Dogs may help reduce stress for parents with autistic children

Tue, 31 May 2011

Research conducted by the University of Lincoln compared 20 families who have an autistic child and a dog and 20 families that are without a dog.

The study showed that the canines had helped the families in a number of ways from developing language and establishing a routine, to making use of the pet to request action in a non-confrontational way. Head of research, Daniel Mills, told a Royal Society of Medicine conference that early results suggest that any breed of dog could improve communication and relationships.

Accroding to the Dogs for the Disabled charity in the UK, there have been 1,300 inquiries during the past six months from parents of children with autism asking how dogs could help them. Chief executive Peter Gorbing said: "Dogs are relatively low-cost and low-tech. Now is our moment. People were previously sceptical of what role they could play, but recently I have found a more receptive audience. Things are changing rapidly."

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