Let’s say you have considered applying for a service dog for your child or loved one on the autism spectrum and have decided to pursue it. Where do you go from here? And if your child or young adult has autism, how might bringing a service dog into the picture help?
To find the right training program that fits your needs, consult Assistance Dogs International at www.assistancedogsinternational.org. This website offers a complete listing of accredited programs nationwide and worldwide. Please understand that you may have to be willing to search out of state to find a suitable program. Specific programs will work with children. Others accept teens or adults or only get clients with particular diagnoses. As helpful and life-changing as a service dog can be, it will not be a quick fix to your child’s challenges. However, acquiring a service dog for your child or young adult with autism may enhance their life.
There are several tasks a service dog can do to assist a client with autism. Here are a few:
- For clients prone to bolting or wandering: Find clients on cue and return them to the care provider.
- For clients who engage in stimming behaviors such as rocking, hand flapping, or spinning: Interrupt behavior by licking, pawing, nudging, etc.
- For clients with Expressive Language Delays or Communication Disorder: Encourage verbal expression by talking to the dog or giving the dog cues.
- For clients who are prone to sensory overstimulation or meltdowns: The dog rests its head in the client’s lap on cue and is petted until told to stop, or the dog places its legs on the client’s lap and is petted until told to stop.
- For clients moving out on their own: Assist in crossing streets, providing safe access to community and a sense of independence
- The dog may also act as a social bridge between the world of those with and without disabilities or a social icebreaker, giving the client a talking point in social conversation.
Thomas was trained by the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) based in Zionsville, Indiana. To assist with autism, he helps me cross streets safely and assists with social interaction in the community. He has been an excellent addition to my life, and I love having him around. Please note that ICAN is not currently placing service dogs to assist clients with autism. They now place dogs for clients with mobility needs, diabetes, and PTSD throughout Indiana.
The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community and Indiana Resource Center for Autism do not endorse and have no affiliation with ICAN.
Nassim, A. (2023). How Can Autism Service Dogs Help? https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/how-can-autism-service-dogs-help.html