Working with autistic kids

[Kris Williams]

Hi, just joined and I am really excited to be a part of this group! I have been volunteering at a domestic violence shelter with my therapy dog Dakota. I will also be starting to work with autistic kids soon and am not quite sure what all we can do. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have also been trying to find a resource that had some ideas about specific things to do with kids, again any idea?

[Adina P]

Kris...there is a group here that focuses on dogs and autism/special needs. Click here to visit the group. If you join then you can send a message to ALL group members (using the Send Message to Group button) and perhaps someone there might have an idea for you! It's not a very active group yet, but perhaps if you read through the posts and then send 'em all a message they might give you some ideas.

[20xlhzzaoccks]

Hi Kris,
My dog Steve is a therapy dog through The Delta Society. I am a school based mental health counselor and Steve comes to work with me. I have several kids that have mild autism/asbergers. I don't have any severely autistic kids as there is no specific program at my school and kids with behavior disorders have to be able to be included in the regular classroom with some accomadations. The best resource I have found that gives specific things to do with kids is called "Play Therapy with Kids and Canines" by Rise Van Fleet. It can be purchased through her website at www.play-therapy.com. It is designed for counselors using dogs in the play therapy session, but it is very structured and will give you some good ideas. From what I understand, you are just trying to build emotional connection and empathy with kids that are autistic. Many will not respond at first but later will start to give more eye contact and phyiscal contact to the dog and that later translates into more connections with people and the world. I am going to three workshops on the subject of animal assisted play therapy in the next few months and will share anything interesting that comes up. I am going to one that Rise Van Fleet is putting on that will be a 3 day intensive and I am the most excited about that one. Welcome to the group and please share as you start to work with these precious children.

[Kris Williams]

Meredith, thank you so much for your reply. I will visit the web site and get the book. I have had a hard time finding a book with some ideas.
Kris

[Sue Robin F]

Hi Meredith,
I just read your post and I was wondering if Delta's insurance covers you while you work. I am a MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. On my job I work outreach at alternative schools for kids with behavioral problems and I am also the Domestic Violence Specialist for my office. I have two certified Therapy dogs belonging to Therapy Dog International and Bright & Beautiful Therapy dogs ... however neither of those organizations's insurance cover you when you are working. They only cover volunteer work. Is Delta different,or are you just doing it on your own?

[Cindy]

I currently work with a pretty high functioning group of autistic children on their reading skills. They are so excited to read to Doodlebug that they practice all week. I did take him to a more challenged classroom and it was very difficult. I felt it was hard to keep dude safe because much of the kids physical behavior was really random and unexpected. I was concerned he was going to get kicked or have his tail pulled. Soooo I guess it depends on the level of the children. I have been working with the same group for over a year on the reading and have seen amazing strides in their reading levels and interaction.

[Kris Williams]

Thanks for the response. There are a few kids in the class I'm concerned about, so I've been only working with 2 or 3 of the kids. I'll ask the teacher next time about the reading. Thanks for the idea.
Kris

[years-of-tears]

Hello Kris! I just joined tonight and am looking to have my son's new puppy trained for his specific needs. He is 15 years old and is an eloper. I am looking for our Lab "Shadow" to be trained to alert me and block the doorway...I also would like the stove to be blocked..just as a preventitive measure...there are soooooo many needs for autism trained dogs! I am a member on another forum for autism mommies and this is the highlight of our conversations! We all want autism trained companions for our kiddo's....however....the price..is not affordable :( This is why I want to get my son's puppy trained early on! Here are some ideas for ya to consider .....as far as the various needs for the autism trained dogs.

Safety: keeping the child away from the curbs, eloping, walking with the child down the block and back to the home, alerting the parent there's a problem!

Sensory issues: teaching the dogs to apply just enough pressure by pushing their nose or the side of their bodies on the child , many kiddo's seek pressure! Touch when overstimulated...this calms our kiddo's down..an autism dog would be trained to see the kiddo's distress and would redirect them into engaging into play! This stops sensory over-loads!

Many of our kiddo's have a hard time with eye contact and the autism trained dogs would bring them toys and the kiddo would respond and make the eye contact!

There are ALL KINDS OF Physical and Occupational therapies that could benefit the use of an autism trained dog! EVEN COMMUNICATION! using PECS , the autism trained dog would take the PEC to the kiddo and the kiddo would comply and thats how we begin our communication through picture exchange systems....they key is presenting the PECS to the kiddo's....and getting the desired response.many of our kiddo's have an easier time with pets rather than demands of people!

I will get ya more ideas! Its never ending! Gotta get homework done! lol...I think what ya doing is GREAT! I am so touched by people like ya, who care so much and do so much for our kiddo's! GOD bless ya hun! Years-of-tears.........