Most people with autism surveyed say that having a close bond with their pet improves their quality of life.
A recent publication by Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders shows how people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) improve their mood and socialize more when they have a pet. The investigation was divided into two parts and was directed by the Edge Hill University (England).
In the first study, the sample consisted of 326 people diagnosed with autism and 409 neurotypical people, that is, individuals without neurological conditions, with and without pets. The age of the participants ranged between 18 and 79 years.
Through online surveys, they assessed social anxiety with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale questionnaire, where 24 situations such as calling on the phone or being the center of attention are presented, and they must answer the level of fear and avoidance. Other aspects measured were life satisfaction using the five-parameter life satisfaction scale, perceived loneliness using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and the autism quotient.
People who had pets had to respond to their attachment to them with the Lexington Pet Attachment Scale, which breaks down into general attachment, people replacement, and animal rights advocacy. In addition, the Critical Classification of Pets that determines 14 aspects in which the owners anthropomorphize them, that is, attribute human qualities to them.
Attachment to pets
The results of these questionnaires showed that people with pets, both those diagnosed with autism and neurotypicals, were more satisfied with their lives than those without. In turn, they agreed on measures related to pets based on social attitudes.
Pets help to have an active life and develop mechanisms to deal with stressful situations
At the same time, participants with autism confirmed that having pets helped them lead an active life and develop coping mechanisms for stressful situations. Attachment among pets and owners with autism was also positively associated with mental health variables such as social anxiety, loneliness, and perceived social support.
For the second study, 16 people with ASD from the first study from the UK, Canada, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany and Denmark participated. In this case, they were asked about their experiences with their pets. After transcribing the conversations, two researchers evaluated the responses and grouped them by theme: benefits of pets, pets as a socialization alternative, and pets as a tool for interacting with others.
The responses showed that when pet owners felt vulnerable, pets helped them express their emotions and expanded comfort zones to meet the animals’ social and physical needs. This indicates a secure attachment and greater ability to benefit others in an altruistic way, called prosociality.
Not all autistic people need a pet.
Despite these benefits, the research group does not suggest that people diagnosed with autism adopt pets because of the difficulties they have in caring for them due to housing restrictions, irregular income, or fear of failing to care for their pets. At the same time, in the United States, adults with autism receive less attention from the care intervention system than children.
Study 2 participants propose the creation of a program in which people with autism are mentored in pet care and receive financial assistance in adopting animals from shelters. The trainer can also record the benefits of this relationship. Another option would be to organize groups focused on the care of pets, the participants get together and establish channels of communication. Also working in the protectors would benefit them because it would offer them a job opportunity.
The research concludes that due to the social avoidance that people diagnosed with autism often suffer, pets have replaced human contact and made them feel accompanied. In addition, they helped them to develop social skills and improve their mental health.
In Spain, the dogpoint association is the only organization that trains dogs to accompany minors with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The objectives of this project are to help with psychosocial development, improve leisure, the family’s quality of life and ensure the safety of the child.
People diagnosed with autism may experience rejection by society. Because of this discrimination and that suffered by mothers of children with this disorder, geneticist Nagwa Abdel Meguid founded a “genetic library” to better understand autism.
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