Unleashing Connections: The Impact of Service Dogs on Autistic Childrens Safety and Social Skills

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Overview of the Study Autism is a serious developmental disorder that mostly affects children impairing their ability to communicate, behave, and interact. The disorder impacts the nervous system causing disability. The exact cause of autism is not yet established, but the disorder is mostly linked to genetics by various researchers (Happe et al., 2020). The symptoms of autism include; the development of repetitive and restrictive habits, delayed language and movement skills, delayed cognitive and learning skills, unusual moods and emotional reactions, absurd eating and sleeping habits, hyperactive behaviour, dislike to change, and problems processing physical sensations. The symptoms vary from one individual to another. Service dogs are of much help to children with autistic disorders. According to (Starkweather, 2020), research alludes that service dogs provide safety, companionship, and social stability. Autistic children are often alienated from family and friends due to their weird behaviours. The placement of service dogs in their midst enables them to live normal lives in school and with their friends and family. Service dogs provide a therapeutic aid for these children. Animal Therapy Summary The historical proposition on the use of animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, horses, and dogs dates back decades, and these animals provide a positive engagement with children with autistic disorders (Ghai, 2020). Service dogs foster interaction and calmness in a child creating an environment of connection and relation among their peers and family. The dog becomes a member of the family and travels each and every place the family visits. The main purpose of the service dogs is to facilitate communication skills and social interaction in the child. Autistic children cannot handle environmental stimuli, for instance, footsteps and voices hence service dogs provide a conforming environment for physical sensations—the benefits of service dogs impact both the child and the family. The dogs are trained to listen to the parent and the child and through this, parents can comfortably stay with their children. Research Design The proposed research is a qualitative research study on the impact of service dogs on children’s safety with autistic disorder in the hands of their parents and caregivers. The research will employ an experimental design and will be carried out during the months of March and April 2022. The child will be left to communicate and maintain contact with the dog, and within this period, the dog will spend time with the dog everywhere the child goes. The caregiver will constantly watch their child and the dog since their authority will exceed that of the dog, The study will be done within the state, and information will be obtained from hospitals, parents of the child or caregivers, and close associates and family. This group of...