Use of assistance and therapy dogs for children with autism spectrum disorders: A critical review of the current evidence

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Volumn 19, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 73-80

  Berry, Alessandra ^a   Borgi, Marta ^a   Francia, Nadia ^a   Alleva, Enrico ^a   Cirulli, Francesca ^a  

^a ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITÀ   (Italy)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

AUTISM; CHILD WELFARE; DOG; FAMILY; HUMAN; LANGUAGE; NONHUMAN; PRIORITY JOURNAL; REVIEW; SOCIAL BEHAVIOR; SOCIAL INTERACTION; THERAPY EFFECT;

ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY; ANIMALS; CHILD; CHILD DEVELOPMENT DISORDERS, PERVASIVE; DOGS; HUMANS; LANGUAGE; SOCIAL BEHAVIOR;

EID: 84874025177     PISSN: 10755535     EISSN: 15577708     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2011.0835     Document Type: Review

References (74)

1. Kolvin I. Studies in the childhood psychoses. I. Diagnostic criteria and classification. Br J Psychiatry 1971;118:381-384
2. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Washington: American Psychiatric Association, 1994
3. Fombonne E. Epidemiology of pervasive developmental disorders. Pediatr Res 2009;65:591-598
4. Lord C. Epidemiology: How common is autism? Nature 2011;474:166-168
5. Baron-Cohen S, Lombardo MV, Auyeung B, et al. Why are autism spectrum conditions more prevalent in males? PLoS Biol 2011;9:e1001081
6. Bale TL, Baram TZ, Brown AS, et al. Early life programming and neurodevelopmental disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2010;68: 314-319
7. World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases: Diagnostic Criteria for Research, 10th ed. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1993
8. Abrahams BS, Geschwind DH. Advances in autism genetics: On the threshold of a new neurobiology. Nature Rev 2008; 9:341-355
9. O'Roak BJ, State MW. Autism genetics: Strategies, challenges, and opportunities. Autism Res 2008;1:4-17
10. State MW. The genetics of child psychiatric disorders: Focus on autism and Tourette syndrome. Neuron 2010;68:254-269
11. Veenstra-Vanderweele J, Christian SL, Cook EH, Jr. Autism as a paradigmatic complex genetic disorder. Ann Rev Genom Hum Genetics 2004;5:379-405
12. Muhle R, Trentacoste SV, Rapin I. The genetics of autism. Pediatrics 2004;113:e472-e486
13. Patterson PH. Maternal infection and immune involvement in autism. Trends Molec Med 2011;17:389-394
14. Scherer SW, Dawson G. Risk factors for autism: Translating genomic discoveries into diagnostics. Hum Genetics 2011; 130:123-148
15. Shelton JF, Tancredi DJ, Hertz-Picciotto I. Independent and dependent contributions of advanced maternal and paternal ages to autism risk. Autism Res 2010;3:30-39
16. Rogers SJ, Vismara LA. Evidence-based comprehensive treatments for early autism. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 2008;37:8-38
17. Myers SM, Johnson CP. Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics 2007;120:1162-1182
18. Reichow B. Overview of meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2012;42:512-520
19. Rogers S. Neuropsychology of autism in young children and its implications for early intervention. Mental Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev 1998;4:104-112
20. Baranek GT. Efficacy of sensory and motor interventions for children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2002;32:397-422
21. Cotugno AJ. Social competence and social skills training and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2009;39:1268-1277
22. Granpeesheh D, Tarbox J, Dixon DR. Applied behavior analytic interventions for children with autism: A description and review of treatment research. Ann Clin Psychiatry 2009; 21:162-173
23. Ospina MB, Krebs Seida J, Clark B, et al. Behavioural and developmental interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A clinical systematic review. PloS One 2008;3:e3755
24. Leskovec TJ, Rowles BM, Findling RL. Pharmacological treatment options for autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents. Harvard Rev Psychiatry 2008;16:97-112
25. Lovaas OI. Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. J Consult Clin Psychol 1987;55:3-9
26. Vismara LA, Rogers SJ. Behavioral treatments in autism spectrum disorder: What do we know? Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2010;6:447-468
27. Solomon O. What a dog can do: Children with autism and therapy dogs in social interaction. ETHOS J Society Psychol Anthropol 2010;38:143-166
28. Sams MJ, Fortney EV, Willenbring S. Occupational therapy incorporating animals for children with autism: A pilot investigation. Am J Occup Ther 2006;60:268-274
29. Redefer LA, Goodman JF. Brief report: Pet-facilitated therapy with autistic children. J Autism Dev Disord 1989;19: 461-467
30. Rogers S, Herbison J, Lewis H, et al. An approach for enhancing the symbolic, communicative, and interpersonal functioning of young children with autism and severe emotional handicaps. J Div Early Child 1986;10:135-148
31. Smith M, Rogers S, Dawson G. The Early Start Denver Model: A comprehensive early intervention approach for toddlers with autism. In: Handleman JS, Harris SL, eds. Preschool Education Programs for Children with Autism. Austin: Pro-Ed Corporation, 2008:65-101
32. Friedmann E, Son H. The human-companion animal bond: How humans benefit. Vet Clin North Am 2009; 39:293-326
33. Cirulli F, Borgi M, Berry A, et al. Animal-Assisted-Interventions as innovative tools for mental health. Ann Istit Superiore Sanita' 2011;47:341-348
34. Mader B, Hart LA, Bergin B. Social acknowledgments for children with disabilities: Effects of service dogs. Child Dev 1989;60:1529-1534
35. Eddy J, Hart LA, Boltz RP. The effects of service dogs on social acknowledgments of people in wheelchairs. J Psychol 1988;122:39-45
36. Davis BW, Nattrass K, O'Brien S, et al. Assistance dog placement in the pediatric population: Benefits, risks, and recommendations for future application. Anthrozoös 2004; 17:130-145
37. Camp MM. The use of service dogs as an adaptive strategy: A qualitative study. Am J Occup Ther 2001;55:509-517
38. Allen K, Blascovich J. The value of service dogs for people with severe ambulatory disabilities: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1996;275:1001-1006
39. Serpell J. In the Company of Animals: A Study of Human-Animal Relationships. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996
40. Burrows KE, Adams CL. Challenges of service-dog ownership for families with autistic children: Lessons for veterinary practitioners. J Vet Med Educ 2008;35:559-566
41. Burrows K, Adams C, Spiers J. Sentinels of safety: Service dogs ensure safety and enhance freedom and well-being for families with autistic children. Qual Health Res 2008;18: 1642-1649
42. Viau R, Arsenault-Lapierre G, Fecteau S, et al. Effect of service dogs on salivary cortisol secretion in autistic children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010;35:1187-1193
43. Martin F, Farnum J. Animal-assisted therapy for children with pervasive developmental disorders. West J Nurs Res 2002;24:657-670
44. Silva K, Correia R, Lima M, et al. Can dogs prime autistic children for therapy? Evidence from a single case study. J Altern Complement Med 2011;17:655-659
45. McNicholas J, Collis GM. Dogs as catalysts for social interactions: Robustness of the effect. Br J Psychol 2000;91:61-70
46. Kellert SR. Affective, cognitive and evaluative perceptions of animals. In: Altman I, Wohlwill J, eds. Behavior and the Natural Environment. New York: Plenum Publishing Corporation, 1993:241-267
47. DeSchriver M, Riddick C. Effects of watching aquariums on elders' stress. Anthrozoös 1990;4:44-48
48. Katcher AH, Friedmann E, Beck AM, et al. Looking, talking and blood pressure: The physiological consequences of interaction with the living environment. In: Katcher AH, Beck AM, eds. New Perspectives on Our Lives with Companion Animals. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1983:351-359
49. Esteves WS, Stokes T. Social effects of a dog's presence on children with disabilities. Anthrozoös 2008;21:5-15
50. Limond JA, Bradshaw JWS, Cormack KFM. Behavior of children with learning disabilities interacting with a therapy dog. Anthrozoös 1997;10:84-89
51. Friesen L. Exploring animal-assisted programs with children in school and therapeutic contexts. Early Childhood Educ J 2010;37:261-267
52. Odendaal JS, Meintjes RA. Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. Vet J 2003; 165:296-301
53. Barker SB, Knisely JS, McCain NL, et al. Exploratory study of stress buffering response patterns from interaction with a therapy dog. Anthrozoös 2010;23:79-91
54. Allen KM, Blascovich J, Tomaka J, et al. Presence of human friends and pet dogs as moderators of autonomic responses to stress in women. J Personality Soc Psychol 1991;61: 582-589
55. Allen K, Shykoff BE, Izzo JL Jr. Pet ownership, but not ace inhibitor therapy, blunts home blood pressure responses to mental stress. Hypertension 2001;38:815-820
56. Friedmann E, Locker B, Lockwood R. Perception of animals and cardiovascular responses during verbalization with an animal present. Anthrozoös 1993;6:115-134
57. Friedmann E, Thomas S, Cook L, et al. A friendly dog as potential moderator of cardiovascular response to speech in older hypertensives. Anthrozoös 2007;20:51-63
58. Allen K, Blascovich J, Mendes WB. Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: The truth about cats and dogs. Psychosom Med 2002;64: 727-739
59. Phetrasuwan S, Shandor Miles M. Parenting stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. J Spec Pediatr Nurs 2009;14:157-165
60. Abbeduto L, Seltzer MM, Shattuck P, et al. Psychological well-being and coping in mothers of youths with autism, Down syndrome, or fragile X syndrome. Am J Ment Retard 2004;109:237-254
61. Briskin H, Liptak GS. Helping families with children with developmental disabilities. Pediatr Ann 1995;24:262-266
62. Liptak GS, Orlando M, Yingling JT, et al. Satisfaction with primary health care received by families of children with developmental disabilities. J Pediatr Health Care 2006;20: 245-252
63. Estes A, Munson J, Dawson G, et al. Parenting stress and psychological functioning among mothers of preschool children with autism and developmental delay. Autism 2009;13:375-387
64. Sivberg B. Family system and coping behaviors: A comparison between parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders and parents with non-autistic children. Autism 2002;6:397-409
65. Rogers SJ, Ozonoff S. Annotation: What do we know about sensory dysfunction in autism? A critical review of the empirical evidence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry Allied Discipl 2005;46:1255-1268
66. Turner M. Annotation: Repetitive behaviour in autism. A review of psychological research. J Child Psychol Psychiatry Allied Discipl 1999;40:839-849
67. Leekam SR, Nieto C, Libby SJ, et al. Describing the sensory abnormalities of children and adults with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2007;37:894-910
68. Wiggins LD, Robins DL, Bakeman R, et al. Brief report: Sensory abnormalities as distinguishing symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in young children. J Autism Dev Disord 2009;39:1087-1091
69. Klintwall L, Holm A, Eriksson M, et al. Sensory abnormalities in autism: A brief report. Res Dev Disabil 2011;32: 795-800
70. Young RL, Brewer N, Pattison C. Parental identification of early behavioural abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. Autism 2003;7:125-143
71. Ozonoff S, Iosif AM, Baguio F, et al. A prospective study of the emergence of early behavioral signs of autism. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010;49:256-266
72. Gray KM, Tonge BJ. Are there early features of autism in infants and preschool childreñJ Paediatr Child Health 2001;37:221-226
73. Dawson G. Early behavioral intervention, brain plasticity, and the prevention of autism spectrum disorder. Dev Psychopathol 2008;20:775-803
74. Prothmann A, Albrecht K, Dietrich S, et al. Analysis of child-dog play behavior in child psychiatry. AnthrozoÖs 2005;18:43-58