Children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorders is a rapidly growing epidemic. This, often severe, developmental disorder affects the way that these children perceive the world around them as well as how they respond and interact with it. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Autism often cause decreased social interactions, the inability to verbalize thoughts and feelings, night terrors, self-stimulating behaviors and a broad range of other symptoms. This disorder not only affects the child diagnosed with it, but often affects, and can even cripple, the entire family of an autistic child. Families of autistic children often do not have resources readily available for managing some of the adverse affects this disorder causes.

One of the newest resources for assisting these families are Autism Assistance Dogs. These service dogs come in a variety of sizes and breeds and are specifically matched to meet the needs of the individual child. While out in public working with the dogs that we have in training, I am often asked “So, what do Autism Assistance Dogs do?” My answer is very often the same. These well trained dogs have a vast number of benefits for families and children suffering with autism.

First of all, these dogs serve as a “social bridge” for autistic children. Often, because of their behavior, these children are excluded from social settings by other children. Because a good number of children are automatically drawn to dogs, these social encounters are often increased and longer lasting. These dogs often accompany their children to school where they participate in the classroom with reading and recreational programs. This often helps to nurture increased participation in school activities with both classmates and the autistic child.

Autistic children also commonly exhibit self stimulating behaviors, also referred to as “stimming”. These repetitive behaviors include spinning, shouting, and hitting to name a few. Assistance dogs are often trained to disrupt these stimming behaviors by touching the child on the hand or leg. By doing this, the dog is able to redirect the focus of the child and break the cycle of the behavior.

Sleeping and night terrors are also common problems associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders. These dogs also assist with sleeping and creating better sleep habits with these children. Many Autistic children are very tactile and often sleep better when they experience some type of pressure and warmth at bed time. This often leads them to sleeping in bed with their parents for years, which can be disruptive for the entire family. Recently we delivered an assistance dog to a family in Florida. The first night that we arrived, the seven-year-old child, accompanied by his dog, slept soundly in his own bed for the first time in over five years.

Trailing is another valuable skill that these dogs are trained for in order to assist families with autistic children. Many of these children bolt or run away from their homes and public places. After bolting these children are often drawn to bodies of water and the end result can be fatal. These dogs are capable of locating the child in a variety of environments and terrain. This ability to locate the child quickly greatly reduces the risk of serious harm. Therefore, the ability to recover these children quickly is a valuable asset to any family with an autistic child.
Other benefits of having an Autism Assistance Dog are countless. These dogs increase independence, often increase the child’s vocabulary, and provide an overall calming effect for the child in what they deem to be stressful situations. We have seen that these dogs reduce emotional agitation, help children focus and work harder in school, and give these children more of a sense of pride and purpose by working with a service dog.

This article was featured in the June 2010 Issue of the Baby Boomer News magazine.

For more information on our Autism Assistance Dogs please feel free to contact us at 866.200.2207 or email us at info@autismassistancedog.com

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Lets start out by discussing What is Autism? Unfortunantly it’s not that simple; autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain autism spectrum disorders that can be broken down into 3 catagories. One catagory is the Autistic Disorder (also called “classic” autism) People with autistic disorder usually have significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with autistic disorder also have intellectual disability. The next catagory is the Asperger Syndrome people with Asperger syndrome usually have some milder symptoms of autistic disorder. They might have social challenges and unusual behaviors and interests. However, they typically do not have problems with language or intellectual disability. The last catagory on the spectrum is Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also called “atypical autism”)People who meet some of the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome, but not all, may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. People with PDD-NOS usually have fewer and milder symptoms than those with autistic disorder. The symptoms might cause only social and communication challenges.

Lets discuss some of the facts about Autism. First off, autism is one of the fastest growing developmental epidemics in the country. Roughly 1 in 91 children will be diagnosed with some for of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Out of those children a 4:1 ratio is boys to girls. More than 100 billion dollars is the estimated annual cost on treatment for autism in the United States. A family that has a child with autism will likely fund 3 to 5 million dollars of services throughout the lifetime of the child. However, the cost of lifelong care can be reduced with early intervention! There have been studies that have directly linked a pure genetics basis for autism. Studies have also shown that environmental toxins like metals, by products, and pesticides can trigger or cause more severe side effects to autism.

So with all this said what causes autism? The answer is….no one really knows! There are so many levels and degrees of severity with autism that no one can quite put a finger on the triggers. The best scientific evidence as of now points toward a potential for vaious combinations of factors causing autism. From muitiple genetic components when combined with unknown environmental factors like toxins in vaccines, food, and household chemicals. Timing of the exposure can also throw a wrench into the causes, for instance during the child’s development (before birth, during birth, or after birth) can also play a role in the development or final presentation of the disorder.

We cannot forget about the auto-immune link to this disorder! Many Doctors are treating autism as a whole body disorder because of the brain to gut issues that many of these children have. 60-70% of children with autism have Gastro-intestinal issues from constipation to leaky gut. Many of these children also have allergies and chronic ear infections their whole life! Many of the factors associated with to immunity is oxidative stress, toxins, impaired glutathiane and sulfate, and also chronic inflammation.

There are treatments for autism from intense social, communication therapies, strict diet changes, vitamins and supplements, hyperbaric chambers, to educational tudoring/mentoring, to horse therapy and dog companions! It is a long hard road and the famly members of these children are some of the strongest and most determined people I have ever met in my life! My hat is off to all that you do for your child and for the autism community. Please feel free to share any new updates about Autism from diaganosis to therapies, to treatment and/or healing!

For more information on Assistance Dogs for Autism, please visit our website at www.autismassistancedog.com or email us at info@autismassistancedog.com

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As some of you may know, Rockett is our latest recruit as an Assistance Dog for Autism. She is progressing well in her training and is really turning out to be a superstar. We have been continuing her obedience training and other commands. Her new command for this week is “high-five”, which she is picking up quite nicely. This “high-five” command is not critical to her success as an Autism Assistance Dog, but was a special request from her soon to be partner, Jake.

What is critical to her success as a service dog is her environmental stability and continued success in handling the stressful, day-to-day environments in which she will work. She has traveled to and worked in places such as the local mall, bookstores, hardware stores and other offices and buildings around town. She worked for a while in the crowded mall this past weekend and she performed exceptionally well. This environmental stability and ability to work in very distracting environments is the key to making a successful autism assistance dog.

Unfortunately, we have had the opportunity to see “service dogs” from other vendors that simply fell apart in new surroundings and environments. They were afraid of new people and places and simply could not function under this stress. This lack of socialization and stability makes it difficult when handling this type of dog. The handler seems to be constantly struggling with the dog in order to make it through each day. It is our opinion that a service and assistance dog should me more of a help than a hinderance.

We have gotten some funny looks while working Rockett in public. Not because she is a service dog, but more so because she is a Standard Poodle. Standard Poodles are obviously not the first breed that comes to mind when most people think of a service or assistance dog. Rockett was chosen for this particular task because she had a number of qualities that we were looking for in a working dog. She has a coat that does no she and is prone to being more hypoallergenic than other breeds (her new owners have allergies). The Standard Poodle is also an intelligent dog with a very high trainability. This dog is active with a low to moderate excitablility level, which makes her easy to work with and train as an Autism Assistance Dog.

Rockett continues to improve on her trailing skills in the event that her new owner were to bolt, run away or become missing temporarily. She really is a fast learner when it comes to trailing work and has a great nose for it. We recently posted some video of her in action on our videos page.

Rockett has been a great dog to have around the house for the last several months and we really enjoy working and living with her. If you have any questions about Rockett, her training or our Assistance Dogs for Autism Program, please feel free to call us at 866.200.2207 or email us.

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Choosing the right breed of dog can often be very difficult when purchasing an Autism Assistance dog for your child and your family. Families have to take in to consideration their environment, size of dogs, allergies of the family, active lifestyles and of course the bond with the child. During the course of your search for the perfect dog, you will often find that many trainers will have only one or two breeds for you to pick from. You will also find each dog is trained to do common assistance commands that may or may not conform to your child or family lifestyle. This can often times become frustrating for families, they may even feel like they don’t have a choice in the matter.

At Highland Canine Training we pride ourselves on the ability to find the right breed of dog to fit the lifestyle of your family. We understand that every child’s case is different. We allow families to choose which breeds they are interested in. Often times their decision is based on the size of the dog needed, allergy issues in the home, and the type of training needed for the child. We are not breed specific and are open to ideas of non-traditional breeds for this type of work. If our families are breed specific dog breed could work well in the home and with the child then we will find what they are looking for. Just keep in mind this could affect the turn out time for the dog to return to your forever home. Unlike other companies, the start to finish process for our company is between 4-6 months, not years.
The detailed application process helps our trainers decide the best fit for both the dog and the child. Make sure you are very specific in describing the dynamics of your home, the emotional and physicals activities of the child, and the day to day schedule of your child. If your child suffers from more severe melt downs, violence, and or stemming this is a huge factor in determining a nice solid dog for your child.

At Highland Canine Training we have found that a quick trip to our facility to introduce your child to the dog you have chosen for your home is a huge stress relief for both the trainers and the family. This trip helps to make sure the connection is promising between the dog and the child. We understand that distance and financial situations differ from family to family and this may not be convenient for every client. This by no means is required; it just helps families feel better. The visit is usually a few hours and really gives us a better understanding of the child and what we need to do as trainers to benefit the child and the family. On the other hand the parents get to see how the child functions with their new found companion, and gives the family the opportunity to make suggestions. Families should keep in mind that at this point there has been very little if any obedience taught to the dog, it’s more of socialization type training placed on the dog in first few weeks of training.

We feel that our dedication on treating each client on a case by case basis will benefit the child and the dog on a whole new level! If you have any questions about possibilities for an Autism Service dog please do not hesitate to call and talk to one of our trainers for advice on the best dog to fit your needs.

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Purchasing an Autism Assistance Dog can be a huge commitment both financially and mentally. Many of our clients are wondering what can an Autism Assistance Dog do for their child and family? Aside from the fact that your child will have a true companion with no criticism, no judgment, and my personal favorite; no back talk, there are many areas of your child’s life that can become more enjoyable with the help of a four-legged companion.
Those of you that have begun your journey with Autism understand that the Doctor’s office feels like a second home for many of you. Many children have anxiety issues, meltdowns, or suffer from fear of new situations and unfamiliar environments. An Autism Assistance dog would be there to offer comfort and consistency when the child needed it the most. From appointments like speech therapy, communication skills therapy, lab work, subcutaneous injections, hyperbaric chamber treatments, to chelate treatments the autism assistance dog can be your child’s “knight in shining armor.”

It has been proven time and again how children with autism are more likely to respond and communicate with animals in a positive way than with other humans. We have seen children who struggle with communication and showing emotions who are able to touch and show affection with animals with ease. An autism assistance dog is covered under the ADA laws. This means that your autism assistance dog would be able to accompany your child to public school or special learning environments, as well as stores, shops, restaurants, etc. This means that you child will always have a companion and friend with him. Often times this allows the child to be less dependent on their family. This can be a huge support system for the child and parents when progress in these areas begins to improve on a more regular basis.

The home environment is also an area where the autism assistance dog can come in handy. From having a playmate to waiting patiently in the bathroom for your child to bath or work on potty training skills. Dogs can also assist with calming down your child during stressful events like trying new foods, taking their supplements, or other new things you may introduce them to when the time is right. Many autistic children have a hard time getting to sleep, there seems to be no “shut down” button, or they simply don’t want to sleep in their room. Autism assistance dogs have been known to help a child sleep more soundly by either being crated in the child’s room or actually sleeping in the bed with them. Many times this will give the child the comfort that he needs to get a full nights rest.

An autism assistance dog can also provide more structure in your home, especially if your child can help with feeding and cleaning for your pet. Your child can learn how to take care of the dog and take on some of the responsibility of owning a dog. There are many rewards to both your autistic child and your entire family. Please don’t hesitate to gives a call so that we can better serve you with information on the right dog for your home.

If you have questions about Autism Assistance Dogs or want more information on our programs, feel free to call us at 866.200.2207 or email training@highlandcanine.com

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We are often contacted about Assistance Dogs for Autistic Children by parents who are wanting hypoallergenic dogs. They want these particular dogs because either they are allergic to dogs, the child is allergic, their siblings are allergic or for some other reason. Before you get your heart set on a particular dog or breed, because it is hypoallergenic, there are a few things that you should know.

Dogs produce allergens in the form of proteins that are often found in the dander and saliva of the dog. All dogs produce these proteins; some more than others. Particular breeds or crosses are often considered hypoallergenic because the have short hair, shed little or none or because they have reduced dander. However, it is important to remember that no breed is guaranteed not to cause an allergic reaction in all people. A particular dog may cause reactions in one person and not another. A list of dogs that are know to shed less, have short coats or have reduced dander are:

Affenpinscher
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Bolognese
Bouvier de Flandres
Chinese Crested
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Italian Greyhound
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Pomeranians
Poodles (of all sizes)
Poodle Mixes (Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, etc.)
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Schnauzers
Shi Tzu
Silky Terrier
Soft Coated Weaton Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

When choosing a dog to assist an autistic child or to work as any type of service dog, there are a number of factors that should be considered. Most importantly is the sociability and environmental stability of the dog. Trainability is also another factor that should be considered when choosing this type of dog. Finding a dog that is hypoallergenic can often be a factor that is considered when choosing a dog, however it should not be the ony factor.

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Brenna completed her Therapy Dog Class and passed her Canine Good Citizen test yesterday!!!!! She is now an official Therapy Dog!!! Brenna has been going to school with her owner, Rena Morton, and has been working as a Reading Dog for Rena’s students and as companion dog for her autistic students. Brenna sits quietly as children read to her and sometimes she sits with the autistic children calming them with they are distressed. This simple act can make a huge difference in the life of a child. I think we can all remember going to school with children that had problems with reading or speech, or behavior. Some classmates might have laughed at these kids or shouted out the correct answer to children who took too long to answer. Even if the other children didn’t laugh the fact that some of them lost interest in who was reading was enough to injure the other child’s psyche. Having classmates and sometimes even a teacher correct a mispronouned word can be embarrassing to a sensitive child and frustrating to an autistic child. Brenna, and all Reading Dogs are specially trained to tune into the needs of all children. They are calm and sensitive and more important, patient. A child reads to the dog which allows him or her to read at his or her own pace. Dogs do not embarrass the reader by pointing out they have missed a word or that they are reading too slow. In the case of a single child reading to the dog the child either the teacher or the Therapy Dog handler find a quiet place to read. This is especially important to the child because he/she is able to take his or her time reading or pronouncing difficult words. Autistic children learn to speak to the dog thus learning how to communicate. Once a child feels comfortable reading or speaking to the dog he/she learns confidence and self esteem. Reading is no longer a hated project it becomes FUN. Autistic children love having the dog around because they have a friend who seems to understand their feelings and their language.
The Reading/Therapy Dog is not just for individuals. Sometimes a group of children will take turns reading to the dog. They gather around and read their favorite pages or passages. Teachers love having the dog in the classroom because they can see a vast improvement in the reading levels of the children who participate in the program. The teachers report a decrease in absenteeism and an increase in homework completion. Because the student is enjoying school more his/her social skills improve and classroom disruptive behavior diminishes.
Not all dogs can be Reading or Therapy Dogs. Before a dog is able to attend classes for this type of work they have to be temperament and obedience tested. If they pass both they can proceed to the the Canine Good Citizen class. Upon completion the dog will be well trained in obedience, well mannered and ready for more advanced training. Brenna will receive her certificate at a cermony being held December 18th at her school. Brenna is a very special dog who loves children and who has the uncanny ability to work wonders with autistic children. Rena has decided to further Brenna’s education. Brenna will be enrolling in our Service Dog School in the coming weeks. She will be trained to work in the classroom with children with special needs.

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A lot of people ask if their dogs can be trained to work with their autistic child. I don’t answer quickly. Quite a few people feel their dog or puppy is “just perfect” for Service Dog or Therapy Dog work, but that’s not always the case. Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs are truly special and must pass a series of tests before they can even begin training. I start with a visit to determine the dog’s temperament and the dynamics of the family’s life. If the pet in question is a young puppy I still do a temperament test, however, there is no guarantee a very young puppy will become a good Service Dog. Raising a young puppy to become a Service Dog is hard work and requires a 12-18 month commitment. Pups can start training as young as 8 weeks of age. The pups need to be raised in the home and they must live and sleep indoors. They must be socialized, supervised and exercised daily. Most families don’t have the time, dedication or experience to train a puppy for this type of work. It’s hard work that requires patience and a lot of sacrifice. It’s usually best to have someone raise and professionally train your pup for you. The trainer/raiser would make sure your pup is trained to have good house manners. This means the pup is well behaved, quiet, calm and does not eliminate in the house.
The pup will be socialized to different places and all types of people. The puppy will be taught to be calm around all sorts of animals, other dogs, cats, squirrels, birds, etc. A good service dog will do well around cattle as well as around cars, buses and trains. Your puppy will be taught to be calm traveling no matter what method you choose. After your puppy is about 16 months old he/she should be ready to start specialized service dog training. Some dogs can begin the specialized training earlier than others and others may take a little longer. The question most ask is “Will my puppy bond to me after working with a trainer”? The answer is yes. An adult dog will bond just as closely as a puppy will.
Training your adult dog to become a Service dog is just as demanding as training a puppy for this type of work. If you dog passes the temperament test they need to be socialized, obedient, focused, responsive and extremely reliable. The average family is not going to be able to raise a family, work with an autistic child and train a dog for special work. I don’t want to discourage owners from using their own dogs, but most pet dogs are not the best candidates for this specialized work. It is in your best interest to choose a professional to help you pick out a well trained service dog that fits that the needs of your child and family. A properly chosen dog will enhance your child’s life, contribute to his/her welfare and provide friendship, happiness and wellbeing.

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Time and again statistics have reported that animals are a sense of comfort and a stress relevier for humans of all ethnicity and ages. There is a certain comfort in stroking their soft fur, looking into those big beautiful eyes, and knowing that they never judge you are question anything about you. Pet dog owners are once again on the rise.  Families are extending their four-legged friends instead of having more children. Service dogs have always been a huge asset for those with physical disabilities.  Through our constant research and training service dogs are becoming more useful than ever. Therapy dogs are a newer trend and are becoming more and more popular.  Therapy dogs are very polite, well mannered, gentle dogs that visit nursing homes, schools, hospitals, group homes, etc.  These dogs often brighten people’s day and put a smile on their face.  They have a way of comforting people  dealing with difficult and sometimes life changing situations. With Autism on the rise, Autism assistance dogs are becoming more of an asset for families across the United States.  Autism dogs are very special in that they provide a unique approach to dealing with the obstacles that families need to overcome on a daily basis.  Unlike service dogs that are generally a “one person” dog, autism dogs can provide comfort and support for the entire family as well as the austistic child or other children of the house hold.  Autism dogs, like Therapy dogs, must have a well rounded personality, on and off-leash obdience and be gentle  What sets them apart the most is their ability to track human odor. This tracking ability is a huge asset to families with autistic children, in that a common behavior from these kids is to run off or simply wonder off.  The benefits to Autism dogs in the home is apparent, however, the impact of how their benefits can effect the child over years is still in the testing phase since this is a relatively new tool for these children and their families.

It is imperative for a dog trainer to pick the best fit for the family when placing an autism dog into their forever home. Socialization and the dogs ability to handle high stress situations are a huge part in deciding which dog to place with the child.  For example, children with autism often have unexplainable breakdowns or meltdowns that can be loud, aggressive, and/0r destructive. Simple behaviors like rocking, hand flapping and mumbling are common behaviors that most house dogs are not accustomed too, so it is import that austim dogs have a solid threshold and strong nerves so they can handle these situations and the life style of the family.

Autistic children struggle communicating with people and that is often what sets them off with tantrums.  However it has been seen that autistic children are able to understand animals (especially dogs) more so than people.  Again dogs don’t require alot of comminication, they are there to be loved on, and most importantly they do not reach and grab touch or poke the children. The children are able to give affection (and recieve it) when they are ready and in their own way. 

On another note Autism dogs give the parents and other siblings an outlet for their stresses as well.  There is a certain comfort in knowing and understanding that you have a tool at your fingertips at all times.  This is especially important with the tracking/trailing aspect of what these dogs training.  However, parents endure so much when trying to communicate and sooth their child twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. To me, having a child that you are not always able to comfort or understand is a huge hardship and I have the utmost respect for their dedication to their family. Parents and siblings of an autistic child also need an outlet and comfort tool for their stress as well. Autism dogs can provide this outlet, by offering support, an ear, a soft belly to rub, and with  these dogs you are able to take them out in public for a stroll or jog through the park.  Better yet, you can load them in the car and take them with you on vacation.   The entire family can benefit from these dogs.

Autism dogs can range from high dollar imports to a pound puppy saved from a shelter or rescue group.  Please understand that not just any dog will work.  I encourage you to research and talk with your trainer about the dog that will best fit in your home.  Please feel free to contact us at www.highlandcanine.com or 704-728-9494  with any questions or concerns you may have regarding autism dogs.

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Choosing a dog to work with your autistic child can be a daunting experience.  It is important to remember your child and the dog are going to be together 24/7 and they must be able to work together.  Your child’s temperament as well as the dog’s temperament must compliment each other.  It is important to choose a dog that your child likes and feels comfortable with.  The dog should feel the same.  Make sure you spend a lot of time with the dog you are considering and make sure the trainer is willing to work with you on this issue.  Multiple visits are suggested.  Like Therapy Dogs, these special Service Dogs must be able to pass certain criteria.  Because some autistic children are rough with dogs the dog must be able to tolerate a restraining hug, a finger in his/her ear,a tail pull, or any other rough behavior the child may inflict.

The dog must not be startled by screaming, flapping of hands, or other loud noises.  The last thing you want is a dog that bolts when a child has a meltdown.

Basic Obedience as well as Off-Leash Training are must.  Commands must be obeyed in a timely manner.  If your child is trying to run off and is tethered to dog, giving the Stay command to the dog makes it difficult for the child to go anywhere.  This works much better than having to grab the child by the wrist or hand which can upset an autistic child.

Giving commands to the dog allows the dog to lead the child gently.  Simply giving the come command to dog will make leaving a store or a restaurant a much simpler task.  The dog will walk the child out saving the parent and child a lot grief if the child is reluctant to leave.

Please keep in mind the dog will be a member of the family and should get along with everyone.  Growling, raising hackles and aggressive behavior are not acceptable. 

The breed of dog is up to you and your child.  The most important thing is the dog’s temperament.  Here are a few of the many requirements for a good Assistance Dog for your child.
Your dog must be friendly to strangers, walk on a loose leash, and walk with the child off leash. Your dog needs to be able to walk through a crowd calmly. If you tell the dog to sit he/she must stay until released. In the presence of other dogs your dog must be well behaved and must listen to your commands. If someone bumps into your dog or your child your dog must remain stable and focused. Your dog must NEVER jump on people, family members or strangers. When meeting strangers your dog must remain calm and collected. Your dog be focused on your child. He/she should not be distracted by the behavior of other children, adults or pets. Training should be so dependable that your dog will refuse treats, toys and other distractions from other people. These are only some of the requirements for Therapy and Assistance Dogs. You can view them on our website www.highlandcanine.com. 
Please feel free to contact us for more information. You can reach us at 704-500-6810 or 704-728-9494.

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