Longitudinal study of rehabilitation onthe main symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in children: Animal-assisted therapy

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is a childhood developmental neurological disorders described with several problems in social stereotyped behavior and communication, restricted interests, and repetitive actions. It is usually diagnosed before the age of 3. This study investigates the effectiveness of animal assisted therapy in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders to improve core syndrome. Methods: This longitudinal study used a quasiexperimental. Participants were 12 autism spectrum disorder children, residing in Golestan province. They were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Then the treatment 90 forty-five minute sessions were carried out by using teddy and domesticated animals over 10 weeks of intervention for each child. Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was completed by parents before and immediately after, as well as 3, 6, and 9 months after implementation of the intervention program. The analysis of covariance was used.Results: Results for subscale of socialization, speech / language / communication, sensory and cognitive awareness, stereotyped behaviorand physical health as well as the total score of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) revealed a significant effect at P?.05. The above results are also maintained up to 9 months.Conclusion:It seems safe to claimthatanimal assisted therapy improves communicational and social skills as well as emotional interaction. It also reduces stereotyped and repetitive behaviors of autistic children.