Effectiveness of "animal-assisted therapy" on the improvement of the core symptoms of autism in children: From mothers and therapist’s perspective

The aim of this research was to estimate the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy on autistic children. In this study pets were used for educational and motivational effectiveness for autistic children in order to increase the rapport between autistic child and therapist and to reduce the main qualitative impairment in social interaction, communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. For this purpose, 12 autistic children, living in the province of Tehran, were randomly placed in an experimental and a control group. Before and after the intervention program, the Autism Treatment Evaluation checklist (ATEC) was completed by parents and therapists. MANCOVA test were used in order to analyze the research data. The results confirm the effect of treatment on the improvement of social and communication skills, and also reducing stereotyped behaviors. This represents that animal assisted therapy improved communication, social skills, emotional reciprocity, as well as reducing stereotypical and repetitive behaviors of Autistic Children.