OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a classroom-based Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) program on social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DESIGN: This was a multisite, control-to-intervention design study. SETTINGS/LOCATION: The study was conducted in 41 classrooms in 15 schools in Brisbane, Australia. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four (64) 5- to 12-year-old children diagnosed with ASD comprised the study group. INTERVENTION: The AAA program consisted of 8 weeks of animal exposure in the school classroom in addition to 16 20-minute animal-interaction sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Teacher- and parent-reported child behavior and social functioning were assessed through standardized instruments at three time points: upon study entry (Time 1), after an 8-week waiting period during the week prior to the AAA program (Time 2), and during the week following the 8-week AAA program (Time 3). RESULTS: Significant improvements were identified in social functioning, including increases in social approach behaviors and social skills, and decreases in social withdrawal behaviors, from before to after the AAA program, but not during the waitlist period. Over half of parents also reported that participants demonstrated an increased interest in attending school during the program. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a new classroom-based Animal-Assisted Activities model, which may provide a relatively simple and cost-effective means of helping educators and families to improve the social functioning of children with ASD.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a classroom-based Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) program on social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DESIGN: This was a multisite, control-to-intervention design study. SETTINGS/LOCATION: The study was conducted in 41 classrooms in 15 schools in Brisbane, Australia. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four (64) 5- to 12-year-old children diagnosed with ASD comprised the study group. INTERVENTION: The AAA program consisted of 8 weeks of animal exposure in the school classroom in addition to 16 20-minute animal-interaction sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Teacher- and parent-reported child behavior and social functioning were assessed through standardized instruments at three time points: upon study entry (Time 1), after an 8-week waiting period during the week prior to the AAA program (Time 2), and during the week following the 8-week AAA program (Time 3). RESULTS: Significant improvements were identified in social functioning, including increases in social approach behaviors and social skills, and decreases in social withdrawal behaviors, from before to after the AAA program, but not during the waitlist period. Over half of parents also reported that participants demonstrated an increased interest in attending school during the program. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a new classroom-based Animal-Assisted Activities model, which may provide a relatively simple and cost-effective means of helping educators and families to improve the social functioning of children with ASD.
Authors: Catherine Lord; Ann Wagner; Sally Rogers; Peter Szatmari; Michael Aman; Tony Charman; Geraldine Dawson; V Mark Durand; Lee Grossman; Donald Guthrie; Sandra Harris; Connie Kasari; Lee Marcus; Susan Murphy; Samuel Odom; Andrew Pickles; Lawrence Scahill; Evelyn Shaw; Bryna Siegel; Marian Sigman; Wendy Stone; Tristram Smith; Paul Yoder Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2005-12
Authors: Kerstin Meints; Victoria L Brelsford; Mirena Dimolareva; Laëtitia Maréchal; Kyla Pennington; Elise Rowan; Nancy R Gee Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-06-15 Impact factor: 3.752