Animal-assisted Interventions for Individuals with Autism

This book looks at how therapies involving animals can be used to help individuals with autism to develop skills, including sensory and social skills, to manage challenging behaviours, and improve quality of life.

Whether participating in therapeutic horseback riding, utilizing a trained service dog, visiting a dolphin therapy center, or simply experiencing companion animal therapy, people with autism can reap a multitude of benefits from interaction with furry, feathered, and finned friends. Merope Pavlides relates the success stories of different animal-assisted interventions, as well as noting the challenges of working with particular animal species. She also emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions to the specific needs of the individual and of monitoring progress.

With recommendations for resources and further reading, this book will be of great interest to people with autism, their parents, and the professionals who work with them.

Author Biography

Merope Pavlides is a certified pet dog trainer specializing in work with special needs families, and has taught therapeutic horseback riding. One of her own sons has autism, the other has dyslexia and a central auditory processing disorder. Merope has an MS in special education from Johns Hopkins University with a graduate certificate in teaching children with autism and pervasive developmental disorders. She lives in Maryland, USA.