Pets for kids on the spectrum

@paramour Said

Although I agree with you that you that no one should "force" a child into something, and that these children are perfectly capable of doing wonderful things, I do not believe that Eaglebauer intends to "force" anything upon his child, or at least that was not the impression I received from reading his OP.

Pets have often been used as service animals for those on the autistic spectrum, or as mentioned as a "therapeutic element" for some. Some latch onto them quite well, but if often depends upon their needs and their personalities (and the personality of the breed/specific animal).

Eaglebauer, I would recommend taking your son with you when you go to the shelter if at all possible. It may help you in determining how their "personalities" mesh, so to speak. What works great well for one child might not with another, and having your child there might help you more easily figure it out.

@Eaglebauer Said

As a lot of you know from my posting a few weeks ago, my younger son was recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. I've taken him to a child psychiatrist who has his doubts that he is genuinely Aspergian, but says he is absolutely on the autism spectrum one way or the other. I have been doing a lot of reading and the more I learn, the more encouraged I am about being able to make his life a happy one.

One thing the psychiatrist mentioned, and something I've read elsewhere is that pets are often a good therapeutic element in the life of a young child on the spectrum and I'm considering getting a puppy for the family for Christmas this year.

I've raised dogs before, so I'm not concerned with questions about the care of the animal or anything like that, but more if there are people who have any advice on what type of dog would be a good fit for an autistic child. I've been thinking of something along the lines of a border terrier, and I'm going to look first at adoption from a shelter before anything else.

Any input?

@SparklyKatie Said

I don't mean to go off topic, and sorry if I have, but my experience (which I admit is limited) of autism is finding something the child loves doing, not forcing something on them.

Many of the worlds best minds in history would probably be diagnosed as autistic now.

Autistic people do one or two things brilliantly. Figure out what that is and encourage them.

@Eaglebauer Said

No, I appreciate the input!

I agree, and I'd never force something like a pet on him. Perhaps I should have mentioned that he's been going on and on about a dog for the past few weeks and at one point told us he wants eight dogs

Eight dogs isn't going to happen though!

@ninozara Said

We have a labradoodle (part poodle, part labradore) and she is the gentlest, most docile thing in the world. You can literally do anything to her, and the worst she have ever done is growl slightly at an adult (she seems to understand that she should be more tolerant with children).