Many studies today show that having a dog can be very beneficial for children with autism. According to one study, 94% of families whom had a child with autism and a dog claimed that the child and dog had formed a bond. There is a special bond that occurs between a child and his best furry friend. In recent times, the diagnosis of autism is on the rise and now affects 1 in 68 children. With no medical detection or cure, autism is one of the fasting growing developmental disorders in the United States.
That being said, there are ways you can make a child’s life with autism easier. Expressing emotions, social phobias, separation anxiety and severe anxiety are some of the emotional issues that children with autism face on a daily basis. Certain breeds of dogs that are friendly, loyal and patient can help your autistic child overcome these tendencies and help them to become calm.
Now we will display five breeds of dogs that are best for your special needs child and how different breeds can benefit your child in different ways.
- Golden Retriever:
Golden retrievers are gentle, loving, loyal, patient and very easy to train. It’s no wonder that this breed is often trained to be service and therapy dogs as they display decent intelligence and tend to possess a calm temperament.
- Saint Bernard:
This dog is a big teddy bear. The Saint Bernard is extremely gentle for being such a large dog. Though they can tend be stubborn at times, they are often sweet, patient and very gentle with children which makes them a great breed for families with children who have autism.
- Newfoundland
This bid bundle of joy is often called the “gentle giant”. The Newfoundland has proven to be a great option for children with autism. These dogs are not hyperactive, which can cause your child stress rather than calming him or her. The Newfoundland displays a reasonable amount of intelligence and is a natural guardian and protector.
- Labrador Retriever
Just like their closest relative golden retrievers, Labradors are smart, very trainable and make excellent family pets. These dogs get along with other dogs, people and other pets too. They tend to be very gentle and sweet with children. Labradors are another breed that is a common choice for therapy dogs as they are very trainable and display kindness to all they meet.
- Pit Bull
And rounding out the top five, to the surprise of many, is the Pit Bull. Theses dogs have gotten a bad rap over the years but as most Pit Bull owners will tell you, they are naturally inclined to be gentle around children and are often referred to as “nanny dogs”. They are incredibly devoted to their families and are loyal protectors. These traits make them a great fit for your child with autism.
Choosing the best dog for your family is a unique decision as all families have different needs. However, there are certain traits, that are common across the board, to look for in a breed that will benefit your child with autism. Those traits are loyalty, calmness, patience and friendliness.