asd assistance dogs

[mrs phasmid]

hi all

after a meeting with some people with and about ASD, young adults with HFA and Aspergers we got onto the issue of assistance dogs for ASD sufferers [? hate that expression but not sure of a more appropriate one, sorry]and the positive actions and reactions they can bring

but that unlike dogs for the deaf, guide dogs or assistance dogs for physically disabled people, they are not recognised out and about as the invaluable tool they are

 

My current foster dog and the ones that have moved on have 'worked' with ASD children and young adults, meeting them, overcoming fears, being pulled around [the dog not the person on the spectrum], being covered in doggie drool [ i foster mastiff and mastiff x breeds] having eyes ears feet mouths teeth all investigated being licked from head to toe, been on supervised walks with them, fed and groomed then etc and have had positive feedback and results from both the dogs and the humans

 

we were able to find one specific assistance dog training scheme for children on the spectrum, but the age range was limited to 3-10 year olds, the young adults in the discussion group felt that at that age the children would still be with their parents a lot and wouldnt necessarily have the want to socialise, make friends and go out independantly, which they felt a dog would help them with

 

Does anyone here have a dog that works with their person on the spectrum? does anyone know of a scheme aimed at young adults? has anyone trained their own dog to work /assist their young adult with ASD? would anyone actually be interested in such a scheme?

 

thank you

[RainbowsButterflies]

Dogs for the Disabled are running the PAWS (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) scheme aimed at children aged 3 - 16 which we are part of. They are in the process of sourcing identifiable harnesses which have been requested by a number of people. Our dog is only a puppy at the moment so we have done minimal training with him so far. To be honest, I have formed such a strong bond with him, and he has made such a massive impact on my life that he is definitely going to be my support rather than my daughter's, but we are considering getting a second in 18 months-2 years for her.

 

In an ideal world, I would like the opportunity to achieve full assistance dog status like you can gain for physical disabilities by training your own dog with support, but I will cross that bridge when he is older.

[mrs phasmid]

Dogs for the Disabled are running the PAWS (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) scheme aimed at children aged 3 - 16 which we are part of. They are in the process of sourcing identifiable harnesses which have been requested by a number of people. Our dog is only a puppy at the moment so we have done minimal training with him so far. To be honest, I have formed such a strong bond with him, and he has made such a massive impact on my life that he is definitely going to be my support rather than my daughter's, but we are considering getting a second in 18 months-2 years for her.

 

In an ideal world, I would like the opportunity to achieve full assistance dog status like you can gain for physical disabilities by training your own dog with support, but I will cross that bridge when he is older.

 

interesting to read, this is the scheme we looked at,

http://www.support-dogs.org.uk/AADogs.htm

it actually stops, according to the website, at age 10 and having another dog in the house is one of the exclusions for being accepted on the course

can i ask,[with no offence meant, this is a fact finding thread really to take back to the group] IF the dog is being trained on the understanding it is for your daughter, but you, an adult, are going to take it on, do you not feel that is somewhat 'cheating' the purpose of the scheme in general?

do you have a link to the PAWS course please

thank you

[RainbowsButterflies]

Just typed out a massive reply and lost it

 

The PAWS scheme (http://paws.dogsforthedisabled.org/) is an alternative to Support Dogs and Dogs for the Disabled's Autism Assistance dogs. The assistance dogs have full access rights and are placed with the child fully trained at around 2 years old, but are very limited due to funding and lack of trainers. This is a series of workshops which gives parents the tools to train their own pet dog to support their autistic child. It deals with how to build up more advanced skills and ideas how to support autistic children e.g. training the dog to nudge the leg of a child having a meltdown, having a second lead attached to a harness for the child while you guide the dog using the collar (once trained to walk to heel, stop at kerbs) etc etc. There is also ongoing support via a forum for all parents on the course to share ideas, and support from the PAWS team when you need it.

[RainbowsButterflies]

can i ask,[with no offence meant, this is a fact finding thread really to take back to the group] IF the dog is being trained on the understanding it is for your daughter, but you, an adult, are going to take it on, do you not feel that is somewhat 'cheating' the purpose of the scheme in general?

 

No offence taken at all. I spoke with the PAWS team before I joined the scheme about our situation. In theory, we didn't meet the criteria which was to have a child aged between 3 and 16 with a diagnosis of an ASD. I explained that I have a formal diagnosis and my daughter had been referred for assessment. I was upfront from the start that I wasn't sure whether any support over and above a family pet would be for me, DD or both of us, but I had no idea before we got him how strongly I would bond and how much of a calming effect he would have on me.

 

As I said in my earlier post, it's not like an assistance dog who is trained and then placed with the family, it's us training our own dog and it was always the plan to get a second once Finn had got past the puppy stage.

[mrs phasmid]

thank you so much for the link and for not taking offence

its very interesting to find what is out there that others are accessing

which is, of course, why i took the questions raised to the best two asd/aspergers forums I know

its interesting to see however, even when fully trained, the dogs will not be recognised as assistance dogs for entrance into shops resturants theatres cinemas buses etc which is exactly what my group were saying were the most likely situations that theyd need the assistance the dog brings them

Edited August 24, 2011 by mrs phasmid

[darkshine]

I wanted a dog all my life, I have agoraphobia and various social issues, 8 years ago a friend had to get rid of his dog so I said I'd have him, in the hope that it would be an opportunity to get out more etc. Boy was I wrong, I spent months sorting out destructive behavioural issues (from previous owners lack of training) I then spent more years training him and addressing further behavioural issues - to have some confidence, go outside somewhat normally even to eat, he still won't eat without set conditions (seriously he won't and I have tried everything over the years to just be able to put down his food and him eat it - he still starves himself all day if my housemate is at work - won't eat a thing - it is more manageable now but it was hell to start with and it can still be very frustrating to watch him shiver all day but refuse to eat).

 

In some ways its funny cuz he's worse than me in so many ways - like if someone is walking behind him outside and they are within 20 metres he will stop and we have to wait til they pass (even I'm not that paranoid!!!) but its nice to have him and he's so much healthier and happier than he was to start with (he just used to stare at the floor - now I can say his name or make a sweeping gesture to my face and he'll look right at me - albeit briefly - and he loves to play as well. Just seems to have social probs and anxiety outside, food issues and rigid routines that I haven't been able to completely get rid of (they are vastly reduced) (now why is that familiar? )

[RainbowsButterflies]

thank you so much for the link and for not taking offence

its very interesting to find what is out there that others are accessing

which is, of course, why i took the questions raised to the best two asd/aspergers forums I know

its interesting to see however, even when fully trained, the dogs will not be recognised as assistance dogs for entrance into shops resturants theatres cinemas buses etc which is exactly what my group were saying were the most likely situations that theyd need the assistance the dog brings them

I definitely agree, which is why I have been trying to work out another way around it. The organisation Dog A.I.D. assists you to train your own dog as a full assistance dog, but they only take people with physical disabilities (apparently it's part of their constitution!) In my case it wouldn't be an issue as I am being investigated for hypermobility syndrome, but it doesn't help other people

[goldenstars]

I would love to find out about a scheme aimed at young adults.

I'm 19 and have aspergers syndrome, and when I am at home with my parents I find our dog so calming and helpful. I'm in rented accommodation where I'm not allowed most pets (they do let me have a gerbil), if I could have a dog it would make university so much easier to deal with.

I read about a thing they have in america called emotional support animals, where an untrained animal can be registered or something and even pet free accommodations have to let them stay, just like with seeing eye dogs.

If anybody knows about something like that in the UK it would be so so helpful as I cope with everything so much better with animals around.

[Bluesbreaker]

i think a scheme would be great for young adults, I have noticed a severe lack of schemes for people over 18.

 

Myself, I probably don't need a support dog just as much as a pet one tbh.... I am at the point now where I am comfortable most of the time being out with friends on my own, however there are many a time when i feel very uncomfortable with being out on my own, for example, at night when walking home from work or band practice, and sometimes when there are rough looking 'chavs' (to find for a term) walking around in groups. it does scare me.

 

Public transport doesn't bother one bit, i just talk to the bus drivers!!

 

I am going on about myself here, but am doing it for a sake of an example. it seems i don't have much use for a support dog, unless people say otherwise....

 

so i think it is sometimes a case of if there was a scheme for support dogs from the age of 16 upwards, i think it would help asd's and asperger's and such become more familiar with the common world on a steadier basis rather than having to pull up the courage themselves and do it, like i did. I only did because i dodn't have an alternative and the family at the time was in dire straights.