Animal-assisted Interventions for Individuals with Autism [Paperback]

Merope Pavlides (Author), Temple Grandin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1843108674 | ISBN-13: 978-1843108672 | Edition: 1

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 behaviors, 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'this book is ideal for parents of children with autism exploring options to help their children overcome common behavioral, verbal, pshysical, and social hurdles. It is essential for parents of children with autism or individuals with autism who have made the decision to incorporate animal service or therapy into their lives. This book would also be incredibly useful for animal trainers, especially those belonging to service organizations who are considering accommodating individuals with autism in their service and therapy schemes.'- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders'When I first received 'Animal-Assisted Interventions for Individuals with Autism' for review, I half expected it to be a cheerleading book filled with anecdotes about the panacea of using animals with those affected by autism. Thus, it was a pleasant surprise to find a well-written book that is well researched and addresses my interests and concerns as a psychologist new to the area of animal-assisted interventions.'- PsycCRITIQUES'[Essential reading for families, teachers, and anyone who is interested in using service animals to help individuals on the autism spectrum'- from the foreword by Temple Grandin'This book looks at how therapies involving animals can be used to help individuals with autism to develop skill, including sensory and social skills, to manage challenging behaviors,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 beneifits from interaction with furry, feathered, and finned friends.With recommendations for resources and further reading, this book wull be of great interest to people with autism, their parents, and the professionals who work with them.'- Autism Us'Did you know that dogs may be trained to help children with autism? I didn't until I read this fascinating book. The book contains many heart warming case studies describing how the child's quality of life has been improved through their interaction with animals. So read, enjoy and be inspired.'- NAPLIC 'The book provides practical advice for families considering a service dog. It highlights funding issues, problems faced by families aaand professionals, and makes reference to the problems and benefits of using animals in the community. I found this book fascinating and inspiring. Families and professionals can benefit from reading this book and adapt many of the ideas and perhaps inspire more people to use animals to provide opportunities to assist with communication, independence, relaxation, sensory exploration and emotional support.'- PMLD Link Journal

About the Author

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley; 1 edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843108674
• ISBN-13: 978-1843108672
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #685,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Motivational but not useful March 3, 2010

By Robert E. Shannon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As the grandfather of a boy with Aspergers syndrome and a rabid dog lover and trainer I bought this book with great anticipation. I was disappointed. Although it is interesting from the veiwpoint of presenting a wide spectrum of case studies and therefore provides motivation to the reader to look further it provides no useful information. The information provided on selecting and training a service dog is so general as to be useless. I got more useful information by simply googeling "dogs and Autism" than from this book. Way too general in it's approach and presentation to be helpful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, relatable and informative March 8, 2008

By Julie M. Wu

Format:Paperback

Merope Pavlides writes in an unassuming manner that is practical, relatable and informative. She shares her professional and personal experiences with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) individuals and the use animal-assisted interventions with an emphasis on dogs. This book is a fabulous handbook for beginners: it reads easily, without complicated jargon, and includes many resource recommendations as well.

Although I don't have direct personal experience with someone with an ASD, I volunteer as a pet therapy team with my dog and have seen first-hand the impact a cold, wet nose can have on the human spirit. I hope this book will help others to experience the joy and freedom assistance dogs can offer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Resource! September 28, 2009

By Ann R. Howie HAS

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent book, giving research-based information in an easy-to-read and -understand format. Highly practical in every chapter. Pet chapter gives info ANY pet owner should have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of the Autism Spectrum October 18, 2012

By PAT

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My therapy dog (certified through Pet Partners - Delta Society) and I were asked to visit class rooms with autistic children. We participate in AAA (Animal Assisted Activity) and AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) but had not been involved with children with autism. I contacted Pet Partners and they recommended this book. It is an outstanding reference and a very interesting, easy read. I would highly recommend it for families, teachers and anyone interested in getting a better understanding of the autism spectrum. I am only one-quarter of the way through the book but learn something new with each page I read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect source for research paper December 12, 2009

By pgsm

Format:Paperback

I was looking for a book to use as a resource for a research paper for a grad class. This book was clear and concise with good information on children with autism and interventions with animals. I was mostly concerned with horses and dogs, it had plenty of facts for me to get an A on my paper.

4.0 out of 5 stars informative reading material, insightful August 31, 2010

By Wilse66

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is is very interesting book, its very easy to read and keeps you interested in the topic. The first-hand experience from the author is very insightful. I would recommend this book for professionals who are interesed in animal assisted therapy, as well as for families with autistic children.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Source on Autism and the Animals that Help Them November 27, 2008

By Barbara Smith

Format:Paperback

As an occupational therapist I am intrigued by how animals are used therapeutically with people who have many different types of disabilities. However, it is informative and useful to read a book that focuses on how animal-assisted therapies have helped the author's son (who has autism). Pavlides packs her book with thought provoking questions to ask when seeking out a source of therapy. She presents the negative as well as positive aspects of each therapy and obviously did her homework, travelling around the country (such as to Island Dolphin Center in Florida) to learn about therapies less familiar to her. Her focus on animal welfare should put animal activists at ease. The case-studies tie it all together as Pavlides presents the challenges of raising a child with autism and the benefits of the growing field of animal-assisted therapies.
Barbara Smith, M.S. OTR/L, author of The Recycling Occupational Therapsit (PRO-Ed. Inc.) and Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love (lulu.com)
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