Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012–2015

Abstract

Including animals in autism intervention is growing in both research and practice. A systematic literature review was conducted to collate and synthesize all empirical research on animal-assisted intervention (AAI) for autism published from 2012 to 2015. Findings from 28 included studies revealed that AAI programs generally include one animal per participant with a total contact time of approximately 10 hours over the course of 8 to 12 weeks. Research methodology is diverse and though limited in many cases, has improved over the last few years. The most commonly reported outcome was increased social interaction, which was unanimously significant across 22 studies. The need for further research is highlighted, calling for a focus on refining AAI techniques, identifying optimal circumstances for positive change as well as individuals who may not benefit, and independent replication of high quality studies to move AAI from an enrichment activity to an evidence-based practice for autism.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding Crossover Effects of Attachment Behaviors with Family Pets in a Sample of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…This was hypothesized based on previous study findings of increased social behaviors with others resulting from AAI in the ASD population [3,10]; findings that children and adolescents with ASD who participated in a 10-week THR intervention would generalize appropriate social interaction skills with horses, thus exhibiting an increase in their positive interactions with their family pets compared to those who participated in a 10-week similar intervention with no horse interaction. In this study, THR participants showed significantly more improvements acting in a caring manner toward household pets as reported by caregivers.…”

“…There is emerging empirical evidence that animal-specific interventions (AAI) can have beneficial effects on the unique challenges of the ASD population [3,10]. O’Haire reviewed 14 empirical AAI studies with populations affected by ASD that included dogs, guinea pigs, llamas, rabbits, and horses as the intervention animal [3].…”

“…While each AAI study was distinctly analyzed, commonalities existed across study results, showing increases in social interaction and communication skills as well as decreases in ASD symptom severity, stress, and problem behaviors [3]. A more recent review of 28 additional AAI studies with the ASD population by O’Haire revealed that the most common intervention animal was a horse (55% of studies reviewed) and that the most common outcome was an improvement in social interaction (79% of 22 studies) [10]. …”

A Systematic Review of Hippotherapy (horseback riding) for Individuals with Autism is the Cognitive Level Considered?

“…Improved understanding of the efficacy of HT for children with ASD is important given the frequency with which this approach is pursued with increasing number of studies focusing on HT and ASD in recent years [28]. Moreover, since most symptoms in autism are mediated by levels and profiles of cognitive skills [29], it is of great importance to consider the effect of intelligence on HT outcomes for ASD.…”

“…An overall improvements in social interaction communication skills, behaviors, and stress levels was reported, however further research with increased methodological rigor was recommended. The recent review [28] targeted the years 2012-2015 included 28 articles, 12 of which included horses, reflecting a substantial increase in number of studies within the last years.…”