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Learning the Language of Dogs Can Be a Breakthrough Experience for Children With Autism

By Santo, Kathy; Exceptional Parent Magazine, Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 32-33
Publication Date: May 2008

Article describes a model program for autistic children giving obedience and agility training to their family dogs. Privately funded, the program was initially designed to allow students at a New Jersey school for children with autism to attend dog-training classes with their own dogs. However, as the students were immediately attracted to the colorful agility obstacles at the training facility, letting students run with their dogs through the obstacles was incorporated as a reward for teaching commands. Through the program, according to the article, the children formed close bonds with their dogs, learned about consistency as well as the determination required to accomplish a common goal, and gained mobility and motor control. Following the success of this project, another in-school dog-training program for children with autism has been started in New Jersey.
Published by: EP Global Communications   (Website:http://www.eparent.com)


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