Characterization of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder’s Interactions with a Service Dog During Their First Encounter

Reports reveal various benefits of animals – especially dogs for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, not all ASD display the same interest in animals. Dogs are most common pets households that have and they only species to be used as service these children. They also commonly animal-assisted interventions. Despite key role both behaviors displayed toward might play their ASD, no studies yet investigated this aspect using direct observation. Applying an ethological approach, study aimed explore characterize how interact a dog during first encounter. Video recordings 20 free interactions encounter were analyzed. Our results indicate attracted dogs, but we found important individual differences. We distinguished two main behavioral interaction profiles (one more distal other proximal dog). show ASD’s strategies vary according age severity: younger made fewer physical contacts dog, gazed less at it, care behaviors, while severer seemed rely on smaller repertoire when interacting dog. This is These findings open onto future research concerning importance child attraction behavior presence animal, well impacts child’s characteristics (i.e., age, severity, sensory processing disorder) able improve programs