Cats, however, do not have such social cues. They don't have words and they love and comfort. This connection with another living creature is of great comfort to people with autism, and studies have shown that the connection experienced with a pet can translate into improved connections with people.
According to Autism Parenting Magazine, cats help children with ASD improve their social skills. Caring for a cat helps children with ASD learn empathy and compassion as well as teaching responsibility. Petting a cat relieves stress and anxiety not just for the child with ASD, but the whole family.
“Cats glance, look away, then glance back again briefly, and what we see is the child then actively seeking attention from the cat,” says Hausberger. “That could be stimulating and developing social skills that are often considered lacking in autistic people.”
Cats' preference for subtle social interactions may make them more appealing to autistic children, a new study has found. To celebrate National Cat Day, we take a look at how the traits that cause some to describe cats as aloof might also make them good pets for children with autism.
Autistic kids and adults tend to do very well in socializing with cats, dogs, horses, etc.
Dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs are not just cute companions, they're also great for helping autistic children with their social and emotional development.
Autism generally stunts the individual's ability to understand human behavior and social cues, which can often be isolating and hard. These feelings of isolation often result in lashing out and undesirable behavior. Cats, however, do not have such social cues.
According to studies, very affectionate breeds of cats are good companions for children who have autism. Some of those include Burmese, Ragdoll, Birman and Abyssinian. Experts suggest adopting a young cat or kitten for your child if you decide a cat would be the best pet for your family.
Best Cats For Autism
The ideal cat is outgoing, friendly and not fearful. Breeds known for these traits include the Ragdoll, Birman and Burmese. For the best results, start with a young kitten so they learn to like the unpredictable behaviour of children.
Research shows a sharp drop in anxiety and social stress in autistic children when playing with animals, compared to engaging in other activities. When questioning parents of children with autism, 94% of dog owners said their child had bonded strongly with the animal.
The Calming Effect of Cats
Says Aaron Katcher, M.D., emeritus professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, “Because [humans] evolved solving problems about animals, animals have the power to entrain our attention. And when we are around animals, we become more joyous, communicative, expressive, and calm.”
A relatively new symbol for autism, the butterfly has been a suggested replacement for the puzzle piece as it inspires thoughts of change and symbolizes the beauty of diversity and continued development.
Pets can provide a familiar source of comfort and have a calming effect on the children in day to day situations and especially so in social settings. Pets also help children with autism develop a positive sense of self. As mentioned previously, pets are non-judgmental, showing unconditional love and affection.
They will remember experiencing traumatic stress, pain or fear in the veterinarian's exam room. Fortunately, they remember positive experiences, too, especially when food or play is involved. Based on several studies, behaviorists believe an adult cat's intelligence is comparable to that of a 2-year-old human toddler.
In a research made by Nottingham Trent University, the findings show that cats are able to determine when their humans are anxious or stressed. Apart from this, they can also mirror their human's emotions and well-being.
Externalizing behaviors like aggression and outbursts of anger are more frequent among children with ASD and can add stress to the family unit. The cats appeared to help the children regulate these problem behaviors, as evidence by the children's reduced bullying behavior.
Having a dog, cat or other companion animal can help you, or your child, learn how to schedule, manage time, and plan ahead. A common symptom of ADHD is difficulty staying organized, planning ahead, and meeting deadlines. Pets require care, attention and a schedule for feeding, walking, cleaning, and even playtime.
For a child that can be struggling with anxiety due to complicated social situations in school with friends, coming home to a loving cat can be the best remedy. Many young adults come to rely on the attention a cat provides them when feeling isolated or depressed.
Best ESA Cats
Consider the Ragdoll, Balinese, Manx, Siamese, Russian Blue, and Maine Coon. These breeds are known for their ability to provide emotional support and lift your mood with their affectionate personalities and calm temperaments.
Cats with autism often exhibit repetitive behaviors like pacing or spinning, excessive vocalization and having trouble adapting to change. They may also display signs of anxiety including hiding, avoiding human contact and being extremely sensitive to external stimuli.
Overall, these studies prove that cats can interpret human emotions, including depression and anxiety, to a certain degree. Your cat will often act in accordance with the visual and auditory cues that you are giving off, such as crying or anxious motion, and they will change their behavior correspondingly.
According to the experts, cats do not understand smiles and frowns independently, but they fully understand strong human emotions when expressed in more than one dimension — more due to the tone of voice than facial expressions. So, unlike interacting with dogs, smiling is not an effective way to connect with a cat.
Cats can follow our signs.
Researchers have found that cats can understand human pointing gestures and will follow them to find food. In a 2005 study, scientists presented cats with two bowls, one of which had cat food in it (which the cats couldn't see) and one that was empty.
Parents with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might not want to get their child a service dog because dogs might be a challenge to them. Cats, on the other hand, are an excellent alternative. Having a pet enables your kids to learn strong interpersonal skills such as sharing and empathy.
So many individuals on the spectrum have a strong connection to animals in some point in their lives. Whether it is forming a deep love for a household pet, or delving into every detail of an animal species, or getting involved in a cause related to animal welfare, the attraction is undeniable.