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Effects of Dog Assisted Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors :: Marie Jose Enders-Slegers
Ruslan Leontjevas
Carolien Wijker
Annelies Spek
Section Methodology & Statistics
RS-Research Line Methodology & statistics (part of IIESB program)
RS-Research Program The Interaction between Implicit and Explicit Strategies for Behaviour (IIESB)
RS-Research Line Clinical psychology (part of IIESB program)
Department Clinical Psychology
Academic Field Psychology
Source :: Wijker, C, Leontjevas, R, Spek, A & Enders-Slegers, M-J 2020, ' Effects of Dog Assisted Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder : An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial ', Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 2153-2163 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03971-9, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 2153-2163, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(6), 2153-2163. Springer New York, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 6, pp. 2153-2163, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Contains fulltext : 225520.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Effective treatments of highly prevalent stress-related outcomes such as depression and anxiety are understudied in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A randomized controlled trial with baseline, post-intervention, and 10-week follow-up, that explores the effects of animal assisted therapy (AAT) was conducted. In total, 53 adults with ASD with normal to high intelligence were randomized in an intervention (N = 27) versus waiting list control group (N = 26). The remarkable adherence to the therapy program by study participants and the program's clinically relevant effects indicate that AAT with dogs can be used to reduce perceived stress and symptoms of agoraphobia, and to improve social awareness and communication in adults with ASD with normal to high intelligence.