Welcome back to Reading the Research, where I trawl the Internet to find noteworthy research on autism and related subjects, then discuss it in brief with bits from my own life, research, and observations.
Today's article directs stressed parents and autistic people towards a method of support that might, at first glance, seem counterproductive. It seems to me as though many people are actually taking this route to help with the quarantine: adopting a pet.
Cats and dogs can provide companionship and support where other humans fail to do so, and they're non-judgmental in terms of a human's social intuition. So for autistic people, they can be excellent companions. As I understand it, though, most people can benefit from petting a cat or spending time with a dog. This study seems to suggest that even with the additional responsibilities and costs of owning a pet, it was a boon to the parents as well.
It can be difficult, in a household that already has higher expenses due to autistic support needs, to afford a pet. Still, it seems like it's worth the cost, if the cost is feasible. Pets can also help teach responsibility and the necessity of daily chores to children, providing a built-in opportunity for learning.
I didn't, growing up, have cats or dogs around the house. Between family member allergies and one member just generally disliking pets, it simply was never an option. I did have a pet corn snake and a pair of gerbils. I did love my corn snake, but it wasn't soft and fluffy and it wasn't terribly affectionate. So while I probably reaped some of the benefits involved in having pets, I'm not sure I got the full effect.
A final note: the article cautions people from just swooping down and adopting the first thing they see. Choosing a pet that suits the autistic person (ie: a quiet one if the autistic person has sensory sensitivities, one that needs regular walks if the autistic person loves being outdoors, etc) is extremely important.
To this warning I would add: pets are living creatures. When you adopt one, you are promising to take care of it for the rest of its life. When the quarantine tapers off and eventually ends, your promise remains. If you adopt a kitten or a puppy, it's cruel and evil to get rid of it when it stops being cute. If you adopt a pet at all, you've promised to care for it and support it through its lifetime. Think about what you're signing up for, before you adopt.
If you can't commit to taking care of a pet for its whole life, DO NOT ADOPT ONE. Instead, volunteer at your local pet shelter. They always need help. There are lots of dogs that need walks and love, and lots of cats that need affection and playtime. You should prepare to clean cages, fill food dishes, and help veterinarians as well.
(Pst! If you like seeing the latest autism-relevant research, visit my Twitter, which has links and brief comments on studies that were interesting, but didn't get a whole Reading the Research article about them.)
Today's article directs stressed parents and autistic people towards a method of support that might, at first glance, seem counterproductive. It seems to me as though many people are actually taking this route to help with the quarantine: adopting a pet.
Cats and dogs can provide companionship and support where other humans fail to do so, and they're non-judgmental in terms of a human's social intuition. So for autistic people, they can be excellent companions. As I understand it, though, most people can benefit from petting a cat or spending time with a dog. This study seems to suggest that even with the additional responsibilities and costs of owning a pet, it was a boon to the parents as well.
It can be difficult, in a household that already has higher expenses due to autistic support needs, to afford a pet. Still, it seems like it's worth the cost, if the cost is feasible. Pets can also help teach responsibility and the necessity of daily chores to children, providing a built-in opportunity for learning.
I didn't, growing up, have cats or dogs around the house. Between family member allergies and one member just generally disliking pets, it simply was never an option. I did have a pet corn snake and a pair of gerbils. I did love my corn snake, but it wasn't soft and fluffy and it wasn't terribly affectionate. So while I probably reaped some of the benefits involved in having pets, I'm not sure I got the full effect.
A final note: the article cautions people from just swooping down and adopting the first thing they see. Choosing a pet that suits the autistic person (ie: a quiet one if the autistic person has sensory sensitivities, one that needs regular walks if the autistic person loves being outdoors, etc) is extremely important.
To this warning I would add: pets are living creatures. When you adopt one, you are promising to take care of it for the rest of its life. When the quarantine tapers off and eventually ends, your promise remains. If you adopt a kitten or a puppy, it's cruel and evil to get rid of it when it stops being cute. If you adopt a pet at all, you've promised to care for it and support it through its lifetime. Think about what you're signing up for, before you adopt.
If you can't commit to taking care of a pet for its whole life, DO NOT ADOPT ONE. Instead, volunteer at your local pet shelter. They always need help. There are lots of dogs that need walks and love, and lots of cats that need affection and playtime. You should prepare to clean cages, fill food dishes, and help veterinarians as well.
(Pst! If you like seeing the latest autism-relevant research, visit my Twitter, which has links and brief comments on studies that were interesting, but didn't get a whole Reading the Research article about them.)
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