Social Development of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder During Dog-Assisted Therapy: A Detailed Observational Analysis

Carolien Wijker, Steffie van der Steen, Annelies Spek, Ruslan Leontjevas and Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers
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Carolien Wijker: GGZ Oost Brabant, Berlicumseweg 8, 5248 NT Rosmalen, The Netherlands
Steffie van der Steen: Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Faculty Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
Annelies Spek: Autism Center of Expertise, Goyergracht Zuid 39, 3755 MZ Eemnes, The Netherlands
Ruslan Leontjevas: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: Social communication and self-esteem are often affected in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Implementation and evaluation of interventions targeting social skills are challenged due to specific characteristics of autism. Intensive, valid evaluation of social skills programs is needed. In this explorative multiple case study, we examined effects and working mechanisms of dog-assisted therapy on social communication and self-esteem, by analyzing detailed observations with Monte Carlo permutation tests (testing against 10,000 random samples) and using self- and other-reports in N=6 high-functioning adults with ASD. Results showed significant positive effects on secure body posture. There was an indication of improved self-esteem and more spontaneous touching of the dog, while no convincing increase was found for verbal initiatives. Cross-correlation analyses revealed that touching the therapy dog may be an important determinant to elicit social development in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Considering preliminary results, we recommend exploring underlying mechanisms more thoroughly with real-time observations, accounting for possible gender-effects.

Keywords: autism; adults; dog-assisted therapy; social development; working mechanism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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