Canine-assisted occupational therapy: proposed activities for a child on autism spectrum disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2238-6149.v35i1-3e222847Keywords:
Occupational Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, Dog Assisted Therapy, Autism Spectrum DisorderAbstract
Introduction: International literature reports beneficial effects of canine-assisted occupational therapy sessions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Objective: To present activities carried out in canine-assisted occupational therapy sessions that promoted engagement, performance and positive social and emotional behaviors. Method: Quasi-experimental design study with nine children aged 3 to 5 years old with ASD. Each child was evaluated pre and during intervention using a checklist that measured frequency of demonstration of performance and engagement components and social and emotional behaviors. The sessions were video recorded, two researchers separately filled out the checklist with subsequent qualitative descriptive analysis of each child. Results: Twenty activities in which children demonstrated engagement, focusing on sensorimotor performance components (fine and global motor coordination, balance, visual and tactile response) and cognitive (attention, problem solving) and social and emotional behaviors (looking at the dog, smiling at the dog, voluntarily touching the dog, communicating with the dog, frequency of approach and time spent near the dog). Conclusion: The activities demonstrated potential for promoting children’s engagement and stimulating performance components and social and emotional behaviors. Future research is needed to validate a protocol.
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