Animals, autism and acceptance. Peta was one of my first real friends as a child. I could talk to her, play with her. She always listened to me, knew when I was upset, played with me. I could understand what she wanted, her feelings, her needs. We could relax together.
However I could never go to school with her. She was not a human. She was a budgerigar. I was 8 and my mum bought her for me for Christmas. She hoped a budgie would understand me better than others did.
She did.
Life to me was stressful, though I probably did not realise it knowing no other life. I struggled to understand unwritten rules, requirements, people.
I did not fit in, was excluded, bullied at school. Like so many other autistic people, estimated 75%, just because I was different.
For a lot of my life budgies have been important friends, to speak to, feed, fuss. Other people have dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils etc. Fish can be relaxing to watch. Animals are considered to be support animals for autistic people. More on that later.
Why so?
For autistic people the world can be a confusing place to navigate, with so many unwritten rules and expectations. Body and verbal language to interpret and react to ‘correctly’ to fit in.
Fail and you are seen as odd, stupid, anti-social and so much more. Fail to give ‘correct’ responses and you can get sharp reactions from others. You learn to act, ‘mask’, not be yourself, not contribute when you want, out of fear of ridicule or anger, because of how you said it, or what you say is not wanted. Or processed too late in the conversation to fit in, leading to frustration.
How do animals help
Let’s start from their expectations. They want love, food, company, acceptance as they are.
What do they give?
Unconditional love, ready to listen (our family dogs have listened adoringly to anything we said) and company. They sense when you are upset.
They don’t expect conversation, accept tears or silence, even cats who I know can be aloof. Their communication is clear, no hidden agenda. I think of our family golden retrievers, they made it clear when they were hungry, wanted walks, go to sleep, or just get love.
Their role as helping animals
They are just there, knowing when to lie on someone to provide pressure to reduce stress levels, provide reasons to keep to daily routines. Stroking animals is known to be therapeutic. Watching fish can be fun to.
Access to animals
For those who can have pets. Also ideas when it is not possible to keep pets, or some animals cannot be kept at home.
- Pets
Dogs, cats, birds, fish, and many others. This teaches responsibility too.
- Helping animals
Like guide dogs, trained to understand and respond to needs. These are often dogs but I have heard of cats being used.
- Petting farms
Feeding, stroking and just watching them.
- Horse riding
On a TV programme I saw an autistic girl being taken to a horse riding stables. She did chose not to ride but enjoyed stroking the horse. An unspoken bond had been formed.
- Animal experiences/ Animal sanctuaries
Swimming with dolphins, day experiences in zoos or other suitable places. Helping out with tasks, cleaning out, brushing, relaxing, hands on. Limited or nonverbal communication is accepted.
- Petsitting
Helping look after other people’s pets. This will provide hands on knowledge.
- On screen animals
Watching videos of animals doing funny things, or relaxing images of fish on a coral reef (yes I’ve found those). Or listening to bird sounds. They are fun.
The results
Relaxation gained from:
- Fixed routines
- No small talk expected, but solid talk, part of helping
- Acceptance of you as you are
- Repetitive actions – grooming, stroking, focus on job
- Clear communication, unconditional love from animals
- Listening – animals listen, don’t condemn crying and outbursts as being over the top.
- Learning responsibilities – feeding, excercising, cleaning etc
Final word
Accept animals as an important part of helping autistic people to relax, cope with stress and be themselves. Even if you do not understand why it helps, accept it, work with it. It will help all parties.
