The Magic Between Animals And Autistic Children

There is a special magic between autistic children and animals. I have personally witnessed what happens when an autistic child touches or holds an animal for the first time. This experience becomes even more special when the child has a pet of his/her own.

There are many varieties of pets suitable for children, but it may be best to wait until the child is older to consider ownership. The child should be old enough to act responsibly toward the animal of choice. Eight or nine years old seems to be the time to seriously consider pet ownership. The reasons for this is that very young children want to squeeze too tight when holding small pets and can injure or even kill their cherished companion. Also, it is best to wait until they are able to care for their pet. Assuming responsibility for feeding, watering, and bathing their pet can be overwhelming. Also cleaning the cage or bed is a big responsibility and even though it can be a great teaching process, the child may lose interest and neglect their charge. It is best to speak to the child about his responsibilities toward the care of the animal before it comes to live in the home.

Choosing a suitable pet for your autistic child can be quite a screening process. First, it must be the right size for the environment. Consideration should be given to the temperament of the animal. Sometimes children display rough treatment and a small dog, for instance, might tend to become defensive and bite the child. A pet should be healthy and have the appropriate shots to counter disease. Last, but not least, the child probably has in mind what kind of pet he/she wants. Accommodate them if it is feasible.

Our grandchildren chose to have house rabbits. They were purchased when the animals were very young. One is named Coconut and one is named Ben. Ben was named Lola until it was discovered he was not a female. Rabbits make wonderful pets.

They are not noisy, they take very little care, and they are very cuddly and enjoy being carried around and loved. Their sharp teeth can be a problem unless care is given to provide objects they can nibble on. Even then, sometimes they nip at the child. They enjoy hopping around the backyard, playing and nibbling the grass. The exposure to sun and fresh air keep them healthy.

If your circumstances will not allow owning a pet, there are many places to take your children to be around animals. Zoos provide an atmosphere where children can observe animals and not touch them. There are petting zoos, where the children can go in the pens with animals and pet them, feed them and play with them. Riding academies provide horseback riding. Autistic children do not like to have their feet leave the ground, so this may not be accepted right away. A gradual introduction to these types of animal adventures is a good idea, as many children are hesitant and fearful at first. Several visits may be required before the child warms up to the animals and feels safe around them. Be patient and participate in the experience. Your child will benefit positively from the association with warm and friendly animals. Communicate with your child even if it is not positive and enjoy the magic.

Meredith is a retired small business owner and has enjoyed retirement for a few years. She recently came out of retirement to develop an on-line affiliate business to earn money for a special project to help restore old historical cemeteries that are in ruin. The Data Connection will provide the monetary funds needed for this worthy endeavor. On-line affiliate marketing fits right into her stay-at-home lifestyle. While she enjoys writing, the rest of the business will not come so easy. The article marketing concept is strongly emphasized in the approach she is taking. She believes strongly that this will result in establishing a business with a firm foundation.

Her blog can be accessed at: http://aboutautismandmore.blogspot.com and from her website at: http://profitconnection4u.com

Autistic Forms of Teaching and Tolerance
Understanding how autistic children learn is key to teaching them with the same intensity as you teach other children. This m...

Uniqueness With Autism
All children are unique, and this is especially true in the case of autistic children. Due to the knowledge being gained on t...

Autism Behaviour in Children
Autism is believed by some to be a psychological disorder and by others to be a biochemical in balance in the brain. This co...

Living With Child Autism - How to Cope as a Parent of an Autistic Child
If you have an autistic child, you will know that it can be a very challenging task taking care of the child. There are times...

Disciplining Your Autistic Child
Parents with autistic child always struggle their ways to care and teach their children. Some may use the right method while ...

Autism Cause - So, What Exactly Causes Autism Anyway?
This is a question that has been asked by many people for many years, particularly of late, since the number of autistic chil...

How To Learn And Understand The Autism Symptoms
Autism can be a very tricky disorder to diagnose, as it first sets in the child in his early childhood. Most doctors are appr...

Autism and Children
It is estimated that out of one thousand children, three to six have autism. The definition of autism is brain disorder assoc...

Autism Spectrum Disorder- is Not one Disorder But Many of Them
Autism is a syndrome that comes from exhibiting certain combinations or patterns of behavior. Low functioning autism is the ...

The Role Of An Autism Support Group
Having an autistic child or dependent adult is very draining on both caregivers and relatives. Knowing how to advocate and ca...

Autism Research - A Step To Closer To Autism Cure?
There has been much research that has been put into the causes of autism and where it came from. There is also a large amount...

Live Happily Ever After with Mortgage Loan Refinance Florida
Magic is real. Its something inherent in every person. You dont have to travel far and wide to find it. Its within yourself a...

Does your Child have ADD?
Attention deficit disorder, also called ADD, is a behavioral problem usually in children, in which a child has difficulty pay...

A Dream Vacation
What is the meaning of a dream vacation? What is so magic about the word vacation? The word itself is so exciting and is look...

Autism
In this article I will discuss what autism is and what some of the common misconceptions are concerning autism. Autism is a ...

5 Best Packages on Disney World Vacation
For vacationers, a trip to Disney World is always enticing, but now more than ever, people are clamoring for Disneys vacation...

10 Tips on How to Find a School for Autistic Children
1.Find out what kind of support is available outside the district in the area. They should know this if they are at all attun...

The Best Time to Take Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Walt Disney World vacations are great no matter when you take them, but when is the best time to take one? I have many memori...

Want to Stay Young? Try Some of These Steps
These days, the desire of the average person (especially-and understandably- the female gender) is to retain youth, both in a...

Singapore Stopover with children
Singapore was the destination for a stopover on the way to Australia. This was an excellent decision especially for the chil...