Autism

Dr. Leo Kanner first described autism in 1943. Autism is a neurological brain disorder that begins in early childhood, typically within the first three years of life, and persists throughout adulthood.
"Dad and service dog"	Autism affects the areas of the brain controlling language, social interaction, and creative and abstract thinking.  Children and adults typically have deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communications and social interactions.

P.D.D. 
(Pervasive Developmental Disorder) is the umbrella term under which the following specific diagnoses are defined:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger’s Disorder
• Retts Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• P.D.D Not Otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Each disorder involves a unique complex of symptoms and only a qualified specialist in developmental disorders should evaluate and determine an accurate diagnosis.

Opinions differ among researchers and clinicians as to the cause of Autism, some asserting a correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism, while others claim a genetic predisposition. At the present time, we have no conclusive, compelling explanation.

"Training day for dad"

As a “spectrum” disorder, autism can present in a wide combination of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe and children can demonstrate any combination in any degree of severity. Contrary to an early belief, children with autism can make eye contact, smile, laugh and demonstrate affection, and in some cases, aggressive or self-injurious behaviors may be present.

Mildly affected individuals may exhibit only slight delays in language development and greater challenges with social interaction. People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. For instance, they might monologue on a favorite subject in spite of efforts by others to interject comments. As with all human beings, autistic individuals have their own distinct personalities, and more important than labels and terminology, is that children with autism can learn and function productively with appropriate education and treatment.

How do service dogs help children with autism? Service dogs for autism assist children in several ways: Service dogs provide the child/adult challenged with autism an opportunity to safely access different environments which result in improved communication and social skills. The autism service dog’s presence offers a calming influence and provides a sense of security to the child and the parents. Abstract and concrete thinking advance, focus improves, and the length of attention span increases. Emotional outbursts occur less often. The important role of an autism service dog is affording the individual more independence and autonomy, helping those individuals become a viable part of the community at large