"The connection just happens": Therapists' perspectives of canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum.

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
Jessica Rachel HillCarlie Driscoll

Abstract

The inclusion of a therapy dog has been suggested as a means of facilitating therapy engagement for children on the autism spectrum within occupational therapy sessions. The aim of this study was to seek an understanding of possible benefits and challenges of this practice from the perspectives of occupational therapists, trained in canine-assisted therapy. This study adopted an interpretive descriptive design. Six therapists participated in a semi-structured, telephone interview to describe their experience of working as canine-assisted occupational therapists with children on the autism spectrum. An inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Two overarching themes emerged. The first captured how therapists incorporated their therapy dog into sessions to accelerate children's initial motivation to engage within the therapy process. Specifically, therapists discussed how involving their therapy dog facilitated the development of a secure relationship, supported autonomous task involvement and increased children's sense of confidence. Second, they identified challenges inherent in their practice, such as the therapist's ability to maintain a goal-directed focus when including a therapy dog. Beyond the challenges w...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1985·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·R L Koegel, M Mentis
Nov 1, 1995·The American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association·D L Ramsay
Sep 22, 2010·Australian Occupational Therapy Journal·Sylvia RodgerHelen Bourke-Taylor
Oct 5, 2013·Australian Occupational Therapy Journal·Justin Newton Scanlan, Megan Still
Dec 3, 2015·Australian Occupational Therapy Journal·Jenny Ziviani
Feb 3, 2016·Australian Occupational Therapy Journal·Rachel D'ArrigoGillian King
Oct 22, 2016·The American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association·Cecilia LlambiasSharon Warren
Nov 7, 2016·Journal of Communication Disorders·Julia Scherba de ValenzuelaEliane Segers
Mar 14, 2019·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Kimberly R Zlomke, Kathryn Jeter

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