Review of current evidence and future directions in animal-assisted intervention for children with autism

Abstract

Autism has been highlighted as a pressing public health issue that may be ameliorated through the inclu- sion of animals in autism treatment services, also known as animal- assisted intervention. Over the past 20 years, only a few studies have empirically examined the impact of therapeutic interactions with animals for individuals with autism. A review of the existing literature indicates that incorporating animals into autism treatment practices may provide a motivating stimulus for individuals with autism to enhance social func- tioning. However, more rigorous investigation is critical before wide- spread implementation can be adopted. In this review, I explore the current literature on animal-assisted intervention for autism, synthesise relevant findings for clinical practice and present targeted directions for future research.