Abstract
Canine-assisted play therapy (CAPT) is an emerging psychosocial intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present case studies used quantitative observation of experimenter-designated behavioral outcomes to examine the effectiveness of a planned CAPT intervention. By utilizing a coding system with typical and ASD-specific behavioral categories, the verbal and non-verbal social behaviors of two elementary-aged children with ASD as well as intellectual and language impairments at pre-treatment, during CAPT treatment, at post-treatment and at follow-up are systematically coded and analyzed. This study took the first steps toward making CAPT treatment manuals and research protocol available to a wider audience. Their publication will assist in standardizing the technique for replication in research and in practice.
Highlights
In the past three decades, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), has been highlighted as a population that may benefit from animal-assisted therapy (AAT), which is a form of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) (Esposito et al, 2011; Nimer & Lundahl, 2007)
Considering canine-assisted activities and therapies (CAAT) is often used in practice without being documented systematically, this paper aimed to take the first steps toward documenting existing practice—the treatment manual and the research protocol used—to stimulate replication and further studies
By utilizing a detailed coding system, the social behaviors of two boys with ASD (Leon and William) who participated in a structured, interactive Canine-assisted play therapy (CAPT) intervention were observed and analyzed throughout the baseline, treatment, post-treatment and follow-up phases
Summary
In the past three decades, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), has been highlighted as a population that may benefit from animal-assisted therapy (AAT), which is a form of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) (Esposito et al, 2011; Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). O’Haire (2013) concluded that AAI “is in the first phase of research on new psychosocial interventions for ASD --- proof of concept” O’Haire (2013) stated that the concept of AAI for certain individuals with ASD has obtained preliminary support from empirical findings.
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