| Revolutionary Program Teaches Autistic Children How To Train Their Dogs |
|
|
Paws Four Autism, founded by Kathy Santo, provides dog training programs for children and individuals with autism. Through the program, Ms. Santo teaches children how to train their dogs with the primary training factor being eye contact. Santo reinforces with the children that they must maintain constant eye contact with their dogs in order to properly train them, get them to obey and hold their attention. This training tool is not only essential for the dogs, but also for the children. Children with autism struggle to maintain eye contact with anyone – humans or animals.
According to Weill Cornell Science Briefs, researchers might have gained insight into why people with autism have difficulty remembering faces and distinguishing facial emotion. Early data in an ongoing study by Dr. Nim Tottenham, assistant professor of psychology in psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, both healthy and autistic subjects show that only when a subject looks at the eyes does the facial recognition area of the brain become active. The research team hopes that early intervention with this behavioral technique in autistic children might help to train the brain to focus on others' eyes in order to improve facial recognition and facial emotion early in life.
Through her Paws Four Autism program, Ms. Santo has worked closely with autistic children and their pets to hone these skills. Ultimately many students were able to build their self confidence and increase their sense of independence. Bonds were strengthened between the children, dogs and their family members, and many parents observed their autistic children becoming increasingly physically active.
One of the students has been in the program for a little over a year. When this student first joined the program, he was like many autistic children, and avoided eye contact and was socially inactive. Today he is a much different person. He no longer hides in the background with his head down nor does he avoid eye contact with others. He is now a confident and independent young man who enjoys communicating with others and showing off his dog training skills.
Recently featured on “The Early Show”, Paws Four Autism was lauded as a wonderful program that builds much needed confidence for dog and trainer.
The Paws Four Autism program is currently being held in New Jersey; but Ms. Santo hopes to expand the program to reach more autistic children and adults everywhere.
Interested media are encouraged to arrange a personal interview with Paws Four Autism’s founder to discuss her inspiration behind the program by calling (772) 633-8337. To learn more about the program as well as to view the video segment from the Early Show, visit www.kathysanto.com.
|
| More...
|
Printer-friendly format
|
Login and voice your opinion!
|
