Autism Assistance Dogs

heather_pyne

I run a dog training company that helps parents of autistic children train their dog to assist them by preventing running off, blocking and finding exits and helping distract when showing early signs of melt down and providing tactile stimulation and deep pressure therapy during melt down.

So far its going really well but im concerned about how i'd intervene if one melt down provoked another child to melt down (as we do group classes).

Do any of you have multiple children with autism who could advise? or ofcourse if any of you are in the midlands and would like some help please let me know

kelly1334

heather_pyne said:

I run a dog training company that helps parents of autistic children train their dog to assist them by preventing running off, blocking and finding exits and helping distract when showing early signs of melt down and providing tactile stimulation and deep pressure therapy during melt down.

So far its going really well but im concerned about how i'd intervene if one melt down provoked another child to melt down (as we do group classes).

Do any of you have multiple children with autism who could advise? or ofcourse if any of you are in the midlands and would like some help please let me know

Hi
How intesting! Um... maybe depending on a few things. All children are diffrent. Some kids dont like being in groups so you might want to watch that. Also the centre is a new place. If one child starts then it might upset another one who is noise sencitive. Personaly i wouldnt do the group classes unless the kids are ok with being at diffrent place, thats not on a routeine. If you really want to do this then dim the lights, and see if you can put soundproffing in the area. It might be best for the kids to meet thier dog first. And it will give you or the parants some time to explain what will happen.

kelly1334

Also what is your charity called? I am highly intrested

heather_pyne

Hi Kelly, thanks for your suggestions. I wish I didn't do group classes trouble is I'm a company not a charity so I do charge the families (£8 per week) so I do small groups of max 4 children to try and keep costs low for the families while giving me enough to live off (I have a6month old baby, 2 dogs and another littlen on the way). But certainly I can dim the lights and try to keep volume low. The children already have the dogs when they come to class either as there pet dog already or I can help to find them a dog privately they can then keep and bring to training. My company is perfectpupsanddogs we are based in Nottingham. Thanks fo your advice

kelly1334

Wow thanks so much.... been looking for someone to train our dog...