Thula The Cat Helps Girl With Autism

Iris Grace Halmshaw is a 4-year-old girl from the U.K.  In December 2011, Iris was diagnosed with autism. She struggled with communication, expressing affection, and social interaction.  After her diagnosis, Iris’ parents looked for activities through which she could effectively express herself.  They also introduced a new friend into Iris’ life. In February 2014, they brought Thula the Maine Coone home, and it was the “beginning of a beautiful new friendship.”  Thula is more than just a therapy cat, she’s Iris’ faithful best friend.

http://tinyurl.com/prm3chg

Pets May Help Kids With Autism Develop Social Skills

Introducing a pet into the home of a child with autism may help that child develop improved social behaviors, new research finds. The study, from French researchers, is the first strong scientific evidence that animals may help foster social skills in individuals with autism, but it also reinforces what clinicians have been hearing anecdotally for years. "We hear from parents a lot that having a pet or interacting with an animal really helps their child's social behavior, but there hasn't been a study so far that has looked at that scientifically," said Alycia Halladay, director of environmental research at Autism Speaks. "This offers some intriguing evidence to confirm what parents have been saying."

http://tinyurl.com/c7fzfjr