6

BRIEF RESUME OF THE INTENDED WORK:

INTRODUCTION:

A neurological congenital condition known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can cause mild to severe difficulties with regulation, social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restrictive behaviors. ⁽¹⁾ Autism Spectrum Disorder is a heterogeneous disorder, diagnosed on the basis of behavioural symptoms during the second year of life or later. High-risk infant sibling’s studies have demonstrated that the defining behavioural features of ASD emerge during the latter part of the first and second years of life. Because ASD is behaviourally and not biologically defined, a formal diagnosis of ASD before three years of age remains challenging and a diagnosis until the preschool years or later is difficult. Milder forms of ASD are particularly difficult to detect early, in part because a broad range of neurodevelopmental symptoms are common to several diagnoses, including ASD. Even in cases of diagnostic uncertainty, reliable biomarkers that detect emerging ASD symptoms might be useful for developing appropriate early interventions ⁽²⁾. Autism spectrum disorders includes Autistic disorder (autism) (both low and high functioning), Asperger’s syndrome, Rett disorder, Pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Childhood disintegrative disorder ⁽³⁾

The prevalence of ASD has increased in a highly populated and demographically “young” country like India ⁽⁴⁾. Today, ASDs have a prevalence of 62/10,000 globally, 1 in every 150 children in the U.S ⁽⁵⁾ .In northwest India, the prevalence rate is 0.09/100 while it is 9.4% in Pondicherry, South India ⁽⁶⁾  The prevalence of ASD in Belagavi was 0.19% in 16-30 months children belonging to upper‑middle SES ⁽⁵⁾

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is characterized by a professional therapist incorporating an animal in an intervention to achieve predetermined goals^{(7 )} It has been suggested that individuals benefit from the therapeutic qualities of the animal as intuitive, nonjudgmental, non-verbal communicators ⁽¹⁾. Reviews of the literature have found preliminary support for AAT for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and positive outcomes in symptom reduction have been reported ⁽⁸⁾ Preliminary research findings suggest that animal assisted interventions involving either dogs, horses or llamas, may promote positive verbal and non-verbal social behavior in children and adolescents with ASD, while simultaneously lessening the expression of isolating and aggressive behavior⁽⁹⁾ Overall, this evidence suggests that interacting with pets, owning a pet as well as animal-based humane education programs have a great potentiality for counteracting child behavioral problems (e.g. learning disabilities, aggressiveness and attention deficit) and for aiding social integration, although further research and long-term studies are required to confirm that animals are positive casual agents in children social and cognitive development⁽¹⁰⁾

Need for the study:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. While traditional therapeutic interventions have been effective to varying degrees, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative and complementary approaches to address the unique needs of individuals with ASD. One such promising avenue is animal-assisted therapy, which involves the incorporation of animals into therapeutic interventions to enhance emotional, social, and cognitive functioning.

The existing literature on animal-assisted therapy for individuals with ASD primarily focuses on the general benefits of interaction with animals. However, there is a significant gap in research that specifically investigates the differential effects of therapy involving various types of animals on a single individual with ASD. This dissertation aims to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive case study exploring the impact of animal therapy using different animals on a child diagnosed with ASD. Understanding the influence of various animals in the therapeutic process is essential for tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of each child with ASD. The heterogeneous nature of the disorder necessitates personalized approaches that consider individual preferences, sensitivities, and responses. This research seeks to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of animal therapy and contribute to the development of more targeted and effective interventions for children with ASD.

Research Question?                

What is the impact of animal therapy, on the social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of child with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

6.2 Aim and Objectives of the study:

Aim:

To investigate the impact of animal-assisted therapy, involving various animals, on the social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Objective:

1.  Raina SK, Chander V et al (2018) conducted a study titled ‘Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among rural, urban, and tribal children (1–10 years of age).’ The study aimed at finding prevalence of autism spectrum disorder which concluded that 43 children out of a total of 28,070 children in rural, urban, and tribal area in the age group of 1–10 years were diagnosed as cases of ASD yielding a prevalence of 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI] =0.15–0.25). Logistic regression analysis showed a two times significantly higher risk of diagnosing ASD in rural area as compared to tribal (odds ratio [OR]; 95% CI = 2.17 [1.04–4.52], P = 0.04). Male sex and upper socioeconomic group of head of family/father had a higher risk of getting diagnosed as autism as compared to lower socioeconomic group (OR; 95% CI ‑ 3.23; 0.24–44.28, P = 0.38).

2.     Kodak T, Bergmann S. (2020) conducted a study titled ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics, Associated Behaviors, and Early Intervention’ in which Interventions based on applied behavior analysis have the most empirical support; several strategies to teach social skills, communication, and adaptive skills are discussed.

3.     Maeve Doyle London1, Lynette Mackenzie et al (2020) conducted a study that explored parent perspectives of the impact of five Animal Assisted Therapy sessions involving trained dogs with their children with ASD. Seventeen parents reported that the presence of the dogs facilitated their children’s engagement, enjoyment, and motivation. Parents also reported that this contributed to gains in the child’s communication with others and the dog (n=11, 64.7%), behavioral regulation (n=12, 70.6%), and community participation (n=14, 82.3%). These findings indicated that parents supported the use of AAT and that dogs facilitated therapeutic gains.

4.     François Martin Jennifer Farnum (2002) evaluated the effects of supervised interaction with dogs on children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), examining both behavioral and verbal dimensions. This interaction with dogs was compared to interactions in two other conditions: (a) a ball and (b) a stuffed dog. This study concluded that interaction with dogs may have a positive effect on the behaviors of children with PDD.

5.     Francesca Cirulli, Marta Borgi et al (2011) conducted a review in which they analyzed the evidence underlying the potential influence of interaction with animals, especially dogs, for human health and concluded that animals tend to focus and absorb people’s attention in non-threatening ways and by and large, domesticated animals should be used as they are those that have been selected for their ability to interact socially (and emotionally) with humans.

MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY:

Source of Data:  Pediatric Physiotherapy OPD, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam college of Physiotherapy.

Method of collection of data: (Including sampling procedure if any)

Study Design: Case Study.

Study Setting- Loni, Ahmednagar.

Sample size:1

Participant: Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Material to be used:

1. Consent form

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Inclusion criteria:

Child prediagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Participant whose parent are willing to give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

Child with other neurological conditions

Child with history of allergy to animals

Outcome Measures:

1.     Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) (r = 0.83)

2. Pediatric Balance Scale( r=0.99)

Procedure

-The caregiver of the subject will be explained about the study and written inform consent form will be signed by them.

Ethical approval from IEC

Selection of Participant according to Inclusion and Exclusion criteria

 

Assessment of social responsiveness and gross motor difficulties of child using Indian scale for assessment of autism and pediatric balance scale at the end of 45 mins of sessions

Results and Analysis will be Done.

 

Intervention               

Animal Assisted Therapy for child with Autism Spectrum Disorder for each animal therapy session for 45 mins with various animals.

Statistical Analysis:

7.3 Does the study require any interventions or investigations to be conducted on patients or other human or animals? If so, please describe briefly?

     NA

 7.4 Has ethical clearance been obtained from your institution in case of 7.3?

 Referred for ethical clearance

   NA

REFERENCES:

1.    Grandin, T., Fine, A., & Bowers, C. (2010). The roles of animals for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In A. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (3rd ed., pp. 247–264). Boston: Elsevier Inc.

2.     Bosl WJ, Tager-Flusberg H, Nelson CA. EEG analytics for early detection of autism spectrum disorder: a data-driven approach. Scientific reports. 2018 May 1;8(1):1-20.

3.     Carol Turkington, Ruth Anan, Ph.D. The Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorder,2007;

4.     Dalwai SH, Modak DK, Bondre AP, Gajria D. Analysis of tools for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in the Indian context. Acad J Pediatr Neonatol 2016;1:555‑62

5.     Metgud DC, Paulose S. Screening of children for autism spectrum disorders using Modified Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorders (MCHAT) in toddlers in the age group 16-30 months: An observational study. Indian Journal of Physical Therapy and Research. 2019 Jul 1;1(2):110.

6.     Raina SK, Chander V, Bhardwaj AK, Kumar D, Sharma S, Kashyap V, et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among rural, urban, and tribal children (1‑10 years of age). J Neurosci Rural Pract 2017;8:368‑74.

7.     Friedmann, E., Son, H., & Saleem, M. (2010). The animal−human bond: Health and wellness. In A. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on animalassisted therapy (3rd ed., pp. 85–100). Boston: Elsevier Inc

8.     Berry, A., Borgi, M., Francia, N., Alleva, E., & Cirulli, F. (2013). Use of assistance and therapy dogs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A critical review of the current evidence. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(2), 73–80.

9.     O’Haire, M. (2013). Animal-assisted intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic literature review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(7), 1606–1622.

10.  Prothmann A, Albrecht K, Dietrich S, Hornfeck U, Stieber S, Ettrich C. Analysis of child-dog play behavior in child psychiatry. Anthrozoös 2005;18:43-58.