Autism Assistance Dogs provide support for autistic children and adults when they are out and about. Autism Assistance Dogs can help change behaviour by interrupting stress induced responses that are harmful to the person, keep a child from running away, and help their owner cope with unfamiliar surroundings.
*Here's the link to understand more about Hearing Dogs: https://youtu.be/8Eq2bx1qcag
Autism ADs are trained to give Deep Pressure Therapy by resting their head or body on the autistic handler. This helps to calm the handler down
Autism ADs can recognise and interrupt their autistic handlers when they display stress-induced behaviours or if they unknowingly walk into dangerous situations.
For autistic children, Autism ADs can model good behaviour to encourage and establish routines, such as dressing properly or brushing teeth.
Autism ADs that K9Assistance will provide, start their training from the time they are weaned, at about 8 weeks old.
During their puppyhood from 8 weeks to 1 year, they are socialised to be exposed to as many people, environments, and situations as possible. This is so they will grow into confident dogs that will not be phased when in different environments when working. They are also taught basic obedience skills.
From the time they are 1-2 years old, they undergo formal training with an Assistance Dog Instructor, learning specific tasks to assist autistic persons.
After they have completed their training, they will be matched with a potential autistic handler.
