Review of current evidence and future directions in animal-assisted intervention for children with autism

images of children with autism who are magically healed after swimming with dolphins. Popular television programs, movies and books, glamorise a seemingly miraculous connection between people with autism and animals. One of the most famous cases is that of Temple Grandin. Despite an early diagnosis of severe autism, Grandin used her unique connection to animals to survive the social challenges of her youth and build a prosperous career as a world-renowned animal behaviourist. She posits that having autism gives her insight into the way animals think. This capacity has enabled her to revolutionise the cattle industry; she has successfully redesigned over half of the cattle handling facilities in the United States to be less stressful, more humane and more efficient 1 . The question of whether individuals with autism such as Grandin have superior insight into the animal mind is the subject of ongoing debate and is beyond the scope of this paper. What is of interest is the impact that interacting with animals can have on the functioning and well-being of individuals with autism. Grandin proposes that for many individuals with autism, animals provide a safe haven for positive and supportive social interactions. Of her own experience with the challenges faced in school and in her social life as a child with autism, Grandin says, ‘Animals saved me… They kept me going’ 1 . Yet beyond Grandin’s experiences and the enchanting connection touted by popular media, what evidence exists to support the inclusion of animals in autism treatment services? This critical review discusses the current evidence and future directions in AAI for children with autism. Ethics Statement The author has referenced some of her own studies in this review. These referenced studies have been conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (1964) and the protocols of these studies have been approved by the relevant ethics committees related to the institutions in which they were performed. All human subjects, in these referenced studies, gave informed consent to participate in these studies. Rationale for animals in autism