This study investigated the human-animal interaction (HAI) and bond (HAB) between a canine trained in therapy techniques or a canine plush toy and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during animal-assisted therapy (AAT) sessions. The purpose of this study is to explore identified gaps in knowledge pertaining to AAT in pediatric ASD care management by documenting human interaction between either a live canine or the plush toy canine during AAT sessions and evaluating prosocial behaviors observed during and after AAT sessions. This study addressed the following research questions: 1. How do children with autism ages 2 to 18 years interact with a live canine during AAT sessions? 2. How do children with autism ages 2 to 18 years interact with a toy plush dog during AAT sessions? 3. Is there a difference in HAI in the live canine group and the toy plush dog group? 4. Is there a difference in prosocial behavior observed during AAT sessions between the live canine group and the toy plush dog group? 5. Is there a difference in behavior after AAT sessions between the live canine group and the toy plush dog group? Participants were randomly assigned to either the live canine or toy plush dog group. Adaptive functioning and social responsiveness evaluations were obtained to compare baseline behavior between the two groups. Participants attended an AAT session once weekly for 6 to 8 weeks. Each group received the same therapy provided by the therapist; the only difference being the incorporation of a live canine during the therapy session. Caregivers completed a weekly assessment depicting participants' positive and negative affect at the beginning of each session. Caregivers also completed a monthly assessment noting strengths and difficulties in social functioning and behavior at the start of the first, middle, and final session. AAT sessions were recorded and behavior occurring during the sessions was coded to note HAI and HAB that occurred during the sessions.
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Number of targets of interaction initiated by participants during AAT sessions
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Number of human interactive behaviors initiated by participants during AAT sessions
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Number of social communication interactions initiated by participants during AAT sessions
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Number of environmental interactions initiated by participants during AAT sessions
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Emotional Displays
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Verbal Emotional Displays
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Interfering Behaviors
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Human canine interaction
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Affection
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Laughing
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Petting
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Play
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Fetch
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Hide and Seek
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Puzzles
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Care
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Brush
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Walking
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Communication
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Name
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Command
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Verbal Affirmation
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Comfort
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Head
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Face
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Back
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Belly
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Ears
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Hugs
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Kiss
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Treat
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Floor
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Laying
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Withdrawal
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Moves Away
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Hides
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Crying
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Saying "No!"
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Frequency
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Duration
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Intensity
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Talk
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Gestures
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Look
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Touch
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Affection
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Prosocial
Timeframe: During weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions from enrollment to the end of treatment between 6 to 52 weeks
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Timeframe: The initial SDQ is completed by caregivers at the first session (day 1) and every 4 weeks throughout the study and at the end of the study (up to 12 weeks).
Positive and Negative Affect Scale
Timeframe: The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule is administered at the first session of the study (day 1), and then weekly at each session throughout the study and at the end of the study (up to 12 weeks).
Vineland-3
Timeframe: Baseline- the Vineland-3 provides baseline data of adaptive functioning and is administered within 6 months prior to Session 1.
Social Responsiveness Scale- 2nd edition
Timeframe: Baseline- the SRS-2 provides baseline data of adaptive functioning and is administered within 6 months prior to Session 1.