August 14, 2020
As a huge animal fanatic, the want to advocate for the delights of being a pet owner is my natural inclination. In fact, I feel like the fish, cat, dog, gecko, and tortoise currently in my home would feel betrayed if I didn’t do so. However, in good conscience, I cannot say this because as with most things, it really does depend - it depends on your child and also on the pet chosen.
Angela Pao
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As a huge animal fanatic, the want to advocate for the delights of being a pet owner is my natural inclination. In fact, I feel like the fish, cat, dog, gecko, and tortoise currently in my home would feel betrayed if I didn’t do so. However, in good conscience, I cannot say this because as with most things, it really does depend - it depends on your child and also on the pet chosen.
Pets can be a great source of companionship, and they can teach your children how to be responsible. But how your pet and your child bond cannot be guaranteed (although by carefully selecting some pets over others, some of this risk can be avoided). I have worked with enough families with children with autism to have seen both sides of this coin. There have been children with autism that have really bonded with their pets - in cases I have known, a large pet tortoise and a large dog. One parent recounted that their child was really “in their own world” but their Labrador helped draw them out, at first as a confidante and then as a source of comfort when things felt chaotic. I have also worked with families where parents have gotten their children pets they never really gravitated towards, only to have those pets given away at a later date. I still wonder what happened to that bearded dragon.
Here are some suggestions to help with this decision:
With special considerations, a pet can be a wonderful addition to your family! For more autism parenting resources visit getanswersnow.com.
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