Parents' perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study

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dc.contributor.authorBurgoyne, Louise N.
dc.contributor.authorDowling, Lisa
dc.contributor.authorFitzgerald, Anthony P.
dc.contributor.authorConnolly, Micaela
dc.contributor.authorBrowne, John P.
dc.contributor.authorPerry, Ivan J.
dc.date.accessioned2014-07-23T09:13:18Z
dc.date.available2014-07-23T09:13:18Z
dc.date.issued2014-05
dc.date.updated2014-06-16T08:53:09Z
dc.description.abstractObjective While there is an emerging literature on the usefulness of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a dearth of quantitative data on the value of assistance dog interventions for the family unit and family functioning. Using previously validated scales and scales developed specifically for this study, we measured parents’/guardians’ perceptions of how having an assistance dog affects: (1) child safety from environmental dangers, (2) public reception of ASD and (3) levels of caregiver strain and sense of competence. We also obtained open-ended response data from parents/guardians on benefits and constraints of having an assistance dog. Setting This study was based in the primary care setting, within the context of a specific accredited assistance dog centre in Ireland. Participants A total of 134 parents/guardians with an assistance dog, and 87 parents of children on the waiting list were surveyed. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measures were scores on environmental hazards and public reception scales. The secondary outcome measures were scores on caregiver strain and competence scales. Results Parents/guardians of children who have ASD and an assistance dog rate their child as significantly safer from environmental dangers (p<0.001), perceive that the public act more respectfully and responsibly towards their child (p<0.001) and feel more competent about managing their child (p=0.023) compared with parents on the waiting list. There was a concentration of positive feeling towards assistance dog interventions with particular focus on safety and comfort for children, and a sense of freedom from family restrictions associated with ASD. The amount of dedication and commitment required to care for a dog were viewed as the primary constraints. Conclusions Our findings indicate that parents perceive that assistance dog interventions can be a valuable intervention for families with children who have ASD.en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationBURGOYNE, L. N., DOWLING, L., FITZGERALD, A. P., CONNOLLY, M., BROWNE, J. P. & PERRY, I. J. 2014. Parents’ perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 4, e004786. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004786en
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004786
dc.identifier.issn2044-6055
dc.identifier.issued6en
dc.identifier.journaltitleBMJ Openen
dc.identifier.startpagee004786en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/1596
dc.identifier.volume4en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherBMJ Publishing Groupen
dc.relation.urihttp://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/6/e004786.abstract
dc.rightsThis is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 3.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/en
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/en
dc.subjectAutism spectrum disorderen
dc.subjectAssistance dogsen
dc.titleParents' perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional studyen
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)en
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