Autism assistance dog

[6] Without objective standards, it can be difficult for parents, caregivers, and educators to make a case for the need for autism assistance dogs.

[7] Autism assistance dogs are trained to perform specific tasks to help their owners live independently and navigate the world.

Autism assistant dogs often perform tasks like DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy), back/front block, crowd control, alerting to sounds such as timers or a fire alarm, medication reminders, self-injury interruption, retrieving dropped items and other tasks to help calm anxiety, prevent sensory overload or underwhelm, ensure safety and assist in daily living.

This uneasiness may cause a loss of balance, panic attacks, melt downs, and an over-stimulation episode all of which are very distressing for everyone around and the individual themselves.

A dog can assist by providing a trained sensory input such as putting pressure on the tissue, licking, and even grounding.

Autism assistance dogs provide this "grounding" by sitting on their feet, applying pressure when the owner is anxious or overwhelmed.