Autism SD for an Adult

**ILGHAUS** · 01-05-2010, 05:39 AM

With so many videos out there promoting tether dogs it is nice to see one with a trained service dog at work for a change. This was posted on another forum that I Mod at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwPIgChIChE

The one thing I don't like is seeing the dog on an escalator - it makes me worry. I have a friend that says sometimes there is no choice.

FuryanGoddess · 01-05-2010, 07:40 AM

My son has Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. While I don't believe he would require a SD, it's nice to know that it is an option for him if things were to change in the future. Who knows what will happen when he hits puberty. *shudder*

**Castlemaid** · 01-05-2010, 08:04 AM

Hi Fury

Just wanted to give a bit of encouragement. I'm an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, diagnosed in my late 30's. Life can be a challenge, but I work and live independently, and couldn't imagine not doing so. I know there is a wide spectrum of functionality among Asperger's people, but it is not neccessarily as restrictive as many people believe.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk about something.

Debbieg · 01-05-2010, 08:37 AM

My 24 year old son has Aspergers. He lives at home , has a job, functions very well, but does not like things to change. The teenage years were a bit rough but I homeschooled him and for us that worked as he did not fit in well in jr high and high school. He does not need an SD but the puppy ( APBT) he begged me to let him keep when he was 18 made a huge difference in his life. I was very afraid of how he would cope when the dog passed after being neutered in July due to unsuspected hemophilia. My son just sat in his room for weeks drawing pictures of the dog. I adopted Annie, another Pittie for him, and he is very focuses on caring for her now, which has helped a lot, but he probably will never get over losing his Chopper. I do worry what will happen to my son when DH and I are not around but his two brothers and sister have all made a pact to look out for him. I think I may have a form of Aspergers too although never diagnosed. I see so much of me in my son

**ILGHAUS** · 01-05-2010, 09:08 AM

I have some nice articles written by some of my friends with Asperger's Syndrome in one or two of my non-profit's newsletters. If any of you would like a copy emailed to you just send me a PM with your email addy. I'll have some more in future copies also ...

Brightelf · 01-05-2010, 09:25 AM

This is remarkable. For a distracted owner dealing with sensory overload, the stability of a dog guiding must be a relief among what seems like too much chaos. Nice to see this dog and handler team. I agree with you though TJ, escalators have always been highly controversial. Even with excellent training, just one brief moment on the dog's part of relaxing/being distracted, a drifting toe or toenail can get nabbed, pinched, dragged under. Very nice to see a dog helping a disabled handler navigate the maze and sift through the stimuli for the handler, to get the handler where he or she needs to go. Thanks for posting the vid, TJ!

FuryanGoddess · 01-05-2010, 10:30 AM

Thanks everyone. So far, my son's issues are very slight. Mostly social and he has ADHD, which is posing the most issues. He's impulsive more than anything. Can't keep still, has to touch and talk all of the time. The only thing that keeps his focus is TV and video games. Drives my hubs crazy because they are so opposite, they're the same, you know. Joe doesn't like TV or video games, but they would rule Shane's life if we let them. Joe is focused on cars. We think he might have a touch of AS also.

Biggest issue my son has is he is LAZY.... SOOO VERY LAZY. He doesn't want to try at anything. It's frustrating.

It's nice to see others here w/ this issue so if I have any questions, I can get good insightful answers.

Brightelf · 01-05-2010, 10:33 AM

FuryanGoddess, wishing good things to you and your son in dealing with his condition. You have lots of courage. Thanks for sharing your experience with him!

**ILGHAUS** · 01-05-2010, 03:45 PM

Small world for sure - I just found out that "I know" via the Internet the team in the video.

Vinnie · 01-05-2010, 04:16 PM

Having worked with children with autism & aspergers, I've known about service dogs for them a long time. In fact, we use to have a member (Gail) who trained these dogs. Her son had autism and at one time I interviewed her and had the interview posted to my website (before geocities closed). I think she runs a yahoo group for autism service dogs.

It's amazing what these dogs can do for a person with autisum.

01-05-2010, 05:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
ILGHAUS Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Central FLorida Posts: 8,296	Autism SD for an Adult With so many videos out there promoting tether dogs it is nice to see one with a trained service dog at work for a change. This was posted on another forum that I Mod at. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwPIgChIChE The one thing I don't like is seeing the dog on an escalator - it makes me worry. I have a friend that says sometimes there is no choice. __________________ TJ Karl's Kids Program Inc Animal Services 2000 Education * Community & Emergency Services Member of Assistance Dog Advocacy Project (ADAP) ADAP Blog

01-05-2010, 07:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
FuryanGoddess Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,298	Re: Autism SD for an Adult My son has Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. While I don't believe he would require a SD, it's nice to know that it is an option for him if things were to change in the future. Who knows what will happen when he hits puberty. shudder __________________ Zeva Female GSD 10/02/2009 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1090361 Waiting at the Bridge: Buddy ~ GSD/Husky mix 1/00 Sadie ~ GSD 10/05 Lady ~ GSD 5/09 Pepper ~ Beagle 12/09

01-05-2010, 08:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Castlemaid Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 9,089	Re: Autism SD for an Adult Hi Fury Just wanted to give a bit of encouragement. I'm an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, diagnosed in my late 30's. Life can be a challenge, but I work and live independently, and couldn't imagine not doing so. I know there is a wide spectrum of functionality among Asperger's people, but it is not neccessarily as restrictive as many people believe. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk about something. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009

01-05-2010, 08:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Debbieg Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Calif Posts: 1,158	Re: Autism SD for an Adult My 24 year old son has Aspergers. He lives at home , has a job, functions very well, but does not like things to change. The teenage years were a bit rough but I homeschooled him and for us that worked as he did not fit in well in jr high and high school. He does not need an SD but the puppy ( APBT) he begged me to let him keep when he was 18 made a huge difference in his life. I was very afraid of how he would cope when the dog passed after being neutered in July due to unsuspected hemophilia. My son just sat in his room for weeks drawing pictures of the dog. I adopted Annie, another Pittie for him, and he is very focuses on caring for her now, which has helped a lot, but he probably will never get over losing his Chopper. I do worry what will happen to my son when DH and I are not around but his two brothers and sister have all made a pact to look out for him. I think I may have a form of Aspergers too although never diagnosed. I see so much of me in my son __________________ Benedict GSD 4/13/09 Angelina Pit adopted 8/11/09 Jake Borzoi 12/3/10 Waiting at the Bridge Eli GSD Chopper APBT Raphael GSD http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1007494 http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/...ee/610245.html

01-05-2010, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
ILGHAUS Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Central FLorida Posts: 8,296	Re: Autism SD for an Adult I have some nice articles written by some of my friends with Asperger's Syndrome in one or two of my non-profit's newsletters. If any of you would like a copy emailed to you just send me a PM with your email addy. I'll have some more in future copies also ... __________________ TJ Karl's Kids Program Inc Animal Services 2000 Education * Community & Emergency Services Member of Assistance Dog Advocacy Project (ADAP) ADAP Blog

01-05-2010, 09:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Brightelf Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 9,357	Re: Autism SD for an Adult This is remarkable. For a distracted owner dealing with sensory overload, the stability of a dog guiding must be a relief among what seems like too much chaos. Nice to see this dog and handler team. I agree with you though TJ, escalators have always been highly controversial. Even with excellent training, just one brief moment on the dog's part of relaxing/being distracted, a drifting toe or toenail can get nabbed, pinched, dragged under. Very nice to see a dog helping a disabled handler navigate the maze and sift through the stimuli for the handler, to get the handler where he or she needs to go. Thanks for posting the vid, TJ! __________________ Patti Frauchen von: Grimm van den Heuvel, aka "The Doofinator" My strong-minded, very loving boy

01-05-2010, 10:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
FuryanGoddess Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,298	Re: Autism SD for an Adult Thanks everyone. So far, my son's issues are very slight. Mostly social and he has ADHD, which is posing the most issues. He's impulsive more than anything. Can't keep still, has to touch and talk all of the time. The only thing that keeps his focus is TV and video games. Drives my hubs crazy because they are so opposite, they're the same, you know. Joe doesn't like TV or video games, but they would rule Shane's life if we let them. Joe is focused on cars. We think he might have a touch of AS also. Biggest issue my son has is he is LAZY.... SOOO VERY LAZY. He doesn't want to try at anything. It's frustrating. It's nice to see others here w/ this issue so if I have any questions, I can get good insightful answers. __________________ Zeva Female GSD 10/02/2009 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1090361 Waiting at the Bridge: Buddy ~ GSD/Husky mix 1/00 Sadie ~ GSD 10/05 Lady ~ GSD 5/09 Pepper ~ Beagle 12/09

01-05-2010, 10:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
Brightelf Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 9,357	Re: Autism SD for an Adult FuryanGoddess, wishing good things to you and your son in dealing with his condition. You have lots of courage. Thanks for sharing your experience with him! __________________ Patti Frauchen von: Grimm van den Heuvel, aka "The Doofinator" My strong-minded, very loving boy

01-05-2010, 03:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
ILGHAUS Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Central FLorida Posts: 8,296	Re: Autism SD for an Adult Small world for sure - I just found out that "I know" via the Internet the team in the video. __________________ TJ Karl's Kids Program Inc Animal Services 2000 Education * Community & Emergency Services Member of Assistance Dog Advocacy Project (ADAP) ADAP Blog

01-05-2010, 04:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Vinnie The Italian One Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 8,639	Re: Autism SD for an Adult Having worked with children with autism & aspergers, I've known about service dogs for them a long time. In fact, we use to have a member (Gail) who trained these dogs. Her son had autism and at one time I interviewed her and had the interview posted to my website (before geocities closed). I think she runs a yahoo group for autism service dogs. It's amazing what these dogs can do for a person with autisum. __________________ Our Dogs' Flickr Albums Scratch My Butt Dog Blog

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