title: Effects of classroom animal-assisted activities on social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a classroom-based Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) program on social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multisite, control-to-intervention design study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in 41 classrooms in 15 schools in Brisbane, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four (64) 5- to 12-year-old children diagnosed with ASD comprised the study group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The AAA program consisted of 8 weeks of animal exposure in the school classroom in addition to 16 20-minute animal-interaction sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teacher- and parent-reported child behavior and social functioning were assessed through standardized instruments at three time points: upon study entry (Time 1), after an 8-week waiting period during the week prior to the AAA program (Time 2), and during the week following the 8-week AAA program (Time 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were identified in social functioning, including increases in social approach behaviors and social skills, and decreases in social withdrawal behaviors, from before to after the AAA program, but not during the waitlist period. Over half of parents also reported that participants demonstrated an increased interest in attending school during the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demonstrate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a new classroom-based Animal-Assisted Activities model, which may provide a relatively simple and cost-effective means of helping educators and families to improve the social functioning of children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Queensland , School of Psychology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia .
authors.forename: Marguerite E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: O'Haire
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCune
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Slaughter
mesh_terms: D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires