Helping Your Child With Autism Adjust To A New Pet

Adding a new furry friend to the family is an exciting occasion. Pets can bring comfort, emotional connection, companionship, and joy to the home. However, bringing an animal home is also a monumental household change that is going to take some adjustment. You may imagine a slow-motion montage full of happy child/pet bonding moments, but don’t expect that to take place instantly. 

Your child may be over the moon at the new addition, or they may seem anxious and uncomfortable with all of the changes that will inevitably come with a pet. Both reactions are okay! There is a lot to think about before bringing home a pet, but by considering your child’s needs and planning for different possibilities, you can feel better prepared to embark on this new adventure. 

Consider Sensory Compatibility 

When deciding what kind of pet to bring home, it’s a good idea to consider your child’s specific sensory needs. Animals come with sounds, smells, and unpredictable behavior. Barking, meowing, even something as simple as their little paws click-clacking on the hardwood floor can create overwhelm. If your child has high sensory sensitivities, a dog that’s always in their space or a cat with a smelly litter box may not be your first choice. On the other hand, a calmer animal may provide a type of sensory input your child enjoys. It all depends on your child and what works best for them. Even a child who loves animals and has been fine around other people’s pets may feel differently when it’s in their own home all of the time. 

Sensory considerations aren’t necessarily dealbreakers, they are just an important component to keep in mind, whether it alters your decision completely, narrows down the options, or gives insight on the correct training needed for the animal.

Prepare In Advance

Many children with autism thrive on routine and predictability, and adding a new pet is sure to disrupt the status quo. Instead of bringing home a surprise pet, it may be a better idea to discuss the new addition with your child well in advance of bringing it home. If you’re able to visit the animal before it’s ready to move in, that’s a great way to introduce them and test compatibility. If not, show videos and pictures of the animal to your child. Run through what will change once the animal arrives, including where it will eat, sleep, be allowed, and so on. Include your child in pre-planning activities, like shopping for supplies or choosing a name. A visual countdown is a fun and helpful way to lead up to the big day. Be sure to discuss expectations, and explain what the first few days or weeks may look like as everyone gets adjusted to the change. 

Don’t Try To Force An Immediate Bond

As much as you need to prepare your child for a new pet, you also need to prepare yourself and your own expectations. Don’t feel disappointed if there’s not an immediate magical bond between the two. Understand that it may take some time for both the animal and your child to adjust to all of the newness, and allow that relationship to develop naturally. Instead of forcing your child to hold or pet the animal, give them a choice and don’t push them if they aren’t comfortable at the moment. They may get there on their own, and they may not. It may take a day, or it may take months. They may bond to become inseparable, or they may just exist alongside each other. There is no rulebook for integrating a pet into your household. The “right” way is the way that works best for your family. 

Boundaries For All

Boundaries are important, both for the pet and your child. When possible, training can take your child’s boundaries into consideration, such as discouraging jumping or excessive barking. But your child also needs to be taught about an animal’s boundaries, both for the animal’s comfort and the child’s safety. Teach them how to use gentle touch, safe places to pet, and signs that the animal needs a break. Let them know they should never bother an animal that’s eating, sleeping, or agitated. Some of the specifics will develop with time as everyone gets used to each other, but there are definitely important rules that need to be initiated right from the start. 

Pet Care As Growth Opportunities

A pet is a huge responsibility for a household, one that will fall mainly on the adults. But that doesn’t mean pet care can’t be shared with your child in an appropriate and safe way. Instead of treating pet care as a test, simply treat it as an opportunity for building routines and practicing independence. Some reasonable ways your child may be able to help include filling food and water bowls, putting pet toys away, helping on walks, and brushing them. This is all dependent on the pet and the child, but including them in the daily process can provide opportunities to boost confidence, deepen the pet/child bond, and instill a sense of responsibility. 

Allow Benefits To Come With Time 

While adding an animal to the home isn’t necessarily a simple pursuit, it can be a very rewarding one. Every child’s relationship with their pet is unique, but with preparation and care, a pet can bring many unexpected benefits. They can provide routine, add comfort, bring companionship, foster connection, and give the family something to focus on together. 

For some children, spending time with a pet may provide a calming sensory experience or a sense of comfort during overwhelming moments. The care an animal requires can also create natural opportunities to practice responsibility and encourage autonomy as boundaries are developed. 

Building Life Skills For Home

Bringing home a pet is exciting, life-changing, and a bit stressful. A snuggly companion can be an amazing thing for your child with autism, but it may take some preparation and time for things to settle. Understand that for your child, this isn’t just an adorable animal, it’s a life-altering transition. There will be new responsibilities, sensory experiences, and unpredictable moments that will take some adjustment. 

ABA therapy is something that can help children with autism build many of the skills that come into play with a pet, including navigating change, communicating boundaries, and developing independence. At Bloom Behavioral Healthcare, we can help your child build those skills in a way that will be meaningful for them. Using individualized goals based on your child’s specific strengths, challenges, and lifestyle, we will work with your family to build skills that translate to their real life, whether that means learning to fill up a dog’s water bowl, practicing how to safely interact with an animal, or communicating when they need a break. These are skills that can be useful not only during periods of transition at home, but in many areas of their everyday life. 

Contact Bloom to learn more about how ABA therapy can support your family.