A compelling new study reveals that dog training programs can significantly improve social communication behaviors in young children diagnosed with autism.
Can structured dog training help children with autism communicate better? According to a new 2024 study by Polak-Passy et al., the answer is yes. Published in Frontiers in Psychology, this study examined how a 17-stage Dog Training Intervention (DTI) impacted both verbal and non-verbal behaviors in autistic preschoolers.
Involving 37 children from special education preschools, the research analysed video footage of sessions before and after the intervention. Children were slowly introduced to dogs and eventually assumed the role of a trainer — creating a setting of empowerment, engagement, and structured feedback.
Key improvements:
- 👁️ Increased self-initiated eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions
- 🗣️ More verbal commands directed toward the dog
- 👫 Better joint attention and therapist-led interactions
- ⚠️ Decrease in maladaptive behaviors like repetitive movements
Interestingly, the study also found that the severity of autism correlated with reduced responsiveness to the therapist — and children with higher IQs benefited more noticeably. These findings emphasize that dog-assisted therapy must be tailored to individual needs, but its therapeutic potential is undeniable.
As we continue to explore the power of human-animal connections, this study adds strong evidence to the value of training-based engagement — not just for dogs, but for the people who train them.
Source: Polak-Passy, Y., Ben-Itzchak, E., & Zachor, D. (2024). Enhancing social communication behaviors in children with autism: the impact of dog training intervention on verbal and non-verbal behaviors. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. Read the study.
