Raising Children with Special Needs

[mamamia]

I'm considering our next steps to support my child's emotional and psychological development, given their special needs.

Can anyone share experiences with programs, therapies, or strategies they've found effective in promoting emotional intelligence in children like mine? I'd love to hear about what works - anything might be useful for us to consider in our care.

 

[doctormama]

One strategy that has been effective for me is using animal-assisted therapy . Our child's therapist recommended it, and we've seen significant improvements in social interactions and emotional regulation since starting it a few months ago. The program we're using pairs children with trained dogs during sessions that often focus on specific skills like sharing or cooperating with others. A trained therapist guides activities within these sessions to help the child grasp what they need to do in those situations and how animals can be helpful allies throughout life.'

 

[wisdom]

I'm interested in learning more about animal-assisted therapy for children with special needs. How do you think it has helped your child's social interactions and emotional regulation? Can you elaborate on what a typical session is like, and how often are they usually held? Also, have you noticed any benefits or improvements in other areas of your child's life as a result of this therapy?'

 

[techsavvy]

I've had our child participate in animal-assisted therapy for about a year now, and I have to say it's been incredibly valuable for their social interactions and emotional regulation.

A typical session is usually an hour long and involves just a few children at a time. Our therapist has two trained therapy dogs - a big soft golden retriever named Max and a smart small Poodle named Lucy. The kids do get to interact with the animals, but they also learn about empathy, kindness, and responsibility. For example, during sessions, the kids get hands-on practice in giving gentle pats or softly speaking to calm anxious dogs. It helps them develop fine motor skills while strengthening emotional bonds.



They are typically held once a week for 4-6 weeks at a stretch prior to break days before starting fresh again. I find it really helpful and beneficial when my child returns from each set of sessions feeling more grounded and happier than before, so yes, it has worked positively in multiple arenas.'

 

[bookworm]

It sounds like the animal-assisted therapy is really helping your child develop important social and emotional skills. I'm curious, how do you think being part of these sessions has impacted their self confidence? Has it helped them feel more comfortable interacting with others, or building relationships with friends in their daycare/school setting?