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News › Special Dogs Help Children with Autism on the First Coast
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Special Dogs Help Children with Autism on the First Coast
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Posted by lightfoot on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 (16:51:47)
By Patricia Crosby
Life for 16-year-old Geoffrey Brauda is getting better. Not only is he getting a new best friend, he's getting the support he needs to be more independent. And, for his mom Jeannette it means she doesn't have to worry as much.
Geoffrey has a high-functioning form of autism that affects his ability to socialize normally. "On the autism spectrum, the kids are just so naive and people can take advantage of them so quickly," says Jeannette.
That's why she arranged to get a new class of service dog, called social service, for Geoffrey through special trainer BJ Szwedzinski in Nassau County. "We have some kids who are head-bangers. We have kids who don't talk. We have kids who have sensitivity to lights. So, the dogs help by pressing their body to the childs. And, that helps with belligerency and outcries, which are all part of autism," explains Szwedzinski.
The dogs are trained to work with each child to meet their specific needs. For Geoffrey, being a teenager he wants to be able to go shopping alone. "Cause I don't want to have my mom with me," Geoffrey says with a smile.
So, the dog will go with Geoffrey throughout the store tethered to him with a special leash, even the men's room. The dog will also help Geoffrey with some of his socialization problems. His mom says he doesn't understand personal space and can stare alot. So, the dog is trained to step in front of Geoffrey when talking to someone, to remind him to back up and give the person space. The dog also comforts Geoffrey when he's nervous by pressing up against his body.
The whole training process takes about 9 months. But for Geoffrey and his family it's already opening new doors of opportunity. "She's with me, and it just makes me feel better, like we are a team," says Geoffrey.
If you'd like to learn more about social service dogs for children with learning disabilities like autism contact BJ Szwedzinski or Jeannette Brauda at Project Chance.
First Coast News
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Posted by lightfoot on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 (16:51:47) (1266 reads)
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