Visual Exploration and Observation of Real-Life Interactions Between Children with ASD and Service Dogs

Two original studies explored relationships between visual attention of children with ASD (candidates for receiving a service dog) and their behaviors during their first interaction with a service dog. The first study consisted in video behavioural analyses of 16 children with ASD interacting with a service dog. During the interaction with a service dog, the time children with ASD spent looking towards social items vs objects was associated with how they interacted with the service dog. The second study was exploratory (i.e. 6 children), using the same behavioural approach but coupled with eye-tracking data. The more children with ASD looked at both their parent and the evaluator, as opposed to inanimate items, the more they interacted with the service dog.

Automated summary

The two original studies examined the relationship between visual attention of children with ASD and their behaviors during the first interaction with a service dog. The findings suggest that the time spent looking at social items or objects during the interaction was associated with how children with ASD interacted with the service dog. Additionally, eye-tracking data revealed that children with ASD who looked more at their parent and the evaluator were more likely to interact with the service dog.