Saddleworth children with autism invited to PAWS workshops
Charity Dogs for the Disabled is delighted to announce that another set of its ground breaking PAWS workshops will take place in Manchester and urge parents of children with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) from across the region to come along and find out more.
Any parent will know that bed-time tantrums, refusal to eat the meals you’ve lovingly prepared, toilet training troubles and teeth cleaning tears, all feature in family life from time to time. However, if your child has autism their condition can mean that these sorts of challenges can take on an altogether more serious and demanding perspective. In extreme cases it can be exhausting, demoralising and impact hugely on your relationships and other children in the family.
Over a series of three workshops, the PAWS service, (Parents Autism Workshop and Support) gives parents of children with autism an opportunity to network with other parents in similar situations and through practical demonstrations, discussions, hands on learning and course handouts, the workshops provide information on choosing the right dog, welfare and care, training techniques and explore ways a dog can help families with a child with autism.
Below are examples of how children with autism and their families are benefitting:
– Family walks with the dog on a dual lead allow the child to take some responsibility for the dog
– A dog trained the right way can interrupt unwanted behaviour by touching an arm or putting its head on their lap
– Dogs need their teeth cleaning and by teaching a child this, it can help a child learn about cleaning their own teeth
– Learning about a dog’s feeding routine helps to develop a child’s own mealtime routines
– One family even found they could get their child to wear his school uniform by having the dog walk to school with them wearing a school tie!
– Parents can also gain support and advice through online forums
A representative of the charity told us that anyone in Saddleworth who has a family member with autism is more than welcome to apply for the workshops, certain criteria apply.
The first workshop will be on Tuesday 15 May 2012 from 10 am to 3 pm at The Guide Dog Training School on Gibfield Park Avenue, Atherton, Manchester. M46 0SU.
Parents wishing to take part in the PAWS project must be able to attend all three workshops. To find out more and register visit: www.dogsforthedisabled.org and click the ‘PAWS’ link. Alternatively call the PAWS team on 01295 759 836 or email: PAWS@dogsforthedisabled.org.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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