Guinea Pigs Have A Positive Effect On Young People With Autism
We know from many studies that domestic animals They can have very interesting therapeutic applications. We discuss this in articles such as cat therapy or therapy with dogs, but, as is easy to understand, it is not necessary to specifically use these animals to see progress in different types of mental health intervention.
For example, today we know that boys and girls with some form of autism spectrum disorder (TORCH) can find benefits in the company of curious beings: the guinea pigsalso known as guinea pigs.
That is the conclusion reached by a team of American researchers whose article has been published in the journal Developmental Psychobiology. Specifically, guinea pigs may influence young people with autism spectrum disorders by dampening the anxiety caused by contact with adults and making it easier for them to focus on tasks related to others (or even take the initiative when interacting with others). the rest of the people).
Generally speaking, these rodents They act as a kind of anxiolytic of social roots, since their presence or company has effects on these boys and girls that are measurable at a physiological level.
Investigation
To carry out the study, the group of researchers took as reference a group of boys and girls diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and another group of children without any diagnosed disorder. In total, the volunteer sample was made up of 99 boys and girls of primary school age.
The research used the level of electrical conductivity of the skin as an objective reference measure, a way to indirectly estimate the state of mental activation and stress of children.
To study their level of electrical activation through the skin, bracelets were placed on all the young people and then it was seen how different activities affected these measurements. The contexts studied to compare results were:
Results
The researchers verified how the electrical activity measured in the skin of boys and girls with autism spectrum disorder was greater than that of the rest of the young people in all situations except playing with guinea pigs. Compared to the context in which they could play with toys, Playing with guinea pigs produced a 43% lower activation level. This responded to the calming and anti-stress effect that these animals seem to have on boys and girls with ASD who interact with them.
A therapeutic company
The interesting thing about this type of studies focused on the relationships between humans and animals is that the applications of their discoveries are cheap and easily applicable to many cases. The company of guinea pigs does not have negative effects on young people and the use of this type of measures can be combined with other therapies and forms of intervention. In addition, animals also enjoy interaction with other living beings and appreciate the time spent playing.
There is no doubt that there is still much progress to be made. Progress not only in relation to intervention measures in people diagnosed with ASD, but also in the type of research aimed at understanding the needs of these people and the ways in which society can adapt to them. For now, the company of domestic animals such as guinea pigs can make things easier and make it easier for thousands of young people to learn to empathize and get involved in social dynamics of all kinds.
