动物辅助治疗与特殊儿童的身心发展

动物辅助治疗是以动物为媒介,通过人与动物的接触,而使病弱或残疾个体身体状况得到改善或维持;或者使个体的心理状况通过有动物参与的活动,加强与外界环境的互动,进而能适应社会的、一种以目标为导向的干预方法。动物辅助治疗有助于缓解儿童的焦虑,促进儿童社会化过程。尤其是可减少情绪问题、注意缺陷和行为障碍、自闭症及脑瘫儿童的问题行为,并促进他们的发展。

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Development of Special Children

Animal-assisted therapy(AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria functions as a medium.Through the human-animal interaction,AAT may improve/sustain the sick/disabled individual's physical function;strengthen the individual's interactions with others,and then adapt themselves to the society.AAT would help to lessen the anxiety of children,promote their socialization,and especially reduce problem behaviors of children with emotional disorder,ADHD,autism,or CP,meanwhile,facilitate their development.