From the article: Cat Therapy for Autistic Children
Cats are slowly moving into their own as therapy animals, and are being used more and more in convalescent homes and other institutions for that purpose. The associated article tells the story of a miracle a cat brought to an autistic child. Readers may contribute here with personal stories about their own experience with cats as therapy for autism or other medical conditions. NOTE: Questions or responses to others will not be published. Think of this as your own mini-article. Share Your Experience
My own experience with autism
- As far as I know (this has never been officially diagnosed, but I am confident it is the case...!) I suffer from "Asperger's Syndrome," which is a form of autism! As well, I have been owned by at least one cat since 1973, when I first left my family home! I find that cats mirror my own personality...and are thus MUCH easier to relate to than dogs (whose deference to their "owners" can be easily explained by the concept of "Dominance Hierarchy!"). Currently, I am "owned" by Ecru (the ecru cat), who was an "only kitten" of "Mama Cat," a feral dilute tortoise-shell who took up residence at my abode (to my delight!) a year or two after I moved in! Essentially, I CANNOT comprehend my fellow humans...however, I CAN comprehend my resident cat(s)! Ecru is my own personal "therapy" for my clinical depression! Steven C. Barr stevenc@interlinks.net
- —Guest Steven C. Barr
Along came a chatty Cat
- My daughter is also living with Autism. She has Asperger's Syndrome which is considered a less severe form of Autism. She struggled with emotional attachments, and understanding that others had feelings and responded to her displays of emotion. Then we adopted a Calico cat with a touch of Siamese in her bent tail. We named her Mystique and she bonded with my daughter. Mystique talks and rowels, purrs and cuddles with my daughter. And she puts up with being held, snuggled, being stuffed into the front of a sweat shirt and sleeping at the foot of the bed. But she also listens and responds to My girl's long involved conversations. I often get the feeling that Mystique understands English, in particular English as filtered through an Asperger's mind. My daughter has learned empathy as well as learning to express affection in cat acceptable ways. Mystique is a miracle cat, she is also an art critic. When Mystique likes a drawing she lets you know.
- —DameNickum
Excellent article
- I suffered with panic and anxiety attacks as well as depression near the end of 2006. I was in therapy for months and took medication. I decided to adopt a kitten one day to have another little life around so I wouldn't feel so alone. Vlad came into my life about a week before my 40th birthday in 2007. I immediately felt I had a purpose, taking care of my kitten. About a month later I adopted a companion for him and added another wonderful little life. Having them proved a wonderful distraction to my problems. So much so I feel I can handle my life a little better and no longer have anxiety attacks. Coming home to my family of 5 cats now is the highlight of my day. I come home and I can talk to them and tell them my troubles and they patiently listen. Cats are wonderful therapists and most of all, great friends. I wish more people would give them a chance. That myth of being solitary creatures is just that, a myth.
- —Guest Nuria
Along came chatty cat
- Many readers may be unfamiliar with the autism spectrum. Autism has degrees of severity. At the one end is the person who has autism with co-morbid mental retardation. This person usually has poor self-help skills and needs assistance in the most basic things such as preparing a meal. At the other end there is the "high functioning" person who has average to above average intelligence. This person goes to school, can get a degree, marry, raise a family, and have a career. Pure autism is a communiction disorder in the brain. Contrary to what one may suspect, people with higher levels of intelligence, but are on the autistic spectrum suffer more. They need some living being to connect with who understands them and who serves as a mentor on communication. Cats provide that kind of mentoring, because they are patient. They also use body language that the person must learn to translate into words and ideas. This responds to the very area where people with Asperger struggle.
- —jmanerling
cats in therapy
- Thank you for the article - it reminded me of when I was in therapy myself. There were things that I found very difficult to discuss with my therapist. One day her cat joined us, and she wanted to put him out. I begged to have him stay. With my attention divided between the cat asleep on my lap and my therapist's questions, we managed to cover new ground. Soon both her cats would join us when it was time for my sessions. There is no doubt in my mind of their beneficial presence during difficult sessions. My therapist might feel differently, seeing that I often used the 'distraction' to avoid answering questions I had not yet felt ready to answer. Years later I picked up a stray cat, and not ever having had a cat before, the 'therapy cats', as I call them, greatly eased the way for this stray into my life. From a very uncertain start, he has grown into a big tom, currently asleep on my lap.
- —Guest pardoes
Lucy My Furperson
- I have a very severe form of anxiety, so bad that at one point I was having seizures. I disconnected myself from family and friends. Social situations were horrifying to me. My mother gave me Lucy when she was a kitten. Having something to love and care for helped me to reach a point where I would slowly go into social situations. Lucy is now 6 months old, and I am attending college in two days. I will always love her
- —Guest TheBigUnfurryCat
Healing cat
- I took in a sealpoint Siamese who'd been dumped by her former owner. Jackie was very mild temperament, but a lion when it came to 'her clan'. She kept watch over my daughter as an infant. Even chased a friend out of the nursery when he peeked in w/o one of the family at his side. He was not a very regular visitor. She was always singling out anyone in the house that was depressed or physically ill. She only took timeaway from the person for the litterbox and a fast bite to eat. My husband came home sick, was in the bathroom throwing up. She kept by his side, a look of extreme distress and concern.. I'd say she had too much empathy- finally she started puking right along with him! She was always a Healer, stuck with those that were hurting. There were several times she was joined at the hip to the one in need. I lost her to renal failure at age 19. I miss my Sealpoint Lady!
- —Guest SiaKeeper
My cat and my battle with dysautonomia.
- My name's Sophie, I'm 23 & since I was 16 I've had a chronic illness called dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Basically everything your body normally does (controls heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow, temperature & so on) mine struggles to do. This gives me symptoms like fainting, migraines, joint pain, dizzy spells, stomach issues, chest pain & things like that. Since I've been sick my beautiful ex-SPCA tortoiseshell cat Misty has been a huge support to me. She's been with me every step of the way. When I faint she waits for me to wake up, when I have a migraine she sits beside my head & when I cry she purrs beside me to cheer me up. Misty also walks up & down stairs to my bedroom multiple times a night (despite her spinal arthritis) to make sure I'm okay. She has disabilities herself and her strength has inspired me in my own battles. She has taught me so much-I truly don't think I would be here today without her love and support.
- —SophieSophieSophs
The Love of Three
- I am a severe diabetic and I have neuropathy in my feet and nerve damage in my back from a work accident. I am owned by Little Miss Puss Puss, Stinky Binky and Max. Puss is a gingham calico with an angel imprinted in her fur on her back, Binky is a white tom with pink ears, pink nose and blue eyes and Max is a Bengal. In 2008, my husband and I split up after near 20 years. When I left I had only Puss. Then my niece and my ex found Binky. He was severely malnourished and covered in fleas when my niece brought him home to me. My landlords daughter gave me Max shortly after I moved back to Wisconsin. Puss and Binky rode 800 miles from Tennessee to Wisconsin in May. I suffer from severe depression and my babies know when mom is not feeling well. Puss will climb on my left shoulder and cuddle my neck.Binky and Max try to make laugh. My doctor suggested counseling but I have the best therapists money can't buy!!
- —Guest budwill
My Tika as a furry 'Therapist'
- I suffer from chronic pain and major depression. Many times, Tika has been more than a friend to me. She listens with her heart. My roommate, who has schizophrenia, has even allowed her to be his friend. Cats don't need a degree in social work to be a helper.
- —KimkellyK
My Cat is God's masterpiece
- Being disabled w/ chronic pain & depression, my Dr. suggested I consider checking into a hosp. I was incredulous. I said I am at home, w my therapist, my cat at my side 24/7, who has more intuition to my pain, physical or mental than I do. She senses when I need her most & when I'm holding my own. We talk a lot (& she loves me to sing to her, which is good therapy for me.) Her intuition is uncanny and beyond human comparison. She understands just what I need at the moment, whether it's sitting in her chair next to my computer chair when I'm at my PC; or cuddling with me on my couch - she KNOWS! She is what I believe God wants humans to strive to be; non-judgmental, loving all unconditionally; mellow; assess others needs and act accordingly; show kindness & understanding; be there even if uou don't understand; forgive always & quickly. She has no issues & is perpetually content. She's a role model of living a life of unconditional love, & my role model. She's God's masterpiece.
- —slowhandfan
Autism, Disability, and animals
- My youngest daughter has autism. After she finally got the hang of reading she didn't like reading out loud to people until she had it perfected so she read to her rabbit for hours. Any time we would get close she would stop reading and when we walked away the reading would stop. All animals seem to know she's different and animals that aren't affectionate to others will allow her to pet them. I am disabled and our two dogs and four cats know when I am having a bad day. There is no way I could lie to my kids because the animals would tell on me. They surround me on the bed so there is no way I can get over the bodies to get up if I wanted to. The follow me into the bathroom or downstairs. I am never allowed to be without someone watching over me. While we are looking for a place to live there is no way we could ever leave them behind. They are there for all of us when we feel bad only expecting love in return. I have two of them on my bed with me now! At least my feet are warm!
- —Guest BackupZeus
They just know, don't they?
- Cats and dogs just know when we are not well, or when we are depressed. If I am feeling ill, my Sally sniffs my breath, and camps out at the foot of the bed. When my folks passed away a couple years ago Sally knew something was 'not right' with me, and stayed closeby. She knows me very well (had her for almost 14 years). She keeps my BP low, I'm certain. My touchstone, my lucky charm.
- —GeorgeReese
Cat's truly are a blessing
- I have a 4 1/2 year old boy with Austism Spectrum disorder, he was diagnosed at age 3 1/2. He had no communication, no sentences, he had some words but not many, i was beside myself trying to figure out my son since he was on a waiting list to get tested. My best friends girlfriend at the time had a litter of kittens, i was hesitent cause my son terrorized my parents cats by chasing them and hitting them, but i figure lets try it. We brought the cat home, we named him hobbes it was easy for my son to pronounce, and it was like a light switch turned on my son would talk to the cat all day long. We have had hobbes almost 2 years now and that cat is a guardian angel he means the world to our family, he brought my son out of the darkness of autism i believe and back into the real world of reality.
- —Guest Crystal
Therapy cat Baby, I call him Doc.
- I have neuropathy nerve disease in my left leg and when i go to bed it often acts up very painfully. Then i call my cat "DOC" and he comes every time and lays on my leg and purrs and massages with his paws and the pain eases up and soon is gone. His warmth feels good too. He stays until i rise in the morning. He is 14. Dariel
- —Guest sheenyc
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