# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children living with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) often have difficulty understanding social interactions and emotional cues. However, research has proven that pets can influence the disposition of children living with autism in different ways, which may improve their communication skills and develop their emotional range. This in turn can help them experience and better understand emotions such as empathy and kindness.

Animal-assisted therapy is a commonly prescribed form of therapy for children with autism. Any kind of domesticated animal can be useful for this purpose. However, most animals are recommended by medical professionals based on the needs of the person with autism. Such needs are divided into three categories: service needs, therapy needs, and learning needs.

Dogs are the most common service animals because they are easy to train and are obedient animals. Dogs perform services for children with autism, such as helping them navigate physical spaces and avoid difficult situations that may trigger anxiety, such as physical or emotional bullying by other children.

Children with autism commonly lack companionship due to their limited ability to form social connections. However, a study was conducted by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) in 2013. This study aimed to observe the human-animal bond between people living with autism and pets. It found that such people often find meaningful companionship in pets.

Animals may also be useful in distressing emotional situations involved with activities such as medical checkups, travel, and schooling. Children with autism are more likely to get physically injured or frustrated with the regular learning process. Pets can sense emotional distress and help calm the child's emotions by licking their hand gently to distract the child or using their body to apply pressure if the child is in an extreme state of distress.

The expression of non-verbal fondness between people living with autism and their pets creates a comfortable level of interaction which may have a positive influence on interpersonal socialization. Pets are known to reduce anxiety in people, and this same anxiety is a primary reason for awkward social interactions associated with people living with autism.

Another important role of pets is to encourage learning and play skills in children. Research conducted by HABRI on guinea pigs shows that they have several positive effects on children living with autism, including improving language development and behavior requiring concentration (engaging in conversation, looking at faces, and maintaining eye contact.) The study also found that such children made a greater effort to communicate with their peers in class.

Finally, pets improve dopamine production in the brain, and dopamine promotes happiness in people, particularly children living with autism. Oxytocin is another hormone that promotes the formation of emotional bonds, which can be created through a pet's affectionate interaction with a child with autism. Pets may also reduce the levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in people, and are ideal for calming an anxious or temperamental child living with autism.

Children with autism can learn important life skills while caring for their pets like responsibility and creativity. It also creates employment opportunities for them in animal care.

An important note to remember when choosing pets for children living with autism is that each child must be paired with a pet that suits their temperament. For instance, pairing an anxious child living with autism with an active and temperamental dog may worsen the child's anxiety and not achieve the goal of boosting the child's social development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Pets Help Children on the Autism Spectrum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children living with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) often have difficulty understanding social interactions and emotional cues. However, research has proven that pets can influence the disposition of...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Scott Klumb is an experienced filmmaker and cinematographer who leads SMK Media Production, LLC. Under Scott Klumb’s supervision, the Boulder, Colorado-based company…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
An award-winning autistic filmmaker, Scott Klumb is a Boulder, Colorado, resident with extensive knowledge of various film styles, including documentaries. As the owner of SMK Media in Boulder, CO, Scott Klumb started the firm as an independent filmmaker specializing in action sports. The firm now offers various services, including film production, event live streaming, and photography services.

Certain events, such as sports, involve moving objects that may obscure key details when photographed with smartphone cameras. This is because moving objects are best captured with a combination of lenses (to zoom in on detail) and autofocus to capture the moving subject in portrait mode where it is brought into focus.

Existing smartphone cameras can only compromise one of these requirements for the other. A person who will be taking photographs of moving objects needs to use a digital camera. Thephoblographer.com recommends the Canon EOS R7 and Sony a7 IV for this application. The Sony a6100 is a cheaper alternative.

When using a digital camera for moving object photography, the camera should be set to servo autofocus or continuous autofocus. The frame rate should be set to continuous. The photographer should also keep the subject in the center of the focusing point when shooting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Photographing Moving Objects - Helpful Tips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An award-winning autistic filmmaker, Scott Klumb is a Boulder, Colorado, resident with extensive knowledge of various film styles, including documentaries. As the owner of SMK Media in Boulder, CO...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Boulder, CO, resident, Scott Klumb is a graduate of the Colorado Film School and a movie maker. Scott Klumb produced Thriving on the Spectrum, a documentary movie and story that talks about autism and the pandemic.

The pandemic and rise of the coronavirus had everyone change their lifestyle and workplace, a change that caused trouble and challenges to adults diagnosed with the autism spectrum disorder. A survey study conducted in three different countries showcased that the pandemic increased the symptoms and conditions of anxiety and depression in people with autism disorder. It also increased their care and worry about pets, food, and just security and stability. Although the pandemic relieved stress for people with autism, the lack, and loss of social interaction was difficult for them.

Another problem that adults with autism frequently encountered in the pandemic is the lack of guidance and advice. However, the study also showcased several good changes, such as the increase of solidarity and reduced social overload as social interaction can be a challenge at times for people with the condition.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Pandemic Effects on Adults with Autism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Boulder, CO, resident, Scott Klumb is a graduate of the Colorado Film School and a movie maker. Scott Klumb produced Thriving on the Spectrum, a documentary movie and story that talks about autism...