Autism assistance dogs act as constant companions to their person with autism, help them improve social interactions and relationships, expand verbal and nonverbal communication, teach life skills, increase interest in activities, reduce sensory-related episodes and can decrease stress within the family. An autism Lifeline doesn’t pass judgement, but breaks into the world of autism, becomes a crucial part of the family’s life, and can serve as a link between that quiet, internal world and the external world the family occupies.
Autism service dogs have proven to be an asset for many who are on the spectrum. These dogs provide a social “bridge” for children who are often excluded by others because of their behavior or lack of social interaction.
For parents of autistic children or for autistic adults, there can be many advantages to partnering with an autism assistance dog. Just a few of the many benefits include:
Autism service dogs can be trained to help in a variety of ways. Some Autism Service Dog tasks can include, but are not limited to:
Lifeline Assistance Dogs is proud to work with children, adolescents and adults across the country who are on the autism spectrum.
We do not have a minimum or maximum age requirement. Many of our Autism teams are placed as "triad" teams. With a triad team, a parent or guardian is the dog's primary handler, not the person with Autism.
All applicants must be involved in therapy, and be able to provide letters of support from treating therapist(s) (physical, occupational, recreational, speech, etc)
The average cost of an Autism Lifeline can vary depending on multiple factors, not limited to level of customization, travel needs, and task list. Each Lifeline is custom trained to each individual's specific set of needs. The average cost of an Autism Lifeline is $15,000. Payment options, including monthly payments are available.