St. Louis (KSDK)-- Trained therapy dogs can make a big difference in the lives of some children with autism.
But they're also expensive.
That's why a local doctor is recommending some families look no further than their family dog for help.
Higgins the therapy dog is already a big help in Dr. Rolanda Maxim's autism clinic at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
Young patients anxious about having their height and weight measured can watch Higgins do it first.
"In the company of a dog, a child will become more relaxed, more interactive, more social, less anxious," says Dr. Rolanda Maxim, an autism specialist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
Now Dr. Maxim is taking the idea one big step further.
She's recommending select families in her practice use their own family dog to increase interaction at home.
"I think this can actually serve a range of children," says Dr. Maxim. "I think it can be done cheap and it can be done effectively in a child's home."
Children with pet allergies or fear of dogs wouldn't be good participants.
But it's an idea that interests the Lim family. Four-year-old Parker was diagnosed with autism when he was two and really warmed to Higgins during a recent appointment at the clinic.
"Getting his height checked was easier than it generally is," says Amy Lim, Parker's mother. "Playing with a ball is something he's been working on in physical therapy for over a year. So to see him do that with the dog was really great."
This structured behavior interaction program is also being extended into a formal research project. Dr. Maxim plans to gather clinical data that might one day provide scientific evidence on the benefits.
For the Lims, it could be the answer to some of the safety issues that are popping up as Parker gets older.
"The child can be tethered to the dog," says Amy, "or the dog can be trained to physically block the child from running away and that would be really helpful."
"I'm very optimistic," says Dr. Maxim. "I think it's going to work. It will be fun for both the child and the family."
Dr. Maxim says she looks forward to writing more prescriptions for dogs not medicine.
To reach Dr. Maxim, look for the link on this web page.
KSDK