Boy’s Best Friend

Published: July 29, 2007, 1:01 pm

Tags: animals, animals, asd, aspergers, autism, children, dogs, education, emotions, family, friends, parenting, pdd nos

My son Charlie remains wary, if very curious—fascinated, even—-about dogs. In a new book, Nuala Gardner tells of how a golden retriever named Henry (after one of Thomas’ friends) helped her now 19-year-old autistic son, Dale. Notes the July 29th Times Online: Why did Henry succeed when so much else had failed? Dale, who has written the last chapter of the book, says: Henry was just really gentle, friendly and sociable . . . he had a wise look and I always trusted him. Autistic children find it almost impossible to understand facial expressions but the dog made it easier. I could understand his feelings from looking at his eyes and face, says Dale. Henry's face only had slight changes with his expressions so I understood them. Sounds like Henry is a friend—a boy’s best—indeed: Charlie seems content right now to watch his four-footed friends from a distance, but maybe someday he’ll feel ready to get up close and personal to

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