Friday, March 25, 2011

A Case For Canine Therapy

Perhaps you have heard of ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is a huge umbrella that covers multiple diagnoses manifested in approximately 1 out of every 150 Americans. My son is one of these persons.


Because of his diagnosis and the corresponding behaviors I have come to a fair understanding of the characteristics and traits of Autism. I have read extensively on the subject and attended many workshops and lectures related to it. I have even led a number of workshops and discussion groups. Most of all I have 19 years of hands-on experience living with this disorder 24/7. So there is not much that would surprise me. What I never counted on was discovering a new phenomenon: ASDD, that is, Autism Spectrum Disorders in Dogs!


One of our family members is a black Labrador retriever named Maggie. Maggie is somewhere in her 11th year of life, we think. She, like my son, was adopted. The difference is she came from a Humane Society kennel and without a birth certificate. So we are not exactly sure about her age.


The other day I was sitting in our living room watching Maggie and allowing my mind to wander, which is not a difficult task for me. That's when I suddenly became aware of numerous similarities between Maggie and my son. The more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that dogs might be born with Autistic tendencies, too. At least, I think Maggie was!


I have a card I received from the Autism Society of America. This card lists some of the more common characteristics of persons with Autism. A careful look at this list causes me to think that the person who wrote it was describing my dog. Here are some of the traits described.
"Persons on the autism spectrum may:
1. Not understand what you say. At times there is a real communication breakdown between Maggie and me. I tell her to go fetch her bone and she lays down. A counselor once advised my wife and I to carefully speak in concrete terms in order for our son to understand. Keep instructions short and to the point. Less words = greater understanding. The same is true for dogs. One or two word commands work best: "Sit. Speak. Lie down. Go for a walk?" If I mix in too many words she just cocks her head and raises her ears as if to say, "Huh?"
2. Appear deaf. Need I say more?
3. Be unable to speak or speak with difficulty. I have had dogs that would respond to the request to "Speak" by offering a short bark. Not Maggie. I don't think she can speak in a comprehensible way.
4. Engage in repetitive behavior. Oh yeah! One of our favorite games is to have my wife stand at one end of the yard and me at the other. Maggie loves to run back and forth between us - over and over again. Or she will Play tug-of-war until I fear her teeth will fall out. She also enjoys running after any number of toys we throw for her. Usually I give up before she does.
5. Act upset for no apparent reason. From time to time we are both sitting in the living room relaxing when all of a sudden Maggie will jump up like she was just bit by a snake, turn all around once or twice, and then scamper off to another spot. Or this same creature who at times appears deaf will offer a very low, muffled growl while she goes over to the door or near a window, as if she heard something outside that was threatening. I, of course, never heard a thing.
6. Engage in self-stimulating behaviors (i.e., hand flapping or rocking). At times she will just lick the top of her paw over and over. I will look but can see no sign of any discomfort or infection. Then, too, she will frequently come up to me and nudge my hand, insisting that I pet her or rub her behind the ears. I can see no value in this, but she insists just the same. Additionally, both my son and my dog absolutely love to take walks!


Not on the ASA list, but one I would add, is simple pleasures are greatly exaggerated. If you know anything about black labs you realize that they are a high-strung, overjoyed breed. They can wiggle their backside and wag their tail better than just about any bread, except perhaps the poodle. I am convinced that Maggie has ADHD, a very common reality for people on the autism spectrum. I also suspect she is Obsessive Compulsive (OCD) because she knows exactly when it is 4:00 pm. That is her usual supper time. If I miss it, as I frequently will, she lets me know in concrete terms! And there is no changing her mind, trust me. Likewise she also will demand that she be given a treat at 7:00 pm. No watch needed. To my knowledge dogs cannot tell time, yet she never fails in this routine that she so energetically has established.


The back side of the ASA card offers some "Helpful hints for interacting with someone who has autism." These include:
1. Speak slowly and use simple language. Check!
2. Use concrete terms. Already established.
3. Repeat simple questions. Roger that!
4. Allow time for responses. Autistic dogs move at their own pace!
5. Give lots of praise. Any questions so far?


So there you have it. A case for establishing a new diagnosis known as ADSD: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS FOR DOGS! I want to talk to Maggie's Vet about this, but I am afraid he will want to send her to a psychiatrist for further testing, and in all honesty that would take me out of my comfort zone.


gdgehr      March 25, 2011
For the record, the above post is intended to be a
humorous way of describing the basic traits of autism in many
individuals - human individuals, that is. Any similarities to your
dog are purely coincidental. If your dog displays some of these
traits I am not suggesting that he or she is suffering from autism.
But if you choose to explore the possibilities, I'd love to hear from you!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Special Needs; Special Opportunities for Churches

From time to time I am asked what a Church can do to be more inclusive and inviting to persons with disabilities. It's a very good question.

By our very nature most Churches want to be a place where all persons can worship God and grow in His Grace. Even a casual reading of the Gospels present a clear picture of Jesus welcoming persons with very special needs. The blind, the lame, the lepers, the outcasts, the physically and intellectually challenged are all received by Christ and granted a place at the table. But the fact remains special needs present special challenges. And if we are to be honest, few of us really feel comfortable knowing how to go about addressing those needs.

Disabilities can affect persons of all ages and both genders. Some are intellectually disabled while others may be physically or emotionally disabled. Some are afflicted temporarily; others find it to be a lifelong challenge. With so many possibilities and so few cases (relatively speaking) within our walls how are we to begin?

Part of the solution can be found through education. As a Pastor I have found that it was essential for me to understand the needs and the challenges of a disabled person who attended my congregation. To do so I had to be willing to admit that I really did not know what they were going through. So, I had to seek them out, talk with them and/or their caregiver(s), and find out what makes them tick. In reality this is not unlike the approach we would use with any other person who attends our services. If we want to be real and bring the Gospel to life it behooves us to begin with open and honest communication.

Once we gain a handle on the needs represented within our congregation we can begin to seek ways to address them. I would recommend that church leaders give serious consideration to holding some form of Training Workshops. For example, The Christian Education Team may want to invite all Sunday School Teachers to a Saturday morning session on the topic of "Barriers and Bridges: Creating Inclusive Classrooms" or some such theme. A similar approach could be used with the Worship Committee, the Fellowship Team, and the Deacons. In fact, I highly recommend consideration be given to planning a Church Board Retreat to address the question of how our congregation can be more proactive in addressing the needs of disabled persons. Some congregations find it helpful to offer a joint Adult Sunday School Class to discuss the possibilities within a broader framework.

At the very least I would suggest that Church leaders expand their library to include some of the many wonderful resources currently available to help the Body of Christ reach out to those with special needs. I am hesitant to even provide a bibliography because the list of good, quality books is long. Any that I could offer would only be a small sampling. Nevertheless, in the interest of assisting others in getting started I will present a very short list of some resources I am familiar with and comfortable in recommending.

1. Exceptional Teaching: A Comprehensive Guide for Including Students With Disabilities
By Jim Pierson
A nice look at 77 special needs diagnoses and the characteristics and challenges they represent.

2. The Special Needs Ministry Handbook: A Church's Guide to Reaching Children With Disabilities And Their Families. By Amy Rapada
A practical resource for Church leaders, teachers, and families.

3. Autism And Your Church. By Barbara J. Newman
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is among the most common and misunderstood diagnoses today. This book looks at what to expect and how to address those who are on the spectrum.

4. Special Needs, Special Ministries. A collection of articles by numerous experts in the field. Forward by Joni Earickson Tada.


I know this is not a lot but it is easy to get carried away and be overwhelmed by what's available. I hope this will assist you to begin looking at the possibilities. I have long found the organization Joni and Friends to be particularly helpful in offering a strong, biblical ministry to persons of all ages and a wide range of disabilities. Go to www.joniandfriends.org for more information.

Remember, its OK to feel uncomfortable. Just don't let your comfort zone disable your ministry.




gdg March 16, 2011
Note: If you are still unsure how to begin a Disabilities Ministry
in your congregation and would like to discuss options with me
feel free to email me at gdgehr@ptd.net

Monday, March 7, 2011

Five Fickled Facts that Frustration Me

1. As I hear calls for the resignation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and a "no-fly zone" over the troubled country I am struck by the oddity that the United States is calling for the established government to step aside and allow the rebel forces to redesign the country's future. 150 years ago on this side of the Atlantic we refused to do the same. Instead we stubbornly chose to engage in the bloodiest war ever to mar this continent in order to smash and destroy a rebel movement. It took four years to accomplish it, by the way.

2. Over $4 billion was spent on campaigning during the 2010 Mid-Term elections. Another $5+ billion was spent for the Presidential Election of 2008. That's a total of nearly $10 billion dollars burned on nauseating accusations and undocumented claims. This figure represents roughly twice as much money as what the Federal Government budgeted for the Department of Commerce in 2010. Hummm..... with priorities like that its no wonder the economy is precarious at best!

3. Oh how we have venerated the Statue of Liberty! It has nearly become an idol worthy of worship and devotion. Secured within the Harbor Lady's base are, in part, these words:
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Funny how we seemingly want to close our borders these days, and return selected immigrants who heeded the call quoted above but are now seen as taking away the dollars, the jobs, and assorted benefits that are rightfully ours! Too bad the Native Americans did not have a Statue of Liberty by which our forefathers could have justified their stripping this land away from its then-rightful owners.

4. EOE - - three letters that justify modern-day prejudices among business owners and managers. How many employment applications proudly display these letters: EOE. They stand for EQAUL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Anyone who claims to subscribe to this business practice will, in theory, give equal consideration to a qualified person with a disability when such a person applies for an advertised job opening. Yet I am amazed how many of these same employers will not even grant the disabled applicant an interview. I have seen jobs that were advertised for three weeks or more after a qualified person applied, yet while the position remains unfilled, the applicant never received an invitation for an interview. Why? Certainly the presence of a disability did not help their chances. Perhaps EOE actually stands for EVERY OPPORTUNITY ERASED???

5. The Christian Faith was born of a sudden, radical, life-altering event named Pentecost. Ever since then preachers have begged and pleaded with sinners to change by accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit, the Ultimate Change Artist, is the power that propels the Church. Why, then, is the Church so resistant to Change???


Do you have any FICKELD FACTS that FRUSTRATE you? If so, please share them by clicking on the "comment" section below.


G. D. Gehr - March 7, 2011