Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 My daughter loves her cat but when she goes into meltdown mode, she has thrown him down or on the bed several times. When she wants him (which is often), she pulls his leg out to get him, and he's a 20 pound cat. She often picks him up by his front legs (not under his legs) and I keep telling her to be careful. So yes she does abuse him, but most of the time, it's not on purpose. Poor kitty!!!! I'm glad he IS a 'sturdy' cat! We have 3 cats but this one she chose and he chose her, too. He sleeps in her room, on her bed. He knows he is 'owned' by her. Maralee . . . . . "The events in our lives, when we let God use them,become the mysterious and perfect preparation forthe work He has called us to do." Animale Abuse Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS & Debra s-Ohiotomndebpeters@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 Animal abuse and molestation can be a sign of both physical and sexual abuse, either in the home or out of the home. Often a child will reinact on the animal what has been done to them. Its the childs way of acting out their anger and frustration. A lot of children who abuse animals have lack of empathy for others. I would suggest that if this is your child or someone you know to seek out help immediately. To "abuse" an animal or to "hurt" an animal unintentionally is one thing, but to go as far as to molest an animal.. that would send up red flags for me!!! TK Animale Abuse Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS & Debra s-Ohiotomndebpeters@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 With my son sometimes it seems as if he actually does the exact opposite of abuse with our cats. He is lots more affectionate and sweet with them as opposed to people. I don't know if this is common with AS kiddos or just my kid. The cats are the one chore he takes very seriously. If he earns extra money he is as likely to want to spend it on them as himself. I find myself getting jealous of our kitties sometimes. I believe animal abuse and molestation is somewhat indicative of kids with much more severe psychological problems like schizophrenia and I would get my kid in to his shrink ASAP if this kind of behavior is occuring. Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 One of the things that really had me concerned about the "different" behaviour of my recently diagnosed brilliant little 7 year old "Aspie" girl is the way she would be with animals. When she was younger, she would hold small animals by the neck, or pull their tails, or a back leg if they tried to escape her clutch. Mind you she loves animals and aspires to be veterinary surgeon when she grows up. She also loves any toys or books that are, or feature puppies, cats, or ponies. If we visit a house where there is a cat she stalks the poor animal to love it to death! Yet the time I saw her from the kitchen window picking up one of our two small dogs, the very docile one, buy one ear and the tail, to give him a twirl around, I really freaked out! She was about five and a half years old. Old enough to know better. She has times when she does things without any regard for how it could or would hurt a person or animal. This incident was the biggest alarm bell, that told me something more was amiss, and sent me seeking answers beyond the diagnosis or just ADD, or learning disabilities. I had never even heard of Aspergers syndrome at the time. ~ Sydney Animale Abuse Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS & Debra s-Ohiotomndebpeters@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 Actually, I also recall another adult "Aspie" at one time being given an eight week old Chihuahua puppy to hold. The little baby dog was so small. Like a little kitten. He was just minuets out of an air freight pet pack after being sent interstate from his breeder to his new home. Just having left his mummy, and being in that box for around twelve scary hours. Within moments, the man suffering Aspergers discovered the frail and timid little puppy's claw had become caught in the knit of jumper, as he held it to his chest. Franticly fearing a "pull" on his jumper, he let go of his hold on the small animal and briskly brushed the puppy, hanging by his caught claw, from the front of his jumper with the back of his hand, like it was a piece of unwanted vermin or a piece of lint! I was horrified when I saw the small puppy fall helplessly to the floor from the (over 6 foot tall) mans standing position. I was terrified the small vulnerable puppy would die from the fall, landing on his proportionally larger head to his tiny body. The puppy screamed in pain, from being unexpectedly flicked off the mans chest. The man defended his actions saying the dog was going to wreck his good jumper, and also that he assumed the dog would land on its feet. He insisted he "thought" it would land, like a cat would. Actually I don't believe he "thought" at all. He was unremorseful, or sorry in any way for what happened. I have also known of that particular man be very callous and cruel to small animals, including kicking them when they get in his way, without regard. Being the animals own fault for getting in his way...of course, he would sadly defend. I think this is perhaps extreme, rather than typical. I don't think all people with Aspergers would behave like this. But this person did. And I am convinced this behaviour or similar, can be attributed to Aspergers, at times. ~ Sydney Animale Abuse Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS & Debra s-Ohiotomndebpeters@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 I am not familiar with this a s a commonality, however, remember that poeple on the autism spectrum often fail to realize social norms or that people, much less animls, have feelings either physical or emotional. I would encourage you, if you have not already, to seek a physical evaluation as well as an emotional one, to assess your child for treatment options. These behaviors have to be stopped before they become habitual and dangerous to the child's emotional and physical health. Best of luck. Leah K.-----Original Message-----From: Tomndebpeters@...Sent: Sep 15, 2003 9:59 PMTo: autism-aspergers Subject: Animale Abuse Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS & Debra s-Ohiotomndebpeters@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 My 5 year old can be good with animals, but I think he truly doesn't understand. Logan has NO empathy for any other individuals human or animal. I have asked how to teach empathy, and have been told it is a long and often times unsuccessful project. (according to the developmental psychologist that works with my son). I know that when my oldest son was young, he too would grab the dog by the tail, or ears or whatever. I have seen other " typical " kids do the same, and think it goes with being a kid. I would like to really know the answer too..... > Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with > Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS > > & Debra s-Ohio > tomndebpeters@a... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 I've seen it " animal abuse " linked, but I know an awful lot of kids on the spectrum whom love animals. I don't personally know any whom have been abusive to animals. Sorry, I'm sure that is not much help. > Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with > Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS > > & Debra s-Ohio > tomndebpeters@a... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 I hate to admit this, but once my son kicked the dog in the ribs and laughed and laughed about it, so I kicked him in the ribs. I told him everytime he hits the dog or kicks the dog, I'd do the same to him twice as hard. He stopped pretty darn quick. He has empathy! My son now can't stand to watch tv shows or movies where animals are hurt - he understands what pain they might be feeling. You might cheer yourself up by watching some " Happy Tree Friends " cartoons... look for them online, but don't show them to your kid! : ) > > Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait > with > > Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS > > > > & Debra s-Ohio > > tomndebpeters@a... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 My son has been raised with cats. The 1st I had was 8 years old when my son was born. I've often said that my son was really my 2nd child. My son has his own cat who is 12 years old now, & I have a 6 year old cat. Both of them adore my son. He has never been anthing but loving to any pet we had. More than at home, he loves all animals. He says that if we got rich & bought the large house with a fenced-in yard that we've dreamed about, he would promptly go to the Humane Society & adopt every dog & cat they had there at the time. In fact, we got his cat as a kitten when my son was showing a lot of behavioral problems, but long before he was diagnosed with AS, & we got the kitten on the recommendation of both my son's therapist at the time & of the vet who treated our then 14-year-old cat & had seen how my son interracted with her. They both said having a pet of his own would help my son, & it did. At times when he was angry at the world & feeling rejected by the world, he always knew that the cats ( & our neighbors' dogs for that matter) accepted him just for himself. So my answer to this question is an emphatic NO! Candace in Colorado > Can anyone tell me if animal abuse/molestation is a common trait with > Autism/Aspergers or PDD-NOS > > & Debra s-Ohio > tomndebpeters@a... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 Very well said Candace. Re: Animale Abuse > One of the things that really had me concerned about the "different" behaviour of my recently diagnosed brilliant little 7 year old "Aspie" girl is the way she would be with animals.> > When she was younger, she would hold small animals by the neck, or pull their tails, or a back leg if they tried to escape her clutch.> > Mind you she loves animals and aspires to be veterinary surgeon when she grows up. > She also loves any toys or books that are, or feature puppies, cats, or ponies.> > If we visit a house where there is a cat she stalks the poor animal to love it to death!> > Yet the time I saw her from the kitchen window picking up one of our two small dogs, the very docile one, buy one ear and the tail, to give him a twirl around, I really freaked out!> > She was about five and a half years old. Old enough to know better.>~> SydneyDon't be so sure that @ 5-1/2 she was old enough to know better. My son had always had a cat in the house; he didn't know any other life.When he was in 1st grade, the schools classified him as "severely emotionally & behaviorally disturbed" & his 1st IEP had him entered into a self-contained classroom for EBD kids. Shortly after that, we got my son a kitten of his own. We lived in a townhouse. Of our neighbors, one couple was a Mr. working on his doctorate in school psychology & was employed as a psychologist in our school system. The Mrs. was a special ed teacher. Another neighbor couple were 4th year veterinary students. One day my 6-year-old had his new kitten out in the backyard that was open & common to all our townhouse units. He was playing, & from a height of about 1 foot off the ground, he dropped the kitten feet-1st into the soft plush lawn. The kitten just stood up & shook himself off, looking a little confused but obviously unhurt. This incident was witnessed by both of our neighbor couples. Both couples knew of my son's classification in the school system. The 1st couple promptly called my son's special ed teacher & told her that my son was dangerous & needed to be locked up & kept away from other children completely.The 2nd couple went to my son in the yard, & gently, carefully showed him the correct way to handle the kitten, & explained to him that the kitten was like neither our older cat (he'd never done anything to hurt her, & he never would have done anything like this to her, she'd never let him & she was also too big for him to lift) nor was the kitten like all his stuffed animal toys. Once explained to him, he never did anything like that again. My son & that kitten have grown up together, and completely mutually adore each other.Sometimes, with all the knowledge someone has, (I'm guilty of this too) you can read things into incidents that really aren't there.Your child, even with all her experience of being around pets, still needs to be actually taught how to properly treat them, just as Aspergers kids need to be taught how to interact with other children.Candace in Colorado> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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