Fish are great

[Megfish]

Hi All
I just wanted to post a message regarding my tropicals and my son who is profoundly Autistic.He doesnt talk and rocks back and forth when a little stressed.(He doesnt get Ich Though). We have set up with a Recliner lounge chair in there to observe the fish and relax.When ever he is in there he settles down and watches the fish for 10/15 mins which is amazing as we can hardly get him to sit still at all.He is really quiet and gentle when aproaching the tank it is a nice relaxation therapy.
Cheers

 

[Synirr]

(He doesnt get Ich Though).

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That's really interesting! I've heard of a lot of cases where animals have gotten through to autistic children. I've seen some shows on Animal Planet where horse riding therapy was very successful, but it's neat to hear that fish can lend a helping hand (or fin, as the case may be) too

 

[LoachLover]

That's awesome to hear that the fish are helping him kind of chill out for awhile

 

[SarahBravo]

My nephew is autistic and he loves watching fish too. Trouble is, he loves his food and he assumes the fish do too, so unless you watch him for every second he starts shovelling food in there. There are 3 goldfish, one big one, a smaller one and a teeny one. He calls them Daddy Fish, Mummy Fish and Baby Fish and has long conversations with them, and is very solicitous of the baby. He loves their cat too, and will spend hours snuggled up on the bed with her, reading her Thomas the Tank Engine stories.

 

[C.j]

My brother is slightly autistic, but he cant stand my fish he IS into dogs though

 

[Ben]

Fish are said to be the second most relaxing thing to watch(but not to keep! ) I think the first being yoga,
So im not suprised he keeps calm around them.
Great news for you aswell

DD

 

[lady_tanksalot]

I teach autistic children in a mainstream primary school (and because of our good reputation we have a huge number for a school of our size).
Two years ago I introduced a tropical tank into my classroom and the children love it. Last year I moved the tank to the other side of the room so its now next to my settee but unfortunately its also next to my interactive white board. you can guess how much work we get done with a group of 8 children on the autistic spectrum and a 2 foot tank so the solution comes in the form of an old blanket.
We even have it built into our visual timetable, whiteboard on, blanket over fishtank.
Apart from the distraction it sometimes causes the tank has had huge beneficial effects on the children and at least 12 of the children in my groups have persuaded their parents to go out and buy them tanks for home.

 

[Andie]

That's very interesting to know. Do you think it's the soft lighting, the colours, the movement of the fish or a combination of these? My cousin is severely autistic, and I know that the family's dog certainly excites him, so I wonder if fish would calm him down. I'll mention it to my aunt and see if he's ever been around fish before- if not maybe she could bring him over to my place and we can see. My only concern would be he might try to pet them like he pets their dog

 

[Valkyrie]

My friend always wants to pet my fish, and she's not even autistic. She doesn't have a whole lot of common sense. I think I've finally started get the point across that fish don't like being petted.

 

[Dawney G]

People with autistic tendencies are also relaxed and calmed by any calm soothing lights. Bubble tanks, lava lamps and even them fish lamps are very helpful. Calm music is great for them too. Classical being one of them. (although im not into classical music, it is still very relaxing). Fish are normally calm and floaty, very soothing for anyone. Swimming with dolphins is great for autism.
They also love petting any animals, rabbits, cats, dogs, you name it. If you own an animal it is supposed to help you lead a less stressful life. Very interesting fact.
xx
dawney g

 

[lady_tanksalot]

People with autistic tendencies are also relaxed and calmed by any calm soothing lights. Bubble tanks, lava lamps and even them fish lamps are very helpful. Calm music is great for them too. Classical being one of them. (although im not into classical music, it is still very relaxing). Fish are normally calm and floaty, very soothing for anyone. Swimming with dolphins is great for autism.
They also love petting any animals, rabbits, cats, dogs, you name it. If you own an animal it is supposed to help you lead a less stressful life. Very interesting fact.
xx
dawney g

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I have to say that’s a bit of a generalization, people on the autistic spectrum are often over stimulated by things and because they have difficulties with filtering input they can become very anxious by some sensory things . A lot of people on the spectrum do like animals and fish and other kinds of stimulus but some can’t stand them.
I often take my dog to school but cant take him on days when a certain boy is in my class because he freaks, also one other boy has to have the sensory lights turned off or he wont come into the room at all. Most of the children in my groups love calming music but two boys have to wear ear defenders when we listen to some types of classical music or they get very anxious.

one word of advice though, people with autistic spectrum disorder take things very literally, so when one mum told her son she needed to clean the tank he thought he'd help. Unfortunately the washing up liquid he added killed all the fish. He later insisted I put up a notice over my tank at school that says

"Please do not put anything toxic in the water or the fish will float to the top and have to go in the wheelie bin"

 

[SarahBravo]

My nephew luckily isn't sensitive to sound, he's one of 3 boys under 6 years old - my brother's house seems to be very noisy chaos most of the time! He is very sensitive to touch though we have to be careful to make sure his clothes are really soft. Most of the time he takes them off though, and will quite happily talk to the postman, milkman and any guests stark naked!! He also has a thing for the textures of food and mostly eats with his fingers, not because he can't use a knife and fork, but because the feel of the food is as enjoyable as it's taste to him. Sometimes makes for very sticky hugs!

 

[Fishy411]

i have a cousin who is slightly autistic. hes got his own 10 gallon tank and loves it to death. every time he comes to visit which is often because he lives close the first two questions are
1- can i go see the fish tank
and
2- did you get any new fish?
he bought a USD cat which is helping him take care of teh tank more and my aunt said he could get an even bigger tank soon adn he is soo happy.