Abstract: Aim and Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a complex childhood neurological disorder that affects all aspects of child development. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention program using animals to improve cognitive, social, behavioral functioning , and communication in children with autism spectrum disorders. Methods and Materials: 14 children with autism were selected and randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control and before and after the intervention program l Autism Treatment Evaluation check list (ATEC) was completed by mothers. Findings: In order to analyze the test data, Multivariable analyses of covariance ( MANCOVA ) was used. all variables, cognitive functioning , social, communication and behavioral were meaningfully P<0.001 found. Conclusions: Since the decline of the all subscales score indicates improvement in ATEC test , thus, according to the completed checklists by mothers, animal assisted therapy could greatly enhance the cognitive functioning , social, communication and behavioral and have a positive impact among children with autism spectrum.

Keywords: Cognitive Functioning, Social, Communication and Behavioral, Animal Assisted Therapy, Autism.

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