How to Determine If My Child Needs an Emotional Support Animal?

Emotional support animals got extra-popular lately.

Researched, written by Amber & The Team
Updated on December 16, 2022

Boy With Adhd Hugging Emotional Support Animal (Golden Retriever)

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Some animals like dogs or cats have been known to be great companions throughout human history. They have an intangible quality that makes people feel good when around them, and this bond is very vital in children.

Some animals can help people with medical conditions like blindness, hearing impairment, or epilepsy. But do you know whether your child qualifies for the emotional support animals? If your child has any of the disorders mentioned below, they might require an ESA.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are significant signs that your kids need an emotional support animal. In most cases, anxiety manifests as persistent fears or worries that disrupt their ability to play in school or engage in normal activities with their friends.

Diagnosis of these disorders includes obsessive-compulsive disorders. If you notice changes in their moods resulting from anxiety, you need to get an emotional support animal letter and find the best animal for the child. You can check on the internet how to get ESA letter. This will help you greatly in determining the right course of action.

Autism spectrum disorder

This is a developmental disorder caused by differences in the brain. Most kids with autism spectrum disorder have issues with social communication and interaction. They have repetitive behaviors and interests. Whenever you notice these signs in your child, you must find ways to get an emotional support animal as fast as possible.

Kids with this disorder avoid eye contact and rarely smile when you even smile at them. They quickly get upset if they don’t like a particular smell, sound, or taste. Emotional support animals will provide that bridge by drawing the child’s attention from others and making them social over time.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

If your child has an attention deficit, that’s a clear sign that the child needs an emotional support animal. Hyperactivity disorder is a chronic condition that affects millions of children worldwide and affects them for a prolonged period. It manifests through difficulties sustaining attention, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity.

If the condition is not treated early, the child grows up with poor time management skills. Even though there are no definite ways to cure ADHD, there are several ways to manage this condition, and one of them includes emotional support animals. Whenever you notice the symptoms stated above, it’s time to act and get a letter for the ESA.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders range from preoccupation with ideal body type or disordered thinking about weight loss to unsafe eating. Effects of eating disorders can result in emotional and social dysfunction and other life-threatening conditions. As a parent, you can easily tell when your child is suffering from eating disorders.

You have to be observative, and you will notice that the child refuses to take their meals. Emotional support animals can help improve anxiety, low self-esteem, and the overall quality of life, suppressing the effects of eating disorders.

Depression and other mood disorders

Depression refers to persistent feelings of loss of interest and sadness that disrupt the child’s ability to participate in school activities actively. Kids with depression and other mood disorders rarely participate in outdoor activities while at school. If you notice your child has extreme behavioral highs that are risky or unsafe, you need to take action as fast as possible.

You can get an emotional support animal for the child. ESAs have a relaxing effect, which can improve the kid’s mood. Research shows that touch increases oxytocin levels and reduces cortisol, the famous hormone responsible for stress.

In most cases, dogs are highly preferred for kids with mental disorders. Dogs provide a sense of love and affection for the child, which helps relieve them from the disorders they are going through. They are a great companion that can help the child ease the symptoms of numerous troubling mental issues. Below is a list of the best ESA dogs you can get for your child.

Labrador retriever. This is one of the top-notch emotional support animals as nothing seems to them much. These dogs are trustworthy and dependable. They are great for eating disorders as they are super food motivated. Labrador retrievers don’t need any special training for them to be caring. It all depends on how the kid associates with it.
Corgi. Corgis are often happy and playful dogs, making them a great choice for the ESA for the child. Watching these dogs play can bring excitement to the child. They are less temperamental and affectionate with a touch of boldness.
Great Dane. Great Dane’s towering physique makes a great impression that can be appealing to the child. These dog breeds are very loyal and affectionate. Being aloof when someone new gets close to the child will boost the child’s confidence. The child feels protected, and this allows them to explore a lot. This explains why these dogs should be considered an ESA for the child.

An emotional service animal might be a helpful idea to try for people who struggle with mental wellness. As with everything health-related, make sure to consult your health care provider before making any treatment choices.

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