Exploring the Impact of Animal Involvement in the Learning Experiences of Learners Mainly With Autism in the English West Midlands Region: A Qualitative Study

Zenenga, Abide, Phillips, Jenny, Nyashanu, Mathew and Ekpenyong, Mandu Stephen (2023) Exploring the Impact of Animal Involvement in the Learning Experiences of Learners Mainly With Autism in the English West Midlands Region: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Education, 203 (1). pp. 10-17. ISSN 0022-0574

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Abstract

Learners with autism are affected by different challenges during learning. There is a growing focus on education to facilitate learners to become more self-resilient by involving animals in learning spaces. This qualitative study explored the impact of animal involvement on the learning experiences of learners with autism. Twenty diaries, 32 questionnaires, and 40 guided narratives and pictorial voices were used to collect data. The study found that learners demonstrated improved communication, imagination, empathy, motivation, calculation skills, responsibility, and well-being while interacting with animals. The study concluded that involving animals in the learning spaces has significant positive impact on learners.