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Emotional support animals (ESAs) can offer powerful emotional grounding, sensory relief, and companionship to people with autism across the spectrum. From reducing anxiety and improving sleep to helping with routine and communication, the presence of a loving animal can make navigating daily life feel more manageable and connected.
Imagine walking into a room where the lights are harsh and buzzing in your brain, every noise feels sharper than it should, and emotions can come in tidal waves that leave you drained. You want to connect and feel understood, but it’s like there’s a barrier you can’t quite cross. If that sounds familiar, you might be living with autism.
While the symptoms are different for everyone, many people with autism feel like navigating an overstimulating world where people don’t say what they truly mean is exhausting. You might even have to mask parts of yourself and feel like you can’t fully be yourself for fear of judgment or rejection.
With more acceptance around autism, and research behind what helps, new all-natural options are becoming more acceptable — one of them being Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).
Whether you’re an adult trying to make it through a stressful workday or a parent watching your child struggle to self-soothe after a meltdown, the experience can feel isolating. ESAs can help buffer that stress by offering a steady, consistent, judgment-free grounding presence.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what an ESA really is, how they can support people with autism, and how to qualify for one — whether you’re navigating this for yourself or someone you love.
Emotional support animals can be a meaningful addition to the lives of individuals with autism by offering consistent, non-judgmental companionship and support. They help with emotional regulation, reduce isolation, and bring calming structure to daily life. Whether it's a dog offering routine and outdoor activity, or a cat providing quiet comfort, ESAs can be uniquely tuned to the needs of each individual. With a legitimate ESA letter, people with autism are protected under housing laws and can legally live with their ESA in most U.S. residences.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how you experience communication, emotions, and the environment. It’s called a spectrum because everyone with ASD will have their own unique symptoms. Some of the most common traits are:
An ESA is meant to help you feel more comforted, supported, and calm. They’re there to offer judgment-free and consistent emotional support and companionship.
For people with autism, they can be particularly beneficial if communicating with others feels overwhelming or stressful. Animals have their own way of interacting, and it’s always open and honest. You don’t have to guess how they’re feeling or worry that what they’re saying isn’t really the truth. And best of all, you don’t have to feel any pressure to mask parts of yourself to feel accepted by them.
With an ESA, you can be wholly yourself and loved unconditionally.
While an ESA isn’t for everyone, they might be a good fit if you’re open to caring for an animal and looking for help in these areas:
The research backs up ESA's potential benefits. For example, a recent systematic review of 85 studies highlighted that Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) can lead to improvements in social interaction and emotional well-being for people with autism.
In other studies, ESAs were shown to help with anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Just 10 minutes of interaction could lead to a decrease in cortisol and increase in oxytocin, the “love hormone”.
Pettable also has its fair share of ESA success stories, where you can hear how others found more calm in their life with their furry companions.
ESAs and service animals aren’t the same. ESAs are meant to support you emotionally and help reduce symptoms, like anxiety or loneliness. Service dogs, on the other hand, are professionally trained to perform tasks specific to your needs, like reminding you to take medication.
Knowing which type of animal is for you takes a bit of research and understanding of your needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of their differences:
Every type of animal is going to offer something different. Even different breeds of dogs or cats have their own unique personality and benefits. Taking some time to spend with different shelter animals might be your best bet for finding the connection you’re looking for. Here’s a general idea of what different animals can offer:
Getting a legitimate ESA letter can be a simple 3-step process. Here’s how to start:
If you have an official ESA letter, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) guarantees you can live anywhere in the U.S. with your ESA — even in housing with no pet policies. You won’t need to pay a pet deposit, and the housing ownership can’t restrict any type of breed, either.
Since 2021, airlines aren’t required to accept ESAs in the cabin. Only trained service animals are allowed. That means you can take your ESA on the flight, but they’re subject to pet and carrier fees and regulations. That includes size requirements where a cat or small dog may fit under your seat, but larger animals will have to go in the cargo hold under the plane.
If you have a service dog, they can go in the cabin with you, but may be denied depending on their size or risk. You may also have to fill out DOT Air Travel forms, attesting to their health.
Service dogs are also allowed to go anywhere in public with you, provided they’re under control. ESAs, however, don’t get that same guarantee. They’re not required to be accepted in public places, like government offices or businesses.
1. Can someone with autism qualify for an ESA?
Yes, if autism significantly impacts your daily life and well-being and an ESA helps, you can qualify for an official ESA letter.
2. Is a service animal better than an ESA for autism?
It depends on your needs. ESAs are great for emotional support and can be any animal if just having them at home is enough. However, if you need help with alerts, like panic attacks or medication reminders, or if you want to be sure you can take them with you anywhere, a service animal is best.
3. What type of animal is best for children with autism?
It depends on the child’s sensory preferences and needs. For example, if they want a large presence and the ability to go outdoors together, a dog would be best. You can look at specific articles on the best animal breeds for different symptoms and conditions.
4. Do airlines accept ESAs for passengers with autism?
Airlines aren’t obliged to accept ESAs in the cabin. They may be accepted with certain airlines, but are subject to pet fees and carrier rules.
5. What if my child already has a pet — can it become an ESA?
Yes, an ESA letter can be written for an animal you already have. You only need a licensed mental health professional, like those with Pettable, to give an online assessment. They have to determine whether your child emotionally benefits from their pet, with a reduction in symptoms.
Jennifer is a Nutritionist and Health Counselor specializing in emotional and mindful eating, weight loss, and stress management. She has degrees in both Psychology and Nutrition from Western University, Canada. You can learn more about Jennifer at her website.
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