Scientists say that autism isn’t uniquely human, as new evidence shows dogs can be on the spectrum.
According to Dr Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist from Nottingham Trent University, pooches can be neurodiverse in just the same way as their owners.
Dr Boyd says that our faithful companions can have similar structural and chemical differences in their brains to those found in humans.
This means dogs can show symptoms that would be diagnosed as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in humans.
Currently, there is no formal diagnosis for autism or ADHD in dogs, and vets group this behaviour under the broad umbrella of ‘Canine Dysfunctional Behaviour’ (CDB).
However, Dr Boyd says that scientists are now starting to give serious attention to the idea that animals might experience the world differently because of diversity in how their brains function.
Dr Boyd told Daily Mail: ‘Some dogs might be very much like the neurotypical human, whereas other dogs might be more neurodivergent and be more like someone with autism or ADHD.’
So, here’s how you can tell if your dog is autistic.
Scientists say that dogs can be just as neurodivergent as their owners, meaning your pooch might have autism or ADHD (stock image)
Neurodivergence is a term scientists use to talk about the differences in how some people’s brains function.
In humans, this can cause conditions that shape how some people interact with the world.
That includes learning disabilities like dyslexia and dyspraxia, or more life-changing conditions like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.
Scientists used to think these conditions were unique to humans, but modern research is showing that this isn’t necessarily the case.
Research has now shown that many different animals, including dogs, rats, mice, and primates, can have behavioural and genetic signs that would be diagnosed as neurodivergence in humans.
However, diagnosing neurodivergence in dogs is extremely difficult.
Dr Boyd says: ‘Giving a human diagnosis to an animal that can’t speak in the same way that we do is a really difficult thing.
‘But what we can say is that they will sometimes exhibit behaviour tendencies that in a human would meet diagnostic criteria for a neurodivergent condition.’
The brains of autistic people have subtle differences, such as those in the regions associated with language and facial recognition (pictured). Scientists say dogs might have similar structural differences in their brains
One of the most obvious behavioural tendencies is a high level of impulsivity or poor impulse control.
People with ADHD often have an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which are important for emotional stability and focus.
Research has also shown that low levels of these neurotransmitters are associated with impulsivity in dogs.
Dr Boyd adds: ‘An easy one that I will always pick up on is something like hypervigilance of hyperfocus.’
These traits make a dog extremely watchful or intensely interested in the external world, and they ‘mimic’ some of the traits that would be characteristic of some forms of ADHD or autism.
Some dogs might also show signs that would typically be associated with autism in humans.
This could include an excessive sensitivity to certain sounds, like fireworks or shouting.
Likewise, dogs might display some of the social difficulties associated with autism in people.
Studies have shown that some beagles have a mutation in a gene called Shank3 that is associated with autism in humans. These dogs also have less interest in socialising
Research has shown that some beagles have a mutation in a gene called Shank3 that is linked to autism in humans.
Studies have found that this is also accompanied by reduced signalling between cells in areas of the brain associated with attention and lower levels of ‘neural coupling’.
Whenever humans interact in social situations, the patterns of activity in our brains and bodies begin to fall into synchronised patterns, and the same thing happens with dogs.
However, dogs with autism-like symptoms don’t show the same levels of neural synchronisation with humans as more neurotypical dogs
Dogs with this gene have difficulties socialising and a low desire to interact with people.
This could show up as anxiety around other dogs or a disinterested attitude towards humans.
However, Dr Boyd points out that the signs of neurodivergence in dogs are likely to be just as varied as they are in the human population.
She says: ‘The human population is neurodiverse, in that there are lots of neurotypes, and we probably have the same in dogs and lots of other species.’
Dogs with autistic traits show lower levels of ‘neural coupling’, meaning that their brain activity doesn’t synchronise with humans as much as other dogs (illustrated)
‘It’s maybe less about saying whether your dog is neurodivergent, and more about recognising that we have neurodiversity.’
That means dog owners need to pay attention to their dog’s particular needs or difficulties and try to accommodate those.
However, if you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour, the best thing to do is seek expert help.
Dr Boyd adds: ‘They should absolutely be seeking a veterinary check-up and working with a fully qualified behaviourist or trainer.’
