Scientist claims dogs can be autistic like humans - here are the signs

"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.'"

Evidence indicates dogs can be neurodiverse, exhibiting structural and chemical brain differences similar to those found in humans. Such brain differences can produce behaviours that correspond to human diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). No formal veterinary diagnosis exists for autism or ADHD in dogs; such behaviours are currently classified under Canine Dysfunctional Behaviour (CDB). Multiple animal species show behavioural and genetic signs analogous to human neurodivergence. Diagnosing neurodivergence in nonverbal animals presents significant challenges. Scientific attention is increasing toward recognizing that individual animals may experience the world differently because of diversity in brain function.

Read at Mail Online