Re: Video - Aspergers and Cats

[KayMaria]

Hi Fiona

My son has Aspergers and a year ago I came home with a little kitten for him and my daughter (which they were both thrilled about) but about two days later I found my son in the corner of their playroom holding the kitty by the neck and bashing it on the head. He wouldn't tell me why he did it he just cried and said I"m sorry (he was about 5 years old). I tried many times after that to get the little kitten to take to my son again but it just wouldn't. Can you give me some insight as to why he might have done that? I'd like to get a cat again now that he's a bit older (he's 7 now)  but I have to say I'm a little scared to. Any advice you give will be greatly appreciated thank you. 

[MM]

Possible get a fully grown female cat.  I was rough on kittens at age 6(I never killed them but I picked them up by the tails) but I loved pussy cats from about 7 on wards( I developed a conciousness and was sorry from that day on wards to cats..  I am now one of the biggest sulks for cats.  My advice get a female pussy cat and probably something like celico or a tortishell(or a tortie persion).  Introduce it to the house and see how he reacts to it.  Or take your son to an animal shelter and see how he interacts with the cats.  But yes you cannot have him doing that to kittens and pussy cats

[Aspergers Girl]

I'm sorry I really don't know but I can tell you its not to do with aspergers. From a young child I would get immensly upset when thinking about animal cruelty.

Maybe he was having a meltdown or was upset with the kitten for some reason? It's also possible he doesn't understand that it's a little being and not a toy.

I really hope he feels comfortable telling you. Have you spoken about it since then? I wouldn't get another pet until you establish the cause of it - It's not fair on the animal if it happens again.