Can dogs have Autism? Patricia Jordan, DVM recently wrote an article about Autism in Dogs for Dogs Naturally Magazine in February this year.<\/strong> In human, autism is defined as a condition that impacts the nervous system, and symptoms and signs can vary, but range from having difficulty being in social situations, having communication issues, or exhibiting obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs can also exhibit similar behaviors, but in veterinary medicine, this is referred to as \u201ccanine dysfunctional behavior,\u201d rather than autism. Autism in dogs<\/a>, or canine dysfunctional behavior, is an idiopathic condition, which means that the cause is unknown. What we do know is that it\u2019s congenital, and that dogs exhibiting dysfunctional behaviors are born with the condition. Studies suggest that dogs with canine dysfunctional behavior lack certain mirror neurons in their brains which are believed to help dogs learn social norms.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These neurons are called mirror neurons because they help young dogs \u201cmirror\u201d older dogs and other canines to learn how to function in a social setting. Without these neurons, a dog will be unable to develop the skills needed to build social relationships.<\/strong><\/p>\nD Jardim-Messeder \u00b7 2017<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In the 1960\u2019s, veterinarians noted autism-like symptoms in dogs. As autism research and education advances<\/a>, veterinary professionals and dog owners are also discovering that dogs can react and experience the world in a way similar to people with autism.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n