Papers
3
Total Citations
69
H-Index
3
About
Mariely Lima is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a particular focus on leveraging human-animal interaction to improve behavioral and social outcomes. Her work centers on how both living and robotic dogs can serve as powerful therapeutic tools for individuals with severe ASD and language delay. Lima’s major contributions include demonstrating that dogs can help children with ASD comply with challenging demands, as shown in her 2017 study (31 citations), and that both living and robotic dogs effectively elicit social communication and regulated emotional responses, detailed in her 2019 comparative study (25 citations). She has also explored the potential of dogs to trigger spontaneous imitation in individuals with severe ASD (13 citations), a clinically significant finding for skill development. Her innovative use of live versus robotic animals provides critical insights into the mechanisms of animal-assisted therapy. With over 69 combined citations across her most-cited works, Lima’s research is foundational for developing evidence-based, animal-inclusive interventions that improve quality of life for people with autism.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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