For Summer Farrelly, the intricate social dynamics of the playground often felt like an unsolvable puzzle. Growing up with autism, navigating the complex world of human interaction presented significant challenges. School days could be a struggle, a feeling Summer often overcame by anticipating the comfort and understanding found in their feathered companions.
“My motivation to get through the school day would be being able to see my chickens again,” Summer shared. “And I know that they also looked forward to being able to see me at the end of the day, too. They hug you back. It’s adorable.”
This profound connection began when Summer was just an 18-month-old toddler, receiving their first chicken. From that moment, a lifelong passion and a unique perspective on the world took flight. At one point, Summer’s flock swelled to a vibrant twenty birds, each contributing to a growing understanding of life’s complexities.
From Flock to Foresight: Chickens as Teachers
As Summer grew, the family’s chickens became more than just pets; they evolved into Summer’s most insightful teachers. Observing their behaviour, Summer began to unravel the nuanced social hierarchies within the flock.
“I realised they had this social hierarchy that was really intricate, and they all had these little personalities,” Summer explained. “Watching the way they interacted with each other, I realised it was really similar to the way that the kids on the playground interacted. With my little autistic brain, I made all these connections and … I began to interact with the kids on the playground in that similar manner.”
This unique insight, born from the simple observation of chickens, proved to be a powerful tool for Summer. It facilitated a deeper understanding of human social cues and allowed for more effective engagement with peers. While Summer grew up in Bundaberg, they now reside in Armidale, New South Wales, pursuing a degree in zoology at the University of New England.
Empowering Others Through Animal-Assisted Learning
Recognising the potential of their chicken-inspired approach, 19-year-old Summer sought to extend this valuable lesson to other children facing similar challenges. At the age of 12, a remarkable initiative took shape: Summer penned the book “Chickens to Love” and developed an innovative animal-assisted learning program.
This program was designed to leverage the inherent social behaviours of chickens to teach crucial life skills to young individuals with autism. These skills include understanding social dynamics, developing self-advocacy, and mastering emotional self-regulation. Summer began by implementing the program with a disability support group in Bundaberg, working directly with young autistic people.
A key component of the “Chickens to Love” program involves observing the subtle cues and reactions of chickens. This practice helps participants identify and understand their own emotions, a skill Summer themselves had to develop.
“When you’re with animals, they can tell how you’re feeling, and when they back off from you, it helps you realise that the way you act impacts other people,” Summer noted. This direct, non-judgmental feedback loop provided by animals offers a safe space for learning and self-discovery.
Bridging the Gap: Understanding Neurodiversity
Crucially, Summer emphasizes that the program is not about forcing neurodivergent individuals to conform to neurotypical expectations. Instead, it fosters mutual understanding and acceptance.
“It completely can be flipped around, and it’s on neurotypical people, understanding neurodivergent people better,” Summer stated. “Being able to understand that … everybody has different thought processes and different communication styles.” This perspective shifts the focus from remediation to appreciation of diverse ways of thinking and interacting.
Summer’s mother, Cynthia Farrelly, initially harboured reservations about chickens, but her perspective, like Summer’s, evolved significantly. As Summer navigated their journey with autism, Cynthia embarked on her own path of self-discovery.
“As my children were starting to get diagnosed, it was then that I delved into my own diagnosis,” Cynthia revealed. At the age of 39, Cynthia also received an autism diagnosis. This shared experience has undoubtedly strengthened their bond and mutual understanding.
The Future of “Chickens to Love”
Currently, Summer collaborates with disability support groups and individual support workers virtually, enabling them to deliver the “Chickens to Love” learning program across different locations. While the program’s core strength lies in its use of chickens, Summer acknowledges the adaptability of the model.
“Most people do want to keep the chicken element, though, because they’re such an amazing animal,” Summer concluded. The unique charm and insightful nature of chickens continue to make them the preferred animal ambassador for this impactful program, fostering connection and understanding for individuals of all ages.
