overall quality of life of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but there was not as large of a difference compared to the control group as they hypothesized (Lanning et al., 2014).
Gabriels et al. (2012) did a pilot study to evaluate the effects of equine therapy on self-regulation behaviors, adaptive skills, and motor skills of school age children to adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study had 42 participants that were split up into groups of three to four to participate in the riding lessons. The lessons were focused on the individual’s therapy and their horsemanship. The instructors set individual therapeutic and horsemanship goals for the participants. Each lesson followed the same routine of putting on a helmet, mounting the horse, riding activities, dismounting, grooming, and putting away all of the equipment (Gabriels et al., 2012).
At the end of the 10-week program, the participants showed improvements in their irritability, lethargy, stereotype behavior, hyperactivity, and inappropriate speech. They also showed improvements in their adaptability, communication, social aspects, and expressive language. Based on these results, the authors concluded that equine therapy could help an …show more content…
These individuals have an increased difficulty in social situations, as they are unable to participate in many aspects that are required of a social relationship. By using horses, these individuals are able to experience the same thing as their more socially advanced peers. Regardless of if the individual can speak, the horse will still respond to their body language and cues. This response allows them to learn the effect that their actions can have. They are also still able to feel the texture and the warmth of their horse, and experience the relaxing effects that this elicits naturally on
Gabriels et al. (2012) did a pilot study to evaluate the effects of equine therapy on self-regulation behaviors, adaptive skills, and motor skills of school age children to adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study had 42 participants that were split up into groups of three to four to participate in the riding lessons. The lessons were focused on the individual’s therapy and their horsemanship. The instructors set individual therapeutic and horsemanship goals for the participants. Each lesson followed the same routine of putting on a helmet, mounting the horse, riding activities, dismounting, grooming, and putting away all of the equipment (Gabriels et al., 2012).
At the end of the 10-week program, the participants showed improvements in their irritability, lethargy, stereotype behavior, hyperactivity, and inappropriate speech. They also showed improvements in their adaptability, communication, social aspects, and expressive language. Based on these results, the authors concluded that equine therapy could help an …show more content…
These individuals have an increased difficulty in social situations, as they are unable to participate in many aspects that are required of a social relationship. By using horses, these individuals are able to experience the same thing as their more socially advanced peers. Regardless of if the individual can speak, the horse will still respond to their body language and cues. This response allows them to learn the effect that their actions can have. They are also still able to feel the texture and the warmth of their horse, and experience the relaxing effects that this elicits naturally on