Can Horses Help Children With Autism?
For many children with autism, horseback riding has been an excellent therapy
. Finger stims is something many children with autism do almost constantly, and it seems that therapeutic horseback riding stops this need. Stimming often gets in the way of daily life for autistic children, and while on a horse, it goes away for a while for some children.Most children with autism that are involved in the program go about once a week, riding either in an outside or inside ring at different speeds with the same horse partner and specially trained instructor along with a volunteer. Lots of children on the autism spectrum become very bonded to the horse and the riding. It enables the children to have better self-confidence, and even greater language skills as the association with riding is made. This is crucial, as many children with autism talk little, or not at all.
Autistic children learn that they can communicate with the horse using language that is nonverbal. They see that when they make a certain sound, the horse will respond to it. Also, they can more easily see how what they do effects what the horse does.
Parents of children with autism that are using riding therapy say that for the first time, many of their children are communicating more. It is believed that since horseback riding is rhythmic in nature, children with autism can more easily become in tune with it.
When in occupational therapy, autistic children often sit on swings, or sit on a bouncy ball that allows them a sense of calm with the rhythm of the activity. On a horse, they get the movement, as well as get to be outside and on a horse, which has proven more therapeutic for many children.
The horse and child usually form a very strong bond, since children with autism are able to command a huge animal. This gives them loads of self-confidence, and since the horse doesn't expect them to talk or make eye contact, autistic children needn't worry about verbalization. In addition, they often bond with horses because they don't have to worry about the social issues faced with human interaction.
Most of the horses used for riding therapy are older animals that are very gentle, and seem to adapt well to special needs children. They seem to be aware that the child they are taking for a ride has certain needs, and are gentler than with others. The horse will often stop or slow if they feel the child moving around a great deal while in the saddle.
While many children with autism will benefit from therapeutic riding, for others, it might take a little longer for that special bond to develop between horse and child.
For lots of children with autism, they simply enjoy the riding, just as any other child would. They can learn a host of skills, like paying attention, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, listening, and lots of coordination. They have a tremendous time with the horse and learn things without even realizing it.
Many children with autism can benefit greatly from therapeutic horseback riding today.
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