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International journal of environmental research and public health2019; 16(13); 2325; doi: 10.3390/ijerph16132325

Case Study: How Horses Helped a Teenager with Autism Make Friends and Learn How to Work.

Abstract: I was born in 1947 and had autism with speech delay until age four. I am now a college professor of animal science. Horse activities enabled me to make friends through a shared interest in horses. This paper describes the benefits that I experienced from working with horses and my friendships and work skills. A close friendship developed with another student through both riding and horse craft projects. Keeping employment is a serious problem for many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The responsibility of caring for horses and cleaning stalls every day taught me good work skills. My experiences suggest that there were valuable outcomes from working with horses. This may be a beneficial intervention to include in programming for youth with ASD.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-01 PubMed ID: 31266210PubMed Central: PMC6650820DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132325Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores how interactions with horses aided a teenager diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in socializing and learning beneficial work skills. It also discusses the possible advantages of introducing horse-related activities in programs aimed at assisting youths with ASD.

Autism and its Challenges

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often makes social interactions and communication difficult.
  • It can also hinder the development of vital skills necessary to perform daily tasks or work.
  • Consequently, maintaining employment poses a significant challenge for many individuals with ASD.

Horse Activities as a Solution

  • The study recounts the experiences of a teenager with ASD who was positively influenced by horse activities.
  • The shared interest in horses helped foster friendships, providing the teenager a platform for social interaction.
  • Riding and horse craft projects stimulated camaraderie between the teenager and another student, leading to a close friendship.

Acquisition of Work Skills

  • Beyond the social benefits, caring for horses and cleaning the stalls taught the teenager a sense of responsibility and introduced him to regular work routines.
  • These experiences formed the foundation for valuable work skills, easing the teenager’s transition into the professional sphere.

A Method for Intervention Programs

  • The author suggests the potential for integrating horse activities in intervention programs for youths with ASD based on the positive outcomes from their personal experience.
  • This approach can provide a holistic platform to youths with ASD not only for social interaction but also for learning valuable life and work skills.
  • However, the article does not expand on or provide rigorous scientific data to back this suggestion, warranting further research in this field to ascertain the viability of this method.

Cite This Article

APA
Grandin T. (2019). Case Study: How Horses Helped a Teenager with Autism Make Friends and Learn How to Work. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 16(13), 2325. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132325

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 13
PII: 2325

Researcher Affiliations

Grandin, Temple
  • Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. cheryl.miller@colostate.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
  • Empathy
  • Employment
  • Female
  • Friends
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Social Behavior

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Fine AH. The Psycho-Social Impact of Human-Animal Interactions. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Jun 3;17(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph17113964pubmed: 32503255google scholar: lookup
  2. Kilmer E, Spangler J, Kilmer J. Therapeutically applied Minecraft groups with neurodivergent youth. F1000Res 2023;12:216.
    doi: 10.12688/f1000research.129090.2pubmed: 38524402google scholar: lookup
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