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Journal of autism and developmental disorders2014; 44(8); 1897-1907; doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2062-5

Effects of equine assisted activities on autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract: Quality of life assessments were used in this study to determine the behavioral changes of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in equine assisted activities. Behavioral changes of children with ASD participating in 9 weeks of equines assisted activities (EAA) (N = 10) were compared to behavioral changes of children who participated in a non-equine intervention (N = 8). Parents noted significant improvements in their child's physical, emotional and social functioning following the first 6 weeks of EAA. The children participating in the non-equine program also demonstrated improvement in behavior, but to a lesser degree. The favorable outcome of this study lends support for continuation of programs utilizing EAA in the treatment of children with ASD.
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Publication Date: 2014-02-15 PubMed ID: 24526337DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2062-5Google 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.

This research investigates the impact of horse-assisted activities on the behavioral changes in children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study found that parents noticed a significant improvement in their child’s physical, emotional, and social functions following participation in six weeks of equine-assisted activities compared to those in non-equine interventions.

Study Methodology and Participants

  • The research compared the behavioral changes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who participated in equine-assisted activities (10 participants total) versus those who participated in non-equine interventions (8 participants total).
  • The Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) were conducted for a period of 9 weeks. The non-equine intervention was not elaborated on but was used as a control to compare with the effects of EAA.

Efficacy of Equine Assisted Activities

  • Parents of the participants were the primary source of assessment in the study. They reported significant improvements in their children’s physical, emotional, and social behavior after 6 weeks of EAA.
  • Physical improvements could imply enhanced motor skills and coordination. Emotional improvements may refer to better regulation and expression of emotions, and social improvements could mean that the children improved in interacting with others.

Comparative Improvement in non-Equine Interventions

  • The children participating in non-equine interventions still showed behavior improvement, but the impact was less significant compared to those engaged in EAA.
  • The degree of this improvement wasn’t clarified, but it affirms the influence of interventions, whether equine assisted or not, in helping improve behaviors associated with ASD.

Overall Impact of the Study

  • The study concluded that programs utilizing Equine Assisted Activities have a noticeable positive effect on children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • This research provides evidence to consider the continuation and possible expansion of such programs as potential therapeutic interventions for children with ASD.

Cite This Article

APA
Lanning BA, Baier ME, Ivey-Hatz J, Krenek N, Tubbs JD. (2014). Effects of equine assisted activities on autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord, 44(8), 1897-1907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2062-5

Publication

Journal of autism and developmental disorders
ISSN: 1573-3432
NlmUniqueID: 7904301
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 8
Pages: 1897-1907

Researcher Affiliations

Lanning, Beth A
  • Health, Human Performance, and Recreation Department, Baylor University, One Bear Place, 97313, Waco, TX, 76798, USA, Beth_Lanning@baylor.edu.
Baier, Margaret E Matyastik
    Ivey-Hatz, Julie
      Krenek, Nancy
        Tubbs, Jack D

          MeSH Terms

          • Adolescent
          • Animals
          • Child
          • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology
          • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / therapy
          • Child, Preschool
          • Equine-Assisted Therapy
          • Female
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Male
          • Parents
          • Quality of Life
          • Treatment Outcome

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          This article has been cited 29 times.
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