Parents’ perspectives on equine-assisted occupational therapy intervention for their children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Overview

• This study explored how parents of children with ADHD experienced the ASTride Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy (EAOT) intervention, focusing on changes in their children and themselves.
• The research aimed to understand the benefits, meanings, and environmental factors associated with this therapy from the parents’ perspectives.

Study Purpose and Context

• The research focused on the ASTride intervention, a specific form of Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy designed for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• It sought to gather detailed parent perspectives on how the intervention impacted children’s emotional and behavioral regulation, and how these effects extended to family dynamics.
• Understanding parents’ insights was critical to inform potential improvements in EAOT and support better generalization of therapeutic gains to everyday settings.

Methodology

• Participants: Thirteen parents of children aged 7-12 who completed the ASTride intervention participated in the study.
• Data Collection: Researchers conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews to gather rich qualitative data on parents’ experiences.
• Analysis Approach: A grounded theory methodology was used, involving:
  • Open coding to identify initial concepts
  • Category mapping to organize themes
  • Thematic modeling to develop central processes and integrate narratives

Key Findings – Parent-Perceived Benefits

• Benefits for Children:
  • Emotional growth, including improved confidence and self-regulation
  • Enhanced ability to manage emotions and behavior
  • Transfer of skills learned during therapy to environments beyond the stable, such as home and school
• Benefits for Parents:
  • Active involvement in therapy sessions, creating a collaborative family-centered approach
  • Increased self-reflection on parenting methods and challenges
  • Adoption of new supportive parenting strategies that generalized into daily routines
• Environmental Benefits:
  • The stable’s sensory-rich and calming natural environment facilitated engagement and focus
  • Positive interaction with horses motivated children and supported regulation processes relevant to therapy goals

Interpretation and Significance

• Parents described ASTride as a transformative intervention that extended benefits to the whole family system.
• The involvement of parents was crucial in recognizing and fostering therapeutic changes in children, promoting engagement and participation in various life settings.
• The sensory-rich stable setting was perceived as a unique therapeutic asset enhancing children’s responsiveness and motivation.
• Parental insights helped illuminate how children generalized regulation and participation skills beyond the therapeutic context into home, school, and social environments.
• This perspective underlines the importance of family-centered therapy models and the inclusion of naturalistic settings in pediatric occupational therapy.

Implications for Practice

• Therapists providing Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy can benefit from incorporating parent involvement to foster reflective practice and support strategy generalization.
• Designing interventions in sensory-rich environments such as stables may optimize therapeutic engagement and outcomes for children with ADHD.
• Understanding parents’ experiences can guide the refinement of EAOT programs to better address family needs and promote sustained improvements in children’s participation and regulation.

Summary

• Overall, the study demonstrates that the ASTride EAOT intervention supports emotional and behavioral regulation in children with ADHD through a holistic, family-centered approach.
• Parental involvement and the stable environment are pivotal factors contributing to the therapy’s effectiveness and the meaningful transfer of skills into everyday life.
• The research highlights the value of qualitative exploration of parents’ perspectives to enhance occupational therapy interventions for children with ADHD.