Early diagnosis of autism in the community is associated with marked improvement in social symptoms within 1-2 years
It is widely believed that early diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder is essential for better outcome. This
is demonstrated by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to screen all 1.5–2.5-year-old toddlers for
autism spectrum disorder. However, multiple longitudinal studies of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
at 1.5–6 years of age and treated in community settings have not reported any associations between earlier diagnosis
and improved outcome in core autism spectrum disorder symptoms.
The Role of Therapeutic Riding in Education
During the past eighteen years I have witnessed the countless benefits of horseback riding for innumerable challenged riders through the teaching and treatment
modality of Therapeutic Riding. The challenged or special learner, now, the
horseback rider has the experience of performing as a normal person, (i.e. being
mobile, independent of others and free), and having the opportunity to actively
participate in and upon the environment. The rider can improve self-image, self-respect,
and self-esteem. He is motivated by a sense of achievement, and experiences pure joy and carefree pleasure…
The Role of the EAA/T Practitioner
The role of the EAA/T practitioner is to support the clients in coping with real-life-issues. In order to do this effectively, the practitioner must not only have a deep understanding of themselves, but they must also know and understand the common objectives of their work, and be able to plan individualized, achievable therapeutic aims and objectives for each client. It goes without saying that they must have knowledge and an understanding of the horse or horses they are working with, in order to build a successful partnership that will ensure a safe and positive EAA/T service. In this Zoom lecture, I will offer some thoughts for personal reflection and suggest some strategies for assisting our challenged riders.
Volunteering: Leading and Side-walking Protocol
Globally, most EAA/T Centers rely on volunteer leaders and side walkers. Without volunteers, EAA/T centers throughout the world would not be able to function. The many thousands of volunteers are genuinely appreciated and regarded as extremely precious. It is part of any practitioner’s role to make volunteers welcome, motivated and feel part of the team. It is vital that they give time to training volunteers, so that they understand their role both in the arena, and in the environment of the EAA/T center. Practitioners and EAA/T centers should always ensure that their volunteers are rewarded for their work. In this lecture, I will share the ways practitioners must integrate the volunteers as full partners in the work.
Report: Exam Results and Findings- Unique EquineStudies School Matriculation
For Youth At-Risk academic life can be exceptionally challenging. Many drop out of the educational system and are left vulnerable, unmotivated, and unable to find satisfactory employment, training, and advancement.
In response to this issue, I developed an active learning program for teenagers that offered a school matriculation course for Equine Studies with the possibility of maximum points. This course was divided into three parts and was considered an agricultural science exam through which the students studied the inside and out of a horse, their environment, and comparing their form and development to other farm animals and birds. The aim of the course was to raise their self- esteem and allow them to develop a critical consciousness so that they too would have that sense of ownership, accomplishment, feeling that they were on a par with others by studying for and passing a valuable high school matriculation exam. In this Zoom lecture, I will explain the elements of the course and its specific impact upon the students.
Equine Assisted Activities and/ or Therapy for Paraplegic Riders
A person who is paraplegic is one who has received an interruption in the transmission of nerve impulses, stopping sensations and messages being passed to a particular part of their body. This results in complete loss of muscle power and possible sensation as well.
Equine Assisted Activities and /or Therapy (EAA/T)
It can be said that EAA/T began many centuries ago, when humans first realized the importance of their relationship with horses. The horse was drawn into every aspect of their life, and became relied upon for power, performance, pleasure, food and health. Emerging from the time of images, myths and magic, the horse became known as an excellent exerciser. Since Hippocrates, doctors have suggested the horse be used to exercise people and raise their spirts. Some even suggested it was good for digestion, while others, found the movement to resemble that of humans, and must be good for all life activities.
Today, EAA/T was developed through two models – the German and British model, and then shortly afterwards came the American Model.
Mounting and Dismounting Procedures
Do no harm: You are unlikely to do harm to your client/rider if you follow mounting and dismounting procedures to the best of your ability and judgement, and always consider how the chosen method benefits that specific challenged individual. It is vital that practitioners recognize mounting is the overture to the whole therapeutic session and as such underpins everything that follows.
Major EAA/T organizations have written their own procedures for safe mounting and dismounting. In this Zoom lecture, I will delve more deeply into detailed mounting and dismounting procedures.
Equine Assisted Activity and Therapy (EAA/T): Treatment Modality for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Since the Yom Kippur War, Israel has witnessed many of its soldiers returning home from campaigns with severe injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a severe mental health problem – a trauma and stressor related disorder that causes intense fear, helplessness, and often horror.