| Speech Therapy For Autism | | | | Hippotherapy has been used for conditions such |
| The word hippotherapy is derived from the | | | | as cerebral palsy (CP), developmental delays, |
| Greek word "hippo," that means "horse." It | | | | traumatic brain injury, stroke, and autism. Speech |
| describes physical, occupational, or speech therapy | | | | Therapy For Autism |
| too uses the multidimensional movement of a | | | | Hippotherapy has been used in the U.S. since the |
| walking horse to stimulate the rider and boost | | | | 1970's. However, it is still considered an |
| grow balance, well posture, mobility, coordination, | | | | experimental and investigational treatment |
| and strength. Often, hippotherapy aids mental | | | | because there is insufficient scientific evidence for |
| functioning, improves mood and self-confidence as | | | | its effectiveness in the treatment of CP, autism, |
| well. Speech Therapy For Autism | | | | and other conditions characterized by motor |
| The rhythmic and multidimensional movement of | | | | dysfunction. A recent study by Bass, Duchowny, |
| the horse provides variable yet repetitive sensory | | | | and Llabre (2009) examined the effects of a |
| stimulation to patients. That stimulation can be | | | | 12-week-long therapeutic horseback intervention |
| varied and manipulated by a trained therapist to | | | | on social functioning in children with autistic |
| fit a patient's needs and stimulate improved | | | | spectrum disorder. Speech Therapy For Autism |
| functioning of daily living. For example, physical | | | | The results showed improved social interaction |
| therapists can use a variety of horse movements | | | | and less inattention and distractibility in autistic |
| to improve gross motor abilities, such as sitting, | | | | children. These findings indicate that hippotherapy |
| standing, and walking. | | | | may have a place in the treatment of children |
| According to the American Hippotherapy | | | | with autism. However, more studies need to |
| Association, hippotherapy is indicated for children | | | | demonstrate its therapeutic effectiveness before |
| and adults with mild to severe neuromuscular | | | | hippotherapy is widely recommended as a |
| dysfunction. It aids impairments such as abnormal | | | | treatment for autism. Don't let your love ones |
| muscle tone; impaired balance, coordination, and | | | | suffer anymore! Lead them out through Speech |
| sensory function; postural asymmetry; poor | | | | Therapy For Autism program now! |
| postural control; and decreased mobility. | | | | |