TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of Equine-Assisted Activities on Social and Sensory Functioning of Children with Autism
AU - Coman, Drew C.
AU - Bass, Margaret P.
AU - Alessandri, Michael
AU - Ghilain, Christine S.
AU - Llabre, Maria M.
N1 - Funding Information:
The development of this project and paper was supported with funding from the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF). The opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily reflective of the position of, or endorsed by, the HHRF.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - This is a replication, randomized control trial, that investigated the therapeutic effects of a 12-week equine-assisted (EA) intervention on the social and sensory functioning of children with autism. Reliability and stability of parent and teacher reports of children's social and sensory functioning across three assessment times were assessed, in support of the validity of observed outcomes. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that children in the EA group (n = 25) would significantly improve, relative to a wait-list control group (n = 25), in both domains of functioning. Results indicated that reports were reliable, and children in the experimental group improved in overall social and sensory functioning, as well as within specific subdomains, with "unblinded" assessment methods. Relative to the pre-assessment scores, children improved in functioning in specific areas at post-assessment and 8-weeks post-intervention. Therefore, results of the study suggest EA activities may be a beneficial modality for delivering autism-specific treatment strategies.
AB - This is a replication, randomized control trial, that investigated the therapeutic effects of a 12-week equine-assisted (EA) intervention on the social and sensory functioning of children with autism. Reliability and stability of parent and teacher reports of children's social and sensory functioning across three assessment times were assessed, in support of the validity of observed outcomes. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that children in the EA group (n = 25) would significantly improve, relative to a wait-list control group (n = 25), in both domains of functioning. Results indicated that reports were reliable, and children in the experimental group improved in overall social and sensory functioning, as well as within specific subdomains, with "unblinded" assessment methods. Relative to the pre-assessment scores, children improved in functioning in specific areas at post-assessment and 8-weeks post-intervention. Therefore, results of the study suggest EA activities may be a beneficial modality for delivering autism-specific treatment strategies.
KW - Autism spectrum disorders
KW - Equine-assisted activities
KW - Sensory functioning
KW - Social functioning
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U2 - 10.1163/15685306-12341479
DO - 10.1163/15685306-12341479
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85059338435
VL - 26
SP - 551
EP - 575
JO - Society and Animals
JF - Society and Animals
SN - 1063-1119
IS - 6
ER -