a Section of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, Rome, Italy
b Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
b Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Abstract
In this study the effectiveness of an equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in improving adaptive and executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined (children attending EAT, n = 15, control group n = 13; inclusion criteria: IQ > 70). Therapeutic sessions consisted in structured activities involving horses and included both work on the ground andriding. Results indicate an improvement in social functioning in the group attending EAT (compared to the control group) and a milder effect on motor abilities. Improved executive functioning was also observed (i.e. reduced planning time in a problem-solving task) at the end of the EAT program. Our findings provide further support for the use of animal-assisted intervention programs as complementary intervention strategies for children with ASD. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Author keywords
Animal-assisted interventions; Autism spectrum disorder; Horses; Rehabilitation
ISSN: 01623257 CODEN: JADDDSource Type: Journal Original language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6Document Type: Article
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
