The Impact of a Horse Riding Intervention on the Social Functioning of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Androulla Harris, Joanne M Williams, Androulla Harris, Joanne M Williams

Abstract

This paper reports a case-control study of a horse riding intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A sample of 26 children, aged 6 to 9 years, were assigned to either the intervention (n = 12) or control group conditions (n = 14). Pre- and post-tests were carried out using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS2) and the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist-Community Edition (ABC-C). An observational measure of compliance and behaviour during the horse riding sessions was completed for the intervention group. There was a significant reduction in the severity of ASD symptoms and hyperactivity from pre- to post-test for the intervention group only. These results indicate that the intervention improves some aspects of social functioning for children with ASD.

Keywords: ASD; animal-assisted intervention; autism spectrum disorder; children; human-animal interaction; social functioning; therapeutic horse riding.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS2) scores at pre- and post-test for the intervention group (n = 10) and control group (n = 14).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean Hyperactivity scores on the ABC-C at pre- and post-test for the intervention group (n = 10) and control group (n = 14).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean Measurement of Pet Intervention Checklist (MOPI) item scores across the intervention period for the intervention group (n = 10).

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