Effectiveness of a 6-Week Occupational Therapy Program with Hippotherapy on Postural Control and Social Behavior for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

<p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" dir="auto" id="d3579751e58"> <b>Abstract</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d3579751e63">This research was recently published in the International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. The objective of the research was to determine the effects of a 6-week occupational therapy program with hippotherapy on posture, social behavior, and self-regulation of children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Fifteen children diagnosed with ASD and 15 age-matched children with typical development participated in this study between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. All children took part in a 6 week, 1 time per week, occupational therapy program with HPOT. Results of this research reveal that children with ASD showed significant improvements in social and communication behavior and reduced problem behaviors (ABC, SRS and play protocol). Moreover, both groups of children changed their postural control patterns, which became more evident under reduced sensory conditions i.e. eyes closed. Large effect sizes were observed for all outcome variables. <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d3579751e65"> <b>Bios</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d3579751e70"> <b>Dr. Kaiti Otte, </b>OTD, OTR/L, PATH Intl. CTRI <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d3579751e75"/>