Post by Valhallanite on Sept 16, 2013 12:17:46 GMT
Good Morning,
I came across an article this morning, that I thought I would share. I'm sure everyone knows this, but here it is anyway. You don't have to click on the link, here's the text of it.
By Madeline Vann, MPH
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
equine-therapy-adhd
What do children with ADHD and ancient Roman soldiers have in common? Experts say they both benefit from time spent working with horses as part of structured equine therapy programs. For the soldiers, riding horses meant healing after the violence of war, and for children with ADHD, working with horses as part of ADHD treatment could mean better management of their ADHD symptoms.
Therapy programs that involve horses feature a variety of approaches. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) certifies close to 750 equine therapy programs nationwide. Children with ADHD are among those who can benefit from these programs, experts say. To find the right program for your child, you will have to consider the structure and mission of the programs available. For example, some programs teach riding skills while others focus only on safety and horse handling methods .
The Benefits of Equine Therapy for ADHD
“He’s just like me!” exclaimed a child with ADHD as he watches a therapy horse prancing restlessly around a corral. The attachment that can form between children with ADHD and horses used in equine therapy is one of the benefits of this ADHD treatment approach, and working the horses has a calming effect, helping children to manage ADHD symptoms.
Researcher Pamela Schultz, RN, professor and interim director at the school of nursing at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, said she was skeptical at first. “I come from an oncology background and I was used to everything being down to the numbers,” she recalled. When a graduate student in one of her classes became involved in equine therapy, Schultz observed the process and the way that it helped children with all kinds of challenges. She quickly became a believer and has since designed studies to assess the benefits of equine therapy for children with various needs and from various backgrounds.
“The horse reflects back the mood of the person,” said Schultz. While this sounds like it would increase the energy of a child with ADHD, it actually gives children and the therapist who is present during equine therapy sessions a chance to make new connections between behaviors, thoughts, and choices.
Equine assisted therapy (EAP) also involves working directly with the horses. In these programs, children learn how to be safe around the horse, how to groom the horse, and how to work with it in motion, leading it around and giving instructions for basic games, all guided by a horse trainer and a therapist.
“It’s really incredible to see this huge horse and this little-bitty kid,” said Schultz, adding that she knows of at least one EAP provider who uses miniature horses to work with very small children. “It’s empowering for the kids,” continued Schultz, explaining that equine therapy is also “non-invasive and calming.”
Equine Therapy: Riding Programs
In these programs, children learn how to ride in addition to horsemanship and grooming. Riding is helpful because the horse’s motion, which closely mimics the rhythm of a human gait, actually helps children think and learn new skills in a novel way, explained NARHA Master Instructor Kitty Stalsburg, executive director of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., in Old Lyme, Conn.
“This movement is allowing their brain to think about other things, like eye contact, speech and language, focus, and attention.”
Working with horses is also extremely motivating for children, some of whom continue to ride and work with horses even after they leave the EAP programs. “For a lot of the kids who have attention deficit issues, the horse can provide a level of challenge. It’s fun — it doesn’t seem like they are working on skills,” said Stalsburg. Of course, the professionals who work with the EAP program know how to use the activity to teach attention, relationship, and communication skills. For example, at High Hopes, the program involves riding on a sensory trail that gives children multifaceted stimuli, such as music and shooting hoops on horseback.
Matching Child and Horse
Most children enjoy the opportunity to spend time with horses. However, Stalsburg said, about one in 10 kids simply isn’t interested in working with horses, and still others may have a fear of such large animals.
Likewise, therapy horses have to have a particular temperament in order to do the work. Stalsburg says the best therapy horses are reliable and trusting, and generally have a fair amount of training and experience.
While horse therapy might not be widely known to parents, the cost is often covered (albeit in small amounts) by health insurance carriers. Schultz advises contacting your behavioral health insurer for more details on eligible programs.
Parents can find programs through NARHA, which has a list of certified programs and their specializations in every state. There are other therapy programs as well. Your best bet is to shop around, said Stalsburg. Watch a class, take a tour, and look for:
A safe but fun environment
Healthy, happy staff and horses
Demonstrated respect for horses, children, and staff
The professionals you need on board (such as speech therapists or counselors) or willingness to consult with or even train your child’s therapist
A program that can incorporate the ADHD treatment goals for your child
Certification of the professionals involved
Experienced, mature horses
Even if working in an equine therapy program doesn’t relieve all your child’s ADHD symptoms, there are many other benefits to be gained from the program, including such intangibles as self- confidence and, quite simply, happy memories.
www.everydayhealth.com/add-adhd/equine-therapy-for-adhd-treatment.aspx?xid=aol_eh-adhd_5_20130909_&aolcat=AJA&ncid=webmail7
I came across an article this morning, that I thought I would share. I'm sure everyone knows this, but here it is anyway. You don't have to click on the link, here's the text of it.
By Madeline Vann, MPH
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
equine-therapy-adhd
What do children with ADHD and ancient Roman soldiers have in common? Experts say they both benefit from time spent working with horses as part of structured equine therapy programs. For the soldiers, riding horses meant healing after the violence of war, and for children with ADHD, working with horses as part of ADHD treatment could mean better management of their ADHD symptoms.
Therapy programs that involve horses feature a variety of approaches. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) certifies close to 750 equine therapy programs nationwide. Children with ADHD are among those who can benefit from these programs, experts say. To find the right program for your child, you will have to consider the structure and mission of the programs available. For example, some programs teach riding skills while others focus only on safety and horse handling methods .
The Benefits of Equine Therapy for ADHD
“He’s just like me!” exclaimed a child with ADHD as he watches a therapy horse prancing restlessly around a corral. The attachment that can form between children with ADHD and horses used in equine therapy is one of the benefits of this ADHD treatment approach, and working the horses has a calming effect, helping children to manage ADHD symptoms.
Researcher Pamela Schultz, RN, professor and interim director at the school of nursing at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, said she was skeptical at first. “I come from an oncology background and I was used to everything being down to the numbers,” she recalled. When a graduate student in one of her classes became involved in equine therapy, Schultz observed the process and the way that it helped children with all kinds of challenges. She quickly became a believer and has since designed studies to assess the benefits of equine therapy for children with various needs and from various backgrounds.
“The horse reflects back the mood of the person,” said Schultz. While this sounds like it would increase the energy of a child with ADHD, it actually gives children and the therapist who is present during equine therapy sessions a chance to make new connections between behaviors, thoughts, and choices.
Equine assisted therapy (EAP) also involves working directly with the horses. In these programs, children learn how to be safe around the horse, how to groom the horse, and how to work with it in motion, leading it around and giving instructions for basic games, all guided by a horse trainer and a therapist.
“It’s really incredible to see this huge horse and this little-bitty kid,” said Schultz, adding that she knows of at least one EAP provider who uses miniature horses to work with very small children. “It’s empowering for the kids,” continued Schultz, explaining that equine therapy is also “non-invasive and calming.”
Equine Therapy: Riding Programs
In these programs, children learn how to ride in addition to horsemanship and grooming. Riding is helpful because the horse’s motion, which closely mimics the rhythm of a human gait, actually helps children think and learn new skills in a novel way, explained NARHA Master Instructor Kitty Stalsburg, executive director of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., in Old Lyme, Conn.
“This movement is allowing their brain to think about other things, like eye contact, speech and language, focus, and attention.”
Working with horses is also extremely motivating for children, some of whom continue to ride and work with horses even after they leave the EAP programs. “For a lot of the kids who have attention deficit issues, the horse can provide a level of challenge. It’s fun — it doesn’t seem like they are working on skills,” said Stalsburg. Of course, the professionals who work with the EAP program know how to use the activity to teach attention, relationship, and communication skills. For example, at High Hopes, the program involves riding on a sensory trail that gives children multifaceted stimuli, such as music and shooting hoops on horseback.
Matching Child and Horse
Most children enjoy the opportunity to spend time with horses. However, Stalsburg said, about one in 10 kids simply isn’t interested in working with horses, and still others may have a fear of such large animals.
Likewise, therapy horses have to have a particular temperament in order to do the work. Stalsburg says the best therapy horses are reliable and trusting, and generally have a fair amount of training and experience.
While horse therapy might not be widely known to parents, the cost is often covered (albeit in small amounts) by health insurance carriers. Schultz advises contacting your behavioral health insurer for more details on eligible programs.
Parents can find programs through NARHA, which has a list of certified programs and their specializations in every state. There are other therapy programs as well. Your best bet is to shop around, said Stalsburg. Watch a class, take a tour, and look for:
A safe but fun environment
Healthy, happy staff and horses
Demonstrated respect for horses, children, and staff
The professionals you need on board (such as speech therapists or counselors) or willingness to consult with or even train your child’s therapist
A program that can incorporate the ADHD treatment goals for your child
Certification of the professionals involved
Experienced, mature horses
Even if working in an equine therapy program doesn’t relieve all your child’s ADHD symptoms, there are many other benefits to be gained from the program, including such intangibles as self- confidence and, quite simply, happy memories.
www.everydayhealth.com/add-adhd/equine-therapy-for-adhd-treatment.aspx?xid=aol_eh-adhd_5_20130909_&aolcat=AJA&ncid=webmail7
