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Autism Spectrum Disorder
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism is a complex developmental disability. There is a delay or abnormal functioning in:
- Social interaction
- Language used in social communication
- Symbolic or imaginative play
People with Autism may demonstrate unusual responses to people or objects and show resistance to changes in their routine.
Individuals may experience sensitivities to sights, sounds, touch, smells and tastes and may:
- Block ears
- Smell everything
- Self-injure through biting or hurting themselves
- Demonstrate repetitive body movements such as rocking or hand flapping
AUTISM book.pdfHow RDA benefits riders with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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SYMPTOM
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RDA BENEFIT
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Abnormal Sensory Reponses
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Riding stimulates the tactile senses both through touch and environmental stimuli. The many sounds of an outdoor farm situation help to involve the auditory system.
The rider learns to differentiate significant from less significant stimuli in the environment. An improvement in this area occurs as the rider learns to attend to their horse and those things that may influence the horse rather than attending to the environment in general.
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Concentration
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Programs include educational concepts, learning numbers, colours, shapes, patterns and sequencing. Memory and concentration can be improved through playing games.
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Social isolation
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Group lessons provide riders with the opportunity to join in with their peers and understand concepts of teamwork and participation in social rituals such as appropriate greetings and thanking helpers.
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Psychological benefits
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Adaptive equipment assists riders to participate in a sport to the best of their ability. This includes competition opportunities. Learning to control the horse and other skills provides riders with a sense of achievement.
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Resistance to change.
Obsessed with maintaining routine in their world.
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New horses, volunteers and activities are introduced one at a time where possible. New experiences teach riders to cope with changing environments.
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Abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events.
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Through regular routines and game playing, riders learn about appropriate behaviours, saying "please" and "thank you", teamwork, and care for animals.
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Speech and language difficulties.
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The excitement of riding encourages riders to speak and communicate about their activities.
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Caitlin's Story
Caitlin was diagnosed with autism just after her third birthday; life-changing news leading to a time of confusion. Caitlin started riding at RDA Jennibrook Farm soon afterwards and Andrea, Caitlin’s mum said RDA Jennibrook Farm was the first place they had taken Caitlin which focussed on what she was capable of doing, rather than things she could not do.
Caitlin was introduced to a pony named Casper and over the next four years a special bond developed between the two.
“Every day is a constant struggle to avoid triggers that might upset Caitlin,” said Andrea. “Seeing Casper each week is one of the only things she seems to really enjoy doing. She always walks away from Jennibrook with a smile from ear to ear.”
In 2009, Caitlin competed in the RDA SA Mounted Games.
“At the end of the day she walked away with ... a total of six ribbons.
“We drove home that day in awe of the experience RDA had given Caitlin and her family. And we were all so proud.”
She said the day provided a fantastic experience for Caitlin. It was the first time she’d been in any kind of competition and to see her walk away with six ribbons was the proudest moment for her and all her family.