Gaits to Success in Mississippi provides therapeutic horseback riding to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The 12 year-old riding program provides the chance for children and adults to increase their fine and gross motor skills on horseback. The riders learn balance and muscle strength. At the same time, self-esteem is improved along with social interaction skills. One mom says of her son, "It's helping him to focus more, to listen better and follow directions." Her son has made such improvements that he will be participating in a Special Olympics horsemanship event. Gaits for Success is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).
Autism Therapy: Special Olympics
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Youth Athletes Program Offered by Special Olympics
Dec 11, 2007Kids with autism in Maryland have the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics Youth Athletes Program initiative. For about 2 years, the Youth Athletes program, offered by Special Olympics, has brought parents and children together to work on occupational, social, and speech skills in an environment of sports. At the Frederick (MA) Gymnastics Club, children interact with peers, and even participate in mainstream gymnastic activities.
Special Olympics Proves Effective Social Trainer
Jun 18, 2007Special Olympics enables children with autism to engage in social interaction while building confidence. Evan Rutter, a Special Olympian with autism, has been able to increase his social skills as a part of a group of people with similar interests. Special Olympians participate in physical activities, interact with other individuals, and gain confidence in a sport.
Creighton Lee's affinity for outdoor activities prompted his mother to give him swimming lessons. The 8-year old boy with autism who 3 years ago couldn't put his face in the water, recently won medals in freestyle and backstroke at Special Olympics. The sensation of movement underwater proved to be the experience that opened up the world for Creighton.
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Responding to relationship development intervention (RDI)
Jan 6, 2012 by AnonymousI am a parent of an 18 yr. old young man with ASD who we have been doing RDI with for the past 3 years. Once we began the program his life and ours changed. He now initiates conversation with us - true conversation, with give and take, perspective sharing, observations are related and my interests considered. He is much more other-focused and considerate. Outbursts and anti-social behaviors have been significantly decreased. Our household is so much more calm and life normalized. His ability to make study us during communication (total body language - faces, posture, tone - not just the words said) and approrpriately respond and interpret this non-verbal aspect of language is really imporved and remarked upon by family/friends and teachers. He is able to do this on his own, no prompting, no scripting - it is becoming "normal" and happening as expected. We are completely satisfied with this program and while costly, it has delivered the results where others haven't. It really changed his life. I work in Special Olympics and have a control group to compare him and this intervention against as a result. His progress compared against his peers (same age/ school experiences/ but different interventions) is significantly better. We very much look forward to how far he can go.