Effect of Hippotherapy on Sensory Integration Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. Equine-assisted OT, or hippotherapy, is considered a viable approach to treating children with autism spectrum disorder. The findings of a pilot study examining the effect of an 8-session intervention on sensory integration among five children resulted in overall improved sensory integration. Analysis of parent perspectives revealed improved adaptive responses among the children when applying higher level skills in occupational contexts outside of therapy. Primary Author and Speaker: Glen S. Cotton