At a therapeutic riding conference I attended a few years ago, I heard a chiropractor talk about human development, spinal stability, and therapeutic riding. She was a volunteer at a therapeutic riding barn, and was amazed to see the horse naturally develop in the rider what she worked on in the office. Her explanations were … Continue reading
Filed under Disabilities …
Free Online “Perspectives on Disability” Class
This was recently brought to my attention: Registration is now open for Perspectives on Disability, Northern Illinois University’s first-ever Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The free online course was developed to raise awareness about disability, a fact of life for millions of people around the world, from personal, philosophical, sociological, psychological, medical, and legal perspectives. … Continue reading
ASD Behavioral Communication Article
All therapeutic riding teachers come in to teaching either stronger on the riding side or stronger on the disabilities side. If you are new to working with childen with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is important to understand that their behavior is always trying to communicate something. The better you know the child, the easier it … Continue reading
Speech Disabilities in Therapeutic Riding
Sometimes you will get students with speech disabilities. While the TR Instructor is not a speech therapist – your purpose is to teach riding skills – there are certain adaptations you need to make and things you can do to help communication. I wanted to share some resources I have found so far about working … Continue reading
Weak Sides and Adaptations
I was helping with a therapeutic driving workshop today and something they said a few things that apply to teaching therapeutic riding that are logical yet easy to forget. Weak Sides When you have a student with a weaker side: 1. Have the sidewalker (or able-bodied whip, in driving) on their weak side so they … Continue reading
Rett Syndrome
I have a very young student with Rett Syndrome. Since I didn’t know anything about it, and she can’t communicate much, I did some research… What is Rett Syndrome? “Rett syndrome is a rare inherited disease that causes developmental and nervous system problems, mostly in girls. It’s related to autism. Babies with Rett syndrome seem to … Continue reading