ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Psychological modality)
- Jaithra Kakarla
- May 10, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 2, 2020
What do children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (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.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) isn’t easy to deal with, for kids or their parents, but it’s a fairly common condition that many families face. Approximately 6.4 million American children, or around 11% of the population between the ages of 4 and 17, have been diagnosed with ADHD, and this number continues to rise. Without appropriate support, ADHD can begin to interfere with an individual’s social development and education.
Many parents use medication to help control ADHD symptoms in their children. However, medicine alone isn’t always a substantial enough treatment plan. Taking advantage of behavioral therapy programs can also help to reduce hyperactivity and improve attention span. One ADHD treatment option that’s becoming increasingly popular is equine programs for kids.
Living well with ADHD means more than managing symptoms and getting things done. We want to feel good about ourselves, control our emotions, and have healthy relationships, too. One problem with traditional talk therapy and ADHD coaching are that each requires a level of self-awareness that not all patients have. How do you teach someone without a filter to be less impulsive by talking about it?
However, this form of therapy is different. It’s an experiential process in which clients interact with horses — with the guidance of a specially trained mental health professional and an equine specialist — instead of talking about their problems.
Types of Programs
In equine therapy programs, children learn how to ride, groom, feed, and interact with horses. Not only is it a fun and challenging hobby that they can carry with them into adulthood, but it also helps to build essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Equestrian programs can cater to individuals, or children can join others in a group program. Group equine therapy has been shown to be more effective than traditional school counseling programs when it comes to improving the academic behaviors of at-risk students. Group programs also give children with ADHD the chance to interact with others their age in a relaxed, non-academic setting.
How does equine therapy help?
Horses give children with ADHD the opportunity to observe their own behaviors and actions from an objective angle. Horses, like many animals, mirror ourselves and our actions, which gives children the chance to see, analyze, and alter to their behaviors as they interact with their four-legged partner. Kids also get the chance to practice their social skills using a nonjudgemental sounding board. After each session, a trained therapist helps participants to understand their actions better and consolidate what they’ve learned.
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. The horse reflects back the mood of the person, 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. Working with horses is empowering for the participants and equine therapy is also non-invasive and calming.
Working with horses is also extremely motivating for children, some of whom continue to ride and work with horses even after they leave the equine 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.
The benefits
Working with horses can help children with ADHD to gain confidence and eliminate problem behaviors such as inattention or a lack of focus. Preliminary studies indicate that therapeutic horse riding has a positive effect on children with ADHD, offering benefits such as:
Improves kids’ ability to stay focused and on task
Decreases aggressive behaviors
Reduces depression and anxiety
Improves the ability to adjust and adapt to everyday situations
Increases confidence and self-esteem
Helps hone social skills
Improves motor skills
Builds a sense of personal responsibility
Children with ADHD can greatly benefit from equine programs designed to target common behavioral issues associated with the diagnosis.
RISKS
I implore any individual considering any form of EAA* or EAT** to consult with their physician or any related doctor before beginning this form of therapy. It is highly important that you are well aware of the risks of participating in this form of therapy, which sometimes may be entirely related to the health issue too. If you have any queries or suggestions please leave a comment below or reach out to me through the Contact Form on the Home page.
*Equine-Assisted Activities
**Equine-Assisted Therapy
Visit the "Current medical use of horses" post to gain more clarity about the interventions for specific modalities: https://www.equineinsight.info/post/current-medical-use-of-horses
If you have any comments or suggestions, reach out to me via the comment section or the Contact Form on the Home page.
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