A hipoterapia com as crianças portadoras das perturbações do espetro do autismo

: três estudos de caso

Abstract

In 1988, Wing identifies a triad of impairments that defines all diagnostic criteria, linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to this triad, children with ASD have a global deficit in social interaction, communication and a restricted repertoire of interests and behaviours. Hippotherapy is an alternative method for the development of skills in deficient areas, using the horse as a therapeutic tool. The present research aims to assess whether Hippotherapy, as a part of a therapy program, is related to the overall development of children with ASD. It is also intended to find out to what extent the relationship between the child and the horse contributes to this development. This investigation falls within the qualitative research and is organized as a case study. Three children participated in the study, two male and one female, aged between eight and ten years. In this research, structured interviews and observation grid were applied to gather information about the areas of motor skills, communication, social interaction and behaviour. In addition, data on the relationship between the children with the horse were also collected. The data showed that Hippotherapy is related to the development of children with ASD in a positive manner and that the relationship with the horse contributes to this effect. There has been a significant evolution in the motor skills, behaviour, self-confidence and self-esteem, in addition to autonomy. Significant improvements in communication and interaction with adults were observed, however, the same was not true for the communication and interaction with the other children, since they were always positive.

Date of Award	2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Sofia Campos (Supervisor)