Children with Asperger's are part of a sub-category of a larger disorder categorized as Pervasive Developmental Disorders. They have similar characteristics, which are milder in Asperger's, and include both verbal and non-verbal communication impairments, hyper-focus on one or two specific areas of interest, clumsiness, and repetitive speech patterns. Typical treatment programs for Asperger's focus on behavior modification and improvement.
Equine therapy seems to have the best results. The rhythmic motion of riding a horse causes the kids to focus on the movement - which is slow, deliberate, and relaxing. The child indirectly learns how to focus better, which is aided by the calming effect of riding. Some equine therapy ranches have a policy of letting the horse pick the child, rather than "assigning" the child and horse to each other. It's a unique method that has had excellent results. A staff person will lead a child to a horse, and watch for the horse's reaction. If the horse dips his head or nuzzles the child, it's an indication that a bond is being formed and the child has been "chosen".
"Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone." Martina Navratilova
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