Results of Autistic Students’ Practicing in Hippotherapy

Abstract

The research aimed to examine the results of autistic students’ practicing in hippotherapy. Target group included three students who were studying in the Research and Development Center for Autistic Inclusive Education, Demonstration School of Khon Kaen University, Thailand, in academic year of 2011. Research method was pretest-posttest design and case study. Research instrument included checklist of students’ readiness before participating in hippotherapy, scale of students’ ability in hippotherapy practicing, and the 12 individual lesson plans. The findings revealed that all students held medium ability in hippotherapy practicing. Based on students’ medium ability, they sometimes need help from teachers to utilize the natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor, and sensory input.