Parent Perceptions of Psychosocial Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This research explored parents' perceptions of the psychosocial outcomes of their children's experience of receiving equineassisted interventions (EAI). Participants were the parents of six children (aged 3-14) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 459 - 470
Autores principales: Vanessa Xue-Ling Tan, Simmonds, Janette Graetz
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Springer Nature Mar2018
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This research explored parents' perceptions of the psychosocial outcomes of their children's experience of receiving equineassisted interventions (EAI). Participants were the parents of six children (aged 3-14) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted and the transcript data was analysed using Interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four super-ordinate themes emerged from the analysis: (1) child's improved self-concept and enhanced emotional well-being, (2) child's improved self-regulatory ability, (3) social benefits for the child, and (4) unexpected outcomes. EAI was perceived by the parents as having several levels of psychosocial benefits for their children. These benefits may also extend to parents and family through ecopsychological and "flow on" effects associated with the children's involvement in EAI programs.