The Way In

Finding a sport for Ethan has been a challenge. We gave soccer a shot, but quit after a season because Ethan found the social aspects of the sport too overwhelming. Ethan loves the water, so we tried swimming. As an individual sport, it wouldn’t be socially taxing on him. After a couple years of lessons, Ethan can swim, but isn’t interested in learning competitive strokes, like the crawl stroke.
Since we were back to square one, we decided to take advantage of a study conducted by Children’s Hospital of Denver. The study looked at the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for children with autism. It would see if horseback riding improved emotional regulation, movement ability, and daily living skills for these kids.
I have not done much horseback riding, so I wasn’t sure how it would improve Ethan’s physical strength and coordination. I also had no idea if he would like it. Turns out, he did. Mainly, Ethan liked Pretty, the horse he rode every week. He liked her so much, that when he won an award at school for being responsible, he showed Pretty his medal. His relationship with this patient and gentle horse motivated him to follow through with all the exercises, like posting, trotting and riding through obstacle courses.
These exercises, in turn, have improved his strength, balance and coordination. Before the study, Ethan did not have enough core strength to do a single sit-up or push-up. He also had a difficult time following simple directions, such as “touch your nose with one hand and touch your stomach with your other hand.” After 10 weeks of horseback riding, Ethan can do 10 sit-ups and push-ups, and follow most two-step directions.
I owe Pretty for the happiness I felt when I saw Ethan do a push up. She was Ethan’s guide to improved physical and emotional well being.