"Hippos
is the Greek root word for horse. Hippotherapy (HPOT) is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing.
Hippotherapy can benefit persons with just about any disabilities including but not limited to: Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Communication Disorders, CVA Stroke, Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impairments, Language Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy,
Spinal Cord Injuries, and Traumatic Brain Injuries.
During (HPOT) sessions,
clients receive a wide range of therapeutic benefits. The movement of the rider, given through the horse, offers stimulation to the whole body,
including the nervous system and the brain as well as general types of stimulation such as proprioceptive (sense of joint movement), vestibular
(sense of balance), tactile (sense of touch), olfactory (sense of smell),
and visual and healing input.
The dynamic movement of the horse (forward and backward, up and down,
and side to side) organizes the client's nervous system; therefore, increasing awareness of how their body relates to their environment. From the organization provided by the nervous system, the client is better able to use language and plan and execute motor movement in an automatic manner. When language and motor skills become automatic, the nervous system becomes more efficient in processing and organizing sensory input."
Speechville Express
is a resource for families, educators, and medical professionals, offering
information about language development in children, helping those who
care for toddlers and young children who are late talkers, and connecting
you with others who have been down this road. Language disorders and
communication impairments included are apraxia, stuttering, pervasive
developmental disorder, dysarthria, and aphasia, among others.
aphasia
