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Special Treatments
Complementary Therapies Make a Difference for Many Children
By Kim Byrum Skinner
Laura Smith, program manager at Columbus, Ohio-based Recreation Unlimited, knows firsthand the empowering nature of complementary activities – everything from pool buoyancy for quadriplegics (which allows physical movement not otherwise possible) to equine-assisted therapy for emotionally challenged youths.
"Sitting on a horse [for an autistic child] is more of an extension of your own body than pet therapy, which involves [interacting with] something on the outside," Smith says. "Sitting on a horse is also like an extension of your own legs. People who generally use a wheelchair can get a sense of the gait of the horse, a sense of balance, as they move back and forth."
Because they are highly intuitive animals, horses bolster trust, self-esteem and even personal hygiene among special needs kids.
"It's about responsibility, follow-through," Nicolosi says. "There are lots of adults out there who have diabetes and haven't taken care of themselves, and lost a leg as a result. If a kid's ill and learns to take care of an animal, there's also a good chance that he'll learn to respect and take care of himself more, too."
At Recreation Unlimited, campers build coordination, balance, strength and self-esteem through year-round activities as diverse as their ailments – from rope climbing and canoeing to fishing, arts and crafts and more traditional activities like archery, soccer and softball.
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