Adeline has continued with her once a week Hippotherapy. She receives speech while on the horse. At first, I wasn't sure we were going to get to the "speech part" as she was so overwhelmed by the sensory experience. The helmet, the open space, the horse hair, the horse in general, the movement, and straw are just a few of the things that were taxing for Adeline's sensory self.
Fast forward six months. . . Adeline is climbing on the horse like a big girl, with her helmet on I might add. She pats the horse while talking to it. Miss Heather (SLP) has her sit in all different positions which Adeline is happy to do. Just being on the horse is tiring because is it a work out on her weak core. You wouldn't know it thought because Adeline powers through with her award winning smile and willingness. She talks and talks on the horse. Adeline focuses and performs! There is something about the motion of the horse that helps Adeline organize and not give into every distraction around her. I am very pleased with her progress.
Each session is ended with a treat for the horse. The rider is to fill a bucket with straw and feed it to the horse. You can imagine how Adeline liked this in the beginning. She wouldn't touch it or have anything to do with being "below" the horse. Now, she fills it up (watch her mind over matter touching the straw in the video. You can almost feel the negative sensations in her hands when she pats it down) and walks it over to the horse. When done, she places the bucket back where it belongs.
All of these activities appear to be fun and exciting and they are for most typical children. However, for Adeline, they are mini hurdles in her very long race of growing up. I am so proud of her for powering through and making the tremendous progress that she has. Just today, her preschool teachers couldn't tell me enough about how Adeline was talking and singing in class. Things are finally coming together for the Belle.
