Volitional Change in Children With Autism: A Single-Case Design Study of the Impact of Hippotherapy on Motivation

Autism is a prevalent developmental disorder that affects numerous aspects of a child's daily functioning, including but not limited to communication, social interaction, cognitive functioning, motor functioning, and sensation. The many impairments that characterize autism also have the potential to affect a child's volition, defined by the Model of Human Occupation as a child's interests, self-efficacy, and motivation to engage in new activities. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a 16-week hippotherapy program on the volition of three children with autism. Using the Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire, two occupational therapists rated the three participants' volition at three timepoints-before, during, and after the hippotherapy program. Visual analysis of the data using methods derived from single-subject design research revealed an increase in participants' volition over time. The study provides preliminary evidence that improved volition may be an important and under-recognized benefit of hippotherapy for children with autism.