Pediatric Hippotherapy for Stuttering & Cluttering
in Pea Ridge, AR
Does your child have trouble getting their words out smoothly in a way that others can easily understand? It could be due to stuttering or cluttering, two specific fluency disorders that affect speech. At Unbridled Pediatric Therapies, we combine traditional speech therapy with therapeutic horse-riding (hippotherapy) to help kids learn to communicate clearly and easily with others.
What Is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech disorder where a person has trouble speaking smoothly. It may involve:
- Repetition of sounds, syllables, or words (saying “b-b-b-ball” instead of “ball”)
- Holding onto sounds (saying “sssssssee” instead of “see”)
- Getting “stuck” on a word, unable to start or continue speaking, which can cause noticeable pauses in speech
What Is Cluttering?
Cluttering is a speech disorder that involves speaking too quickly or in a disorganized manner, which makes speech difficult to understand. This can include:
- Speaking too fast for others to follow, sometimes jumbling words together
- Leaving out parts of words or entire words in a sentence
- Speaking in a disconnected or unclear way (example, jumping from one thought to another without much structure)
How Pediatric Speech Therapy Combined with Hippotherapy Can Treat Stuttering & Cluttering
Pediatric speech therapy is the best treatment for children who experience fluency disorders like stuttering and cluttering. But when you combine it with hippotherapy, children can achieve greater outcomes than what can be done with clinic-based treatment alone.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider equine-assisted speech therapy for your child:
1. It improves breath control
The rhythmic movement of the horse during hippotherapy can help regulate breathing patterns, which are crucial for smooth speech production. The horse’s gait mimics the natural movement of the human body and can help children practice coordinated breathing, making it easier for them to speak without interruptions.
2. It builds cognitive and communication skills
Hippotherapy encourages children to communicate in a dynamic environment with the therapist, the horse, and even other children. This social interaction, combined with physical activity, can improve cognitive processing skills, attention, and communication strategies. Over time, this can help children with stuttering or cluttering develop better speech fluency, organization, and clarity.
3. It supports auditory processing skills
While riding, children are also exposed to the sounds around them—such as the horse’s movement, the therapist’s voice, and ambient noises. These auditory cues help children improve their listening skills, which are essential for understanding and processing language. This can contribute to better comprehension, focus, and communication.
4. It’s fun!
Riding a horse is an exciting and unique experience that keeps children engaged. It makes therapy feel less like work and more like play. When children enjoy the therapy, they are more likely to participate actively and consistently, which leads to better outcomes.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation Today
Want to find out how pediatric hippotherapy can support your child’s speech skills? Take advantage of our free 15-minute phone consultation! During this consultation, you’ll speak with a member of the Unbridled Pediatric Therapy team who can answer your questions and explain how your child can benefit from equine-assisted speech therapy.
Give us a call at (479) 250-9838 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today!
