Pediatric Hippotherapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
in Pea Ridge, AR
If your child has trouble communicating their ideas or needs even when it’s clear that they know what they want to say, they may be experiencing childhood apraxia of speech. At Unbridled Pediatric Therapies, we combine traditional speech therapy with therapeutic horse-riding (hippotherapy) to help kids build their speech and language skills for a lifetime of effective communication.
What Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a condition that affects a child’s ability to plan and coordinate the muscle movements needed for clear speech. This includes the muscles of the lips, tongue, and throat. Children with this condition are able to understand language and know how to use it, but they struggle with the physical action of speaking.
Common Symptoms of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
The most common symptoms of CAS include:
- Trouble pronouncing longer words with more syllables
- Inconsistent speech sound errors
- Difficulty with consonant blend sounds like “st” or “fl”
- Speech that is hard to understand and sounds slurred or choppy
- Groping or searching with the lips, tongue, or jaw when trying to say a word correctly
How Pediatric Speech Therapy Combined with Hippotherapy Can Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Pediatric speech therapy on its own is an effective treatment for CAS. But when you combine it with hippotherapy, the benefits exceed what a speech therapist can achieve with clinic-based treatment alone.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider equine-assisted speech therapy for your child:
1. It builds motor coordination and planning skills
Hippotherapy involves the rhythmic movement of the horse, which mimics the natural gait of human walking. The body’s movements while riding the horse promote the development of neural pathways related to movement and balance, which can translate into improved motor control needed for speech production.
2. It builds sensory processing skills
Proper breathing is essential for speech production, and hippotherapy can help children develop better diaphragmatic breathing. The horse’s movement encourages deep, controlled breathing as the child adjusts to the rhythm and motion. This can help children with CAS develop better breath support for speech and improve the endurance required for verbal communication.
3. It supports breath control
Proper breathing is essential for speech production, and hippotherapy can help children develop better diaphragmatic breathing. The horse’s movement encourages deep, controlled breathing as the child adjusts to the rhythm and motion. This can help children with CAS develop better breath support for speech and improve the endurance required for verbal communication.
4. It’s fun!
The new and exciting environment of hippotherapy helps children feel more motivated during their speech therapy sessions. This can lead to better participation, increased confidence, and faster progress.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation Today
Want to find out how pediatric hippotherapy can support your child’s speech? 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!
