Equine-assisted Therapy for Therapy-resistant Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, a Replicated AB-design

Equine-assisted Therapy for Therapy-resistant Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, a Replicated AB-design

The purpose of this study is to assess the (cost)effectivity of Equine assisted Therapy in adolescents with Autism Spectrum disorders.

The study has a mixed-methods strategy consisting of three elements: a randomized, multiple-baseline single-case design (n=35), a qualitative study (n=8-10) and a cost-effectiveness study (n=6). After obtaining written informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to one of the five pre-defined baseline lengths (2-6 weeks) to increase the internal validity of the design.

Inclusion Criteria:

• between 11-18 years old;
• a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders according the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5) as diagnosed by a Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg (BIG) registered healthcare professional;
• insufficient emotion regulation after regular therapy for at least 1,5 years as indicated by a score above clinical cut-off (T-score = 65) on the EDI;
• comorbidities are allowed except for those interfering with safety.

Exclusion Criteria:

• unable to respond to questions (parents or adolescents);
• no access to an Internet connection;
• insufficient mastery of Dutch language in parents or adolescents;
• physically incapable to work with the horses;
• unstable medication use;
• total intelligence quotient (IQ) equal to or below 80 on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III-R or WISC-V);
• allergic or phobic to horses;
• insufficient regulation to safely handle the horses;
• therapy with horses within the last two years.