Type of service: Outreach - education, Holidays, Interventions and therapies

Rainbow Horses offer Equine assisted therapy. Their approach is based on Intensive Interaction as developed by Dave Hewitt and Musical Interaction, an approach developed by Sutherland House School. They also use Sensory Integration techniques and resources and some aspects of the Horse Boy method as well as a variety of communication and interaction activities based on over 12 years experience at a specialist school for children with autism.

Horse interaction sessions involving handling and riding are offered for children on the Autism Spectrum. The Centre works with children who struggle with mainstream schooling. Some children come up to three days a week, others come for one day or half a day each week. Some children are out of school, others are supported to stay in school or to re-integrate back into the education system. The children work with horses outside in a rural setting to facilitate learning and communication, develop social understanding and to improve emotional wellbeing. Sessions can be one to one or in small groups. The centre also has a self-catering farmhouse available for families of children with autism in a beautiful rural setting. There are animals for the children to feed and plenty of space to run with local walks and family friendly pubs.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Young person

Covers: East Midlands

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements, Staff and volunteers get autism awareness training

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability