.After 6 months of horse therapy...

When my son started his treatment (hippotherapy/ horseback riding therapy) he couldn't talk a single word, nor understand anything...because of those things, he was always nervous, angry, and he could not sleep either -- shortly speaking, he had autism-like behaviors. 

One month after Nick's hippotherapy started, he was already speaking a few words like "daddy", and " horse". After two months, he started to attend when called by his name!  I was really amazed!

Now, after six months of doing hippotherapy and horseback riding therapy, Nick improved his social skills, his speach skills and vocabulary is improving week by week and his motor coordination is also much better!

Soon, I will post a video from his first day and a lattest one, so you can see his development!

Nick's treatment is provided from Walking Equoterapia, in Brazil -- the payment is done every month and this is possible thanks to our dear friends's help from U.S.A. 

If you want to see the institution where Nick's treatment is done, visit their website (it is all in portuguese) http://www.equoterapiawalking.com.br/index.html

6th day of hippotherapy

May the 14th was Nick's sixth day of hippotherapy. His interaction with the horses is growing and he is becoming more confident. 

5th day of Hippotherapy

May the 10th, was Nick's fifth day of hippotherapy. This was also his first day with his psychologist monitoring the hippotherapy session, and making a bound with Nick as well. The sessions with the psychologist will be always on fridays and with the speach therapist will be on tuesdays...
Well, on this 5th day of hippotherapy I couldn't take any pictures because Nick was upset... so I had to be beside him all the time. 
But when we got home, he came to me with a his little spoon and said "yogurt". Then, he ate his yogurt by himself!!! I was stunned! After 5 sessions of hippotherapy, he is now capable of eating by himself.... Before the hippotherapy treatment started, Nick couldn't eat alone, nor speak, nor even understand his name.
Each day now, I see a bright future for my son.

Nick's 4th day of Hippotherapy

May the 7th was Nick's fourth hippotherapy's session. Nick's speach therapist put his favorites songs and she kept singing along with the songs, to stimulate Nick to sing as well. Nick didn't sing ( he doesn't sing yet), but I am positive that this is just a matter of time!

She also brought a seal toy, with some rings for Nick to put into the seal's neck...

Receipts from April and May

3rd Day of Nick's Hippotherapy

Tuesday (May the 1rst) was the third day of Nick's hippotherapy and it was AWSOME. 
First he made a painting (upon the horse) for mothers day. I was very happy!

Then his speech therapist brought a chick and said: "Look, Nick A Tweety Bird!" And Nick actually said "Tweeetyyy" "Hi!"


It's really amazing how hippotherapy is helping my child to develop and to overcome the difficulties of autism.

2nd Day of Hippotherapy

April the 25th was Nick's second day of hippotherapy. And was the very first time that Nick rode a big horse on his own -- I mean, with no other riding with him.
After Nick's physiotherapist analyzed Nick's x-ray plates, he said that Nick should ride alone. First, I was a litle bit afraid that he might fall, but after he went up on the horse, and gave me a big smile, my heart settled down. 

Therapeutic Riding: Nick's 3rd Day

Yesterday was Nick's 3rd day of therapeutic riding. He didn't enjoy very much, because he rode another pony (he rode Bob, and Nick usually rides a pony named Bean). 

 Nick riding Bob

Usually Nick does not want to dismount (he rides for about one hour per session). But on this day, he did not want to ride at all. So, he rode for about 30 minutes -- because he started to get upset. And Bob was not so happy either...I Felt that..and of course, I bet Nick did too.

Bob

Bean has worked too hard on the day before, and yesterday was his day off.  But the funny thing is that when Bean saw Nick, he started to follow him...and when Nick saw Bean, he gave him a big smile and said "Hi, horsieee" . This was awsome! 

Bean

I hope Nick and Bean can be toguether next week!

Nick's 2nd day on Horse Riding Therapy

Yesterday was his second day on horse riding therapy... A good friend of ours is paying for it (for now..) And we are very thankful! 

Nick was much more confortable and confident! 

Nick's Treatment -- We are making this happen!

Thanks to the generosity of our dear friends, Nick began his horse therapy!
Now, we are counting with your help to keep going!

Today was Nick's first day of horse therapy !