Horse Riding in Bandon
This gallery contains 6 photos.
Our trip to West Cork Equine Centre in Bandon was held Friday 29th July. It was apparent as parents and children arrived that there was some trepidation about how this event would go…. nervous mums and dads watched as the children were donned with riding hats and pony’s and led in to the indoor sand arena. Shocked faces exchanged glances as every child mounted their steed ready for their ride. The hour session consisted of the children learning to walk their pony’s around and then over and around poles , they were shown how to start and stop their animal hold their reigns and steer their pony .
Before long most of the children were trotting, many even mastering the ‘rising ‘trot as they learnt to stand in the stirrups, they all seemed delighted by their progress, and regular calls of ‘giddy up horsey ‘ were heard shouted across the arena by enthusiastic riders . A ride outside was taken, before being shown how to dismount and lead their pony’s back to the stable.
Being honest I was shocked how each child took this activity completely in their stride, enjoying the company of their new equine friends. Happy faces were seen throughout and every child appeared delighted to have learnt some new skills and tried something new.
A huge thank you must go to Grace, at West Cork Equine centre who really gave the children a real taste of horse riding and who inspired confidence in our children today. Thank you too to all the ‘leaders ‘who were all so helpful. Last, but not least of course I must thank the parents who brought their children to this event, it really was a huge feat persuading some of these children to even turn up , so a special thank you to you all parents and children who made this event such a big success.
Travelling With ASD
This article is rather dry but it contains some great advise if you’ve a child with ASD and you’re going to be travelling this summer (“What summer?” I hear you ask). There’s some excellent tips here is you’re taking your child on a flight to help prepare them and reduce their anxiety. Preparing Children on the Autism Spectrum for Travel.
Biological Marker For Autism
Copyright © Dr L Dinstein
An interesting report has been published in the Neuron journal that may indicate a means to accurately diagnose autism in very young toddlers.
The technique involves measuring the synchronization in electrical activity between the left and right hemispheres of the brain while the child is asleep. In children with delayed language development or a-typical development they found poor synchronization in the electrical activity between the left and right hemispheres. This was not evident in children with normal development nor in children with a language delay not associated with autism.
Imagine an orchestra were ready to play a piece of classical music and one half started a fraction of a second after the other half. What you’d end up with was a noise from which you could occasionally catch part of the melody. This could be similar to what’s happening in an autistic child’s (or adult’s) brain.
The Weizmann Institute reports that the researchers were able to diagnose 70% of autistic children aged 1 – 3 years old. This could form the basis of an empirical diagnosis of autism from a much earlier age than is currently possible.
New Autism Project In West Cork
There’s a new autism related group being formed in West Cork who are planning a major project in the area. Please try to get to one of these meetings if you can:
We are a newly formed group Cork South West Association for Autism based in West Cork & catering for Adults & the future needs of Children within the Autistic Spectrum. We are holding a very important meeting on Tuesday 30th August @ 8pm in the meeting room in Rosie’s pub Ballydehob.
Anyone with an interest in or family member with Autism would be advised to attend this meeting as we are planning a major project that will benefit the future of our children & adults.
Further information contact Noel Camier 087/2258836, Noeleen Murphy 086/3254214 or Leslie Swanton 086/1632181.
Cork South West Association for Autism are holding a very important meeting in West Cork Hotel on Thursday 1st September @ 11:30am with Joe McDonald CEO of Cork Autism Association, Philip Jordan, Chairperson, Cork Autism Association & Maurice Walsh, CEO Co-action West Cork.
Anyone with an interest in or family member with Autism would be advised to attend this meeting as we are planning a major project that will benefit the future of our children & adults.
Further information contact Noel Camier 087/2258836, Noeleen Murphy 086/3254214 or Leslie Swanton 086/1632181.
Food For Thought
This article rang some bells for me. I know when the going get’s tough my tendency is to close down and try to push through, which can’t be healthy.
Maybe that’s a guy thing?
Language software to help children with autism
Anyone who knows me knows that I just lurve software so this looks promising on many levels.
Language software promises to help children with autism | SmartPlanet.
Autism study downplays genetics
Just when I thought I understood along comes a study that throws some doubt on genetics being the primary factor in determining autism.
Let us know what you think.
Autism study downplays genetics as primary cause – American Medical News.
Stressed Out?
Does parenting make you stressed out? I guess this applies to all parenting and not just children with Autism:
Calm Parenting: Stop Letting Your Childs Behavior Make You Crazy.
If you have any favourite tips for comping with stressful parenting please share them by leaving a comment.