Children and teens

1-Equine-assisted social-emotional skills strengthening ^©

EASESS^© for children is a horse-assisted intervention developed by Marianne Disipio, which combines learning to self-regulate through semi-structured and experiential interactions with horses on the ground for immediate biofeedback, with one-on-one interactive imaginative play gently guided to address the child’s specific social-emotional goals. It can be viewed as a behavioural developmental approach to providing support to your child.  

Marianne has a degree in Occupational Therapy and has used her extensive training in developmental disorders, her unique Soulful Model for Wellness^©, as well as her knowledge of the therapeutic qualities of horses to create a magical program that values children’s main occupation of play, honours their need to make personal choices and recognizes that children are better prepared to face their challenges when they feel connected to life, as well as supported in all their environments. Just like us adults!

Results you can expect from PRIVATE one-on-one EASESS^© sessions

• Your child will ALWAYS look forward to playing with Marianne.
• An individualized intervention program plan approved by both parents and, most of all, your child.
• Helping your child recognize signs and symptoms in their body and behaviour when they are becoming unregulated versus when they are in control of their attention and emotions. This is done through the direct feedback the horses provide during interactions.
• Exploring and identifying the best soulful coping strategies for your child.
• Addressing social goals by incorporating the just-right challenge for your child to practice problem-solving through meaningful and high-affect play.
• Ongoing support for parents and possible considerations for school.
• Having your child beg you for a pony. Sorry about that one in advance!

Is your child the right fit?

These sessions are ideal for sensitive children struggling with mild to moderate social-emotional issues at home and at school. These include attention, emotional fluctuations, rigidity in interactions, difficulty with transitions, difficulty making or keeping friends, unwillingness to follow instructions, limited play repertoire, and more.

Your child will enjoy the sessions tremendously if they love animals (especially horses) and being outdoors. Sessions are also a great fit for creative and intuitive children who would thrive on learning soulful ways to work on their self-esteem.

If your child is unsure about working with horses or decides they are not quite ready initially, no worries at all! We will begin our intervention by focusing on our other goals and, if need be, readjusting our approach.

The age required for this program is 8 years old. Younger children are encouraged to check out the HORSEplay© program below.

If your child is a tween or teen, the program can be adjusted to be developmentally appropriate.

Who is not the right fit?

Unfortunately, children who experience unpredictable physical outbursts or tantrums would not be a good fit for safety reasons. This also includes movements such as hand flapping or other stimulatory behaviours, a tendency to spontaneously run or become agitated, and/or making shrieking-type sounds. Certain mobility limitations may not be appropriate for safety reasons.  Feel free to ask. 

In case of rain and storms

Outdoor sessions with the horses are not conducted in the rain or during heavy wind, ice, or snow storms. 

Winter programming for weekly FSCD students with BDS contracts

As the weather changes, FSCD contract goals can be addressed indoors through various mediums for those weekly students with behavioural developmental support contracts wanting to continue working with Marianne. When weather permits, there will be a portion of the session spent outdoors with the horses, however, students have the option to choose a variety of other exciting ways to strengthen their social-emotional skills:

-Expressive arts

-Regulating movement-based activities

-Skill-targeting imaginative play when developmentally appropriate

-Self-reflecting exercises based on cognitive-behavioural principles and mindfulness

HORSEplay© for children aged 4-7 years

Although children of all ages can benefit from being around horses, Equine-assisted Social-Emotional Skills Strengthening@ sessions are most effective for children ages 7-8 and up and, therefore, limited to that age group. Please note that this is also an insurance requirement. But don’t despair! Marianne has developed a social-emotional skill strengthening program for kids between the ages of 4-7 called HORSEplay©. This program can be considered a great pre-cursor to the EASESS© program!

H-Heart

O-Open

R-Reciprocal

S-Social

E-Emotional

Play

Not only will your child get safe, supervised, and controlled exposure to horses at the beginning and end of each session (weather permitting), but they will also be encouraged to let their imagination run wild as they unknowingly tackle their behavioural developmental social-emotional goals through horse-themed play (and more)!

Marianne’s HORSEplay© program is based on the foundational framework of the DIR© (developmental, individual-difference, relationship-based) model developed by Dr Stanley Greenspan. By following the child’s lead, it is possible to use the child’s most motivating interests to practice strengthening reciprocal interactions in a safe state of optimal regulation. Your child does not need to adapt to the social situation and environment; both are adapted to accommodate your child’s unique neurodiverse profile! Research has determined that children learn when they are happiest and having fun, and this program sets them up for success!

Parents, you will be given fun play strategies to practice at home, as well as practical ideas to optimize everyday interactions!

In warmer months, sessions will be mostly outdoors. In cooler months, weather permitting, we will be greeting the horses outside at the beginning of our sessions, conducting our sessions indoors, and doing a wrap-up outdoors in front of the horses.

 If you have an open file with FSCD, please contact your caseworker to find out what supports and services your child is eligible for through the FSCD program.

For children accessing behavioural development support hours through an FSCD contract, please speak to Marianne about program details and your best options.

2-Children’s Round-up! An experience for kids with special needs to experience horse care!

Calling all horse-loving kids! This is FREE! Want to learn more about horses and spend time on a magical family ranch? If you don’t mind getting a bit dirty, you can experience what it’s like to care for horses, and how amazing they are at caring for us!

This is a FREE experience for children with special needs of all ages. (Certain physical abilities are required; however, if there is an adult present to assist, and safety is assured, it might be suitable for children with limited physical capabilities). Please feel free to inquire!

Marianne tries to schedule this opportunity during the warmer months of the year. You can stay for a bit or stay the entire time! Must reserve your spot or check if there is space by emailing Marianne directly at info@mariannedisipio.com!

Stay tuned for our next date!

3-Classroom Visits

Please contact Marianne to discuss the perfect educational and/or recreational experience for your classroom! Prices are extremely affordable and dependent on time and activities! Special needs schools are absolutely welcome!