Program boundary: Resilient Riders provides equine-assisted wellness and educational activities. It does not diagnose, cure, or treat anxiety, autism, PTSD, depression, or any other medical or mental-health condition.
For children
- You may use words, pictures, gestures, or a device.
- You can ask for quiet, space, help, or a break.
- It is okay to need more time before answering.
For preteens
- Tell staff how you prefer to receive instructions.
- Ask staff to show one step at a time or repeat it.
- Choose a quieter place or caregiver support when available.
For teens and adults
- Communication preferences and sensory needs differ from person to person.
- Staff should offer concrete choices without requiring eye contact or quick speech.
- A caregiver may share observations, but should not replace a participant’s self-report when the participant can communicate it.
Practical choices
Ways to ask for support
- Show a break card or gesture.
- Ask for one instruction at a time.
- Request less noise, more space, or caregiver help.
- Choose not to answer an optional wellness question.
Observation is not self-report
Caregiver or staff observations may help describe visible actions when a participant cannot self-report. Record them clearly as observations—not as the participant’s wellness score, diagnosis, or clinical assessment.
Evidence and attribution
Sources and review information
Resilient Riders wrote this page in original language after reviewing the sources below. No third-party image, worksheet, logo, assessment, or downloadable file is reproduced.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
About Autism Spectrum Disorder- Publication or review date
- April 13, 2026
- Resilient Riders reviewed
- August 21, 2026
- How this source was used
- Government source summarized in original language. No source images, tools, logos, or downloadable materials are reproduced.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Managing Stress- Publication or review date
- May 12, 2026
- Resilient Riders reviewed
- August 21, 2026
- How this source was used
- Government source summarized in original language. No source images or downloadable materials are reproduced.