Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * between 11-18 years old; * a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders according the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5) as diagnosed by a Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg (BIG) registered healthcare professional; * insufficient emotion regulation after regular therapy for at least 1,5 years as indicated by a score above clinical cut-off (T-score = 65) on the EDI; * comorbidities are allowed except for those interfering with safety. Exclusion Criteria: * unable to respond to questions (parents or adolescents); * no access to an Internet connection; * insufficient mastery of Dutch language in parents or adolescents; * physically incapable to work with the horses; * unstable medication use; * total intelligence quotient (IQ) equal to or below 80 on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III-R or WISC-V); * allergic or phobic to horses; * insufficient regulation to safely handle the horses; * therapy with horses within the last two years.