Improvement of Self-Esteem in Children with Specific Learning Disorders after Donkey-Assisted Therapy.

Dyslexia is a learning disorder related to receptive language characterized by difficulties with decoding, fluent word recognition, automatic naming skills and/or reading comprehension skills. It usually leads to severe functional impairment and the permanent need for support and interventions. Since animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have been found to improve physical, emotional, cognitive and/or social functioning in humans, the aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of onotherapy on children with SLD by improving self-esteem and school performance. Sixteen patients with a diagnosis of dyslexia were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: the first was a conventional neuropsychological group therapy without onotherapy, and the second was a neuropsychological group therapy incorporating AAIs with therapy donkeys. The neuropsychological assessment included the WISC-IV, DDE and the TMA test, which were administered before and after the treatment in both groups. The results of the experimental group show significant improvement in word reading test correctness ( p = 0.03) and speed ( p = 0.03), non-word reading test speed ( p = 0.01), reading text test correctness ( p = 0.05) and speed ( p = 0.03), word writing test correctness ( p = 0.01), non-word writing test correctness ( p = 0.02), writing sentences with homophonic words correctness ( p = 0.01), interpersonal TMA ( p = 0.04) and the total TMA ( p = 0.04), which were significative. On the other hand, in the control group, significant differences were found in word reading test speed ( p = 0.01), non-word reading test speed ( p = 0.04), reading text test speed ( p = 0.02), writing word test correctness ( p = 0.01), writing non-word test correctness ( p = 0.01) and writing sentences with homophonic words ( p = 0.01). However, in this group, we observed no significant difference in the esteem of children. Training associated with the donkeys determined improved scholastic performances as far as reading is concerned and a change in self-esteem. Therefore, we can state that AAIs for dyslexia could be a viable and effective option to enhance the rehabilitation process, increase self-esteem and improve cognitive functions and language skills recovery.