Autism, horses and other therapiesAutism, horses and other therapies
All In The Mind
When a child is diagnosed with autism it can initially be devastating for parents—but then confusion sets in—what’s the most helpful approach?
28:50•19 Oct 2014
Autism, Horses and Hard Choices: Stories and Science in Family Life
Episode Overview
- Autism diagnoses can feel devastating, and parents often feel driven to try almost anything to help their child.
- Rupert Isaacson describes a structured Horse Boy method using horses, nature and movement to reduce anxiety and build communication.
- He stresses there is no cure for autism, but believes outdoor, family-based, sensory-aware activities can support autistic children.
- Nicole Rogerson argues that intensive, evidence-based early intervention, especially ABA, offers the strongest scientific support.
- She cautions families to prioritise high-quality information and proven therapies over appealing but unproven anecdotes or trends.
“"We went out to Mongolia with a kid that was autistic, and we came back with a kid that was autistic. There was no cure. There is no cure for autism."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety and parenting when life throws in autism as well? This instalment of *All In The Mind* centres on the shock of an autism diagnosis and the very different paths parents take in response, framed through Rupert Isaacson’s remarkable "horse boy" story and Nicole Rogerson’s firm focus on evidence-based treatment.
You’ll hear Rupert recount the moment his son Rowan ran to a horse called Betsy and, once in the saddle, suddenly spoke: "He became properly verbal the moment I got in the saddle with him and started to ride." From there, his family’s adventures with horses and traditional healers in Mongolia grow into the Horse Boy Foundation and a structured six-step method using movement, nature and oxytocin-fuelled rhythms to ease anxiety and open up communication.
Balancing this vivid narrative, autism advocate Nicole Rogerson brings a very different energy. She remembers her son Jack’s diagnosis as "devastating" and stresses the role of intensive, science-backed early intervention, particularly Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). As she puts it, "good, effective, intensive early intervention can make enormous difference"—even if it’s expensive, exhausting and far less glamorous than a trip across the steppe.
Host Lynne Malcolm guides the conversation so you get both the hope in Rupert’s family story and Nicole’s warning about vulnerable parents being swayed by "great parental anecdote" rather than solid research. The episode touches on early signs of autism, day-to-day realities for families, the ethics of following a child’s lead versus providing structured guidance, and the need to recognise both the challenges and gifts that come with autism.
If you’re juggling recovery, parenting, or simply trying to make sense of competing therapies, this thoughtful clash of ideas might help you ask better questions about what "help" really looks like—for you and for your family.
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