An electronic-textile wearable communication board for individuals with autism engaged in horse therapy

Horse therapy is becoming an increasingly popular physical therapy activity for individuals with social, communication, or cognitive impairments as a means to help enhance social and interpersonal skills [1]. However, horse therapy and other very physically engaging therapies pose a challenge for those who rely on a communication board to communicate as the highly unstable nature of such activities impedes device operation. In such an instance, users are typically forced to abandon their communication board [2], rendering them unable to convey vital pieces of information throughout the duration of the physical therapy activity. This poster presents the Electronic-Textile (E-Textile) Wearable Communication Board - a device that was developed specifically to fill this void and support the communication needs of individuals with autism during horse therapy.