Even if the Scientists aren't impressed this would be worth it for the smiles (on elephants and autistic kids)
Sometimes, if I'm honest (which I'm sometimes not), the sheer variety of the projects we have going on bamboozles me, especially in this multi-media age where comments you make can make more impression on those that read them than those that write them. Nowadays it is not unusual to find ourselves sitting with old friends recently arrived, sipping beer by the Mekong, or with newly found friends come to ride the eles & see what we do, or, for even sweatier palms, standing, microphone in hand, before the assembled ranks for the fourth estate.
In the middle of my carefully rehearsed off the cuff chatter the question arises, I saw from your Facebook status that you were... ...what did you mean by that?
One such programme I've promoted with pride for a couple of years now without knowing too many of the details is the Thai Elephant-assisted Therapy Project to investigate the effects a structured relationship with an elephant can have on Autistic children, something we have indeed helped fund for all that time & something we've been rightly proud of.
However, the truth be told, I've never really been able to answer questions on this fascinating subject as, as most of you know, I'm not an occupational therapist and am a pretty poor observational scientist to boot. The brains behind the project has always been Dr Nuntanee Satiansukpong from the Faculty of Occupational Therapy at the University of Chiang Mai...
...& however flattered I have been that various friendly interrogators down the years have assumed we have the skill sets on site to look after, let alone systematically study, groups of autistic children, we don't, we're elephant people & that's our job. We have been proud to provide funding because we saw this as an opportunity, at the most basic level, to bring five elephants off the streets and at the highest level (as far as we're concerned with our 'Helping Elephants that can't Help Themselves' motto) help to find something for elephants to do that elevates them from beasts of burden, past objects of pity, to partners working with us to help improve the lives of those who have more difficulties than ourselves.
In short, we fund the elephant part only because that's what we're good at and we leave the work with the children to those who know what they're doing. Call me coward but that's what makes sense to me.
Until a couple of weeks ago that had been my answer, I trust that what Dr Nuntanee is doing is good, scientifically rigorous and has the potential to be hugely beneficial for humans, but we're in it for the elephants.
But a couple of weeks ago we funded the first open day at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang & Amp & I went down to see the human side of this.
Well, knock me down, call me Susan & then upgrade me to an enthusiast.
You all know how science works, I think, endless comparative studies to ensure what we think is going on is going on, long & verbose papers full of technical words aimed at confounding outsiders and then once you've proven what you think you've proven you give the paper to some equally qualified folks-who-weren't-there and they tell you if they think you've proven what you've proven before agreeing to let a high powered journal print your paper for the world to see (or not).
Well, I was there & and I cannot tell you if Dr Nuntanee has proven what she thinks she's proven (that these clinics and interactions, when taken to a certain level, help the autistic kids on a permanent basis), though the mahouts who recognised some of the kids were able to point to differences between those that had been through the programme before and those coming for the first time (but let's face it, autism or not, generally there's a difference between those meeting eles for the first time & those that are old hands).
I'm not going to pre-empt the science or second guess the experts, what I will tell you is that, even if there is no improvement in the condition, so long as there is no damage, the smiles on the faces of those kids make the whole thing worthwhile &, even for me, trump even the benefits for the elephants.
Posted by John Roberts at Sun, 21 Nov 2010 07:21:00 GMT 
Categories: Thailand Elephants, Scientific Research in Camp
Categories: Thailand Elephants, Scientific Research in Camp
...here's an interview I recorded on the day with Dr Nuntanee from the Faculty of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University & K. Nippakorn from the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, all in Thai.
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...just the way I like to be!
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Breathing Space Thailand Announces New Innovative Treatment Interventions for Clients with Co-Occurring Disorders
A service gap exists for individuals experiencing co-occurring disorders. New innovative and experimental interventions like, “Elephant Assisted Therapy” may impact this population's treatment.
New York, NY (PRWE
January 27, 2011
All too often, individuals seeking assistance for substance abuse present with multiple issues. Unfortunately, they are quickly diagnosed and categorized, and are directed into specific treatment modalities that lack dual focus. This is particularly true for clients experiencing Co-Occurring Disorders. Dual Diagnosed clients, defined as individuals experiencing both addiction and co-existing mental health conditions such as Mood or Anxiety Disorders, are failed by the current system.
Frequently, substance abuse arises as a symptom of underlying psychiatric diagnoses. The latest peer reviewed research, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Services, demonstrates that the vast majority of patients are in fact experiencing Co-Occurring Disorders. This population is growing at an alarming rate. Epidemiological data suggests a Dual Diagnosis rate of 79% in patients presenting for substance abuse treatment. However, only 8% of these individuals receive simultaneous treatment for both addiction and co-morbid psychiatric conditions. (Kessler et al.,1996) This demonstrates a shocking gap in health care delivery systems worldwide. Treatment centers like Breathing Space Thailand, are actively addressing this gap through comprehensive holistic interventions, designed specifically for clients struggling with co-occurring disorders.
Current literature in the field of mental health and substance abuse maintains that person centered, holistic approaches, that combine both the Twelve Step philosophy with Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral theories are most effective in achieving and maintaining sobriety, as well as overall emotional stability. Breathing Space Thailand, Asia's foremost fully licensed international treatment center, is leading the way in implementing Evidence Based Practice with innovative interventions for Dual Diagnosed clients. At Breathing Space, therapeutic interventions are individually designed to meet the unique needs of clients with co-occurring disorders.
Breathing Space Thailand incorporates traditional clinical interventions such as psychotherapy, medication management, symptom management, and coping skills training with alternative medicine and complimentary therapies. Clients at the facility have the opportunity to participate in yoga, meditation, Thai Chi, auricular acupuncture, massage and spa treatments, creative therapy, as well as have exposure to eastern philosophies that address the mind, body and soul. Anecdotal evidence compiled by the center, shows recovery success rates far greater than other facilities
Breathing Space Thailand is in the process of launching an experimental therapeutic program that will be the first of its kind in the world. “Elephant Assisted Therapy”, based upon existing equine and canine models of animal assisted therapy, utilizes the natural attributes of elephants to actively assist individuals in their recovery process. Elephants are highly intelligent, caring, creative and sensitive. They are capable of complex and even altruistic interactions with humans. Elephants are known to produce both Infra-sounds and Ultrasounds. Infrasound is inaudible to the human ear, but at certain frequencies can be heard as a low rumble, and can be felt in the diaphragm. Researchers at Thailand's Chiang Mai University, have found compelling evidence that elephant infrasound and ultrasound may have positive effect upon blood pressure and stress levels, as well as engender human emotion.
Additional research conducted by Chiang Mai University's faculty of Medical Sciences and Occupational Therapy Departments, have shown both motor and cognitive improvement in Autistic children, post interaction with elephants. (Satiansukpong, 2009) Breathing Space Thailand has gathered anecdotal, yet startling, preliminary evidence that links extensive client interaction with elephants, with improved mood and reduced anxieties.
It is this spirit of innovation and experimentation, that will serve as the driving force behind breakthroughs in the field of treatment for co-occurring disorders. The medical community must close the gap for the dual diagnosed, and recognize that co-occurring disorders must be treated simultaneously. Combining Evidence Based Practice with innovative and experimental methodology is vital for the development of effective interventions that foster both sobriety and psychiatric stability. In this respect, Breathing Space Thailand is indeed leading the way.
Breathing Space Thailand invites anyone dealing with an addiction to visit their website and take their addiction self assessment analysis to help them determine which program is most suitable for their recovery.
Ian C. Lyons, L.M.S.W.
Breathing Space Thailand
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