Breanna Semmerling, left, is excited to go on a ride in a UTV with Area 31 lead guide Chayce Walker, right. (Contributed photograph)
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Riding the trails: Could UTVs be an effective autism therapy?
Imagine riding in a four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle through the wilderness on a rugged, backwoods trail. For most people, the roaring engine, the twists and turns, and the back-to-nature feel of the adventure would be exhilarating, almost therapeutic. But for someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one might assume the noise, dust, and bumpy terrain would be overwhelming, creating an experience that’s far from beneficial.
