Ep. 4 Horticulture Therapy for Autism with Elisabeth Black Artwork

Akhil Autism Foundation

The Akhil Autism Foundation podcast provides practical and science-based solutions for families dealing with autism. Featuring guest interviews with experts in the field of autism, including physicians, health coaches, researchers, nutrionalists, herbalists, movement and speech therapists, as well as authors, educators and parents of children on the spectrum. Foundation founder and executive director, Manisha Lad is a Nutrition Consultant, and mother of an only son recovering from autism. He inspired her to not only start the Akhil Autism foundation, but he transformed her to become a Holistic Health Coach and Autism Advocate. Akhil’s Foundation was formed to Educate, Treat, Research and Support Autism. Help an autistic individual lead an independent and functional life. Every Autistic individual deserves treatment and every parent needs education.

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Akhil Autism Foundation

Ep. 4 Horticulture Therapy for Autism with Elisabeth Black

August 03, 2022 • Manisha Lad

“There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.”
~ Robert N. Hensel

Today we are talking with Elisabeth Black, a very interesting researcher and teaching assistant in Behavioral Neuroscience.

She is a high school teacher of students with special needs. She also teaches several classes with organizations like JoyDew Foundation, and schools like New Road School of NJ, and Hunterdon Central Regional High School.

She is currently studying how horticultural therapy can positively impact individuals - in particular, her autistic students, using biomarkers and other quantitative methods

Currently a PhD student in Behavioral Systems Neuroscience at Rutgers University, the main focus of Elisabeth’s research is to gather empirical evidence supporting the use of Horticultural Therapy to help people who have special needs, with a focus on Autistic People.

The methods used will include the use of measurements through non-invasive technology to measure stress biomarkers which include cortisol levels, eye movements and galvanic skin response.

As the founder and director of Horti-Hope Therapeutic Gardening Experiences, Elisabeth’s overall goal is to make Horticultural Therapy more accessible.

In today’s episode she shares her love for gardening and wisdom gathered in her research and experiences helping students learn the art and science of horticulture to improve the quality of their life.

SHOW NOTES

· How did you get into Gardening? Did you always have an interest in plants and horticulture? (3:30)

· What is horticulture? The difference between gardening and

Horticulture (6:35)

· The Philosophy of Horticultural Therapy (6:39)

· The Vertical Horticultural Program (13:19)

· How it helps improve mental and physical health (21:12)

· Elisabeth’s collaboration with AAF for Neurodiverse Gardners - Social Skills Program (29:20)

· Hortihope - Hydroponics and vertical farming (34:32)

· Elisabeth’s research (44:15)

· Autism employment in the green industry (50:37)

JoyDew Autism 2.0 - https://joydew.com/

Hortihope - http://hortihope.com/

Akhil Autism Foundation - https://akhilautismfoundation.org/