Ep. 4 Horticulture Therapy for Autism with Elisabeth Black

“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/