Family travels across Mongolia so autistic son can ride horses , meet shaman . Experts believe riding horses can be effective in gaining access to autistic children . Rowan Isaacson 's language and temper improved with horse / shaman contact . Isaacson has written a book , `` The Horse Boy , '' about Rowan 's autism . His parents never abandoned more orthodox treatments for Rowan 's autism .
Family travels across Mongolia so autistic son can ride horses , meet shaman . Experts believe riding horses can be effective in gaining access to autistic children . Rowan Isaacson 's language and temper improved with horse / shaman contact . His parents never abandoned more orthodox treatments for Rowan 's autism .