Healing through nature: exploring horticultural therapy for autism spectrum disorder (1990–2024)

Abstract

            This scoping review examined the existing literature on the effectiveness of horticultural therapy (HT) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between 1990 and 2024. Despite the wide timespan and comprehensive search strategy, the results revealed a notable scarcity of studies specifically focused on the ASD population. The limited available research, however, suggests that HT may be effective in addressing key challenges associated with ASD, including improvements in emotional regulation, social interaction, and stress reduction. Given the promising preliminary findings, this review underscores the need for further rigorous empirical studies to expand the evidence base and clarify the therapeutic potential of HT for individuals with ASD across various age groups, settings, and cultural contexts.