OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this study was to identify clinicians' perceptions of the benefits of aquatic therapy for young children with autism. METHODS: Eighteen aquatic occupational therapists treating young children with autism responded to a survey soliciting their opinions on changes in skill performance resulting from aquatic therapy. RESULTS: A majority of clinicians reported a substantial increase in swim skills, attention,muscle strength, balance, tolerating touch, initiating/maintaining eye contact, and water safety. CONCLUSION: The impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions seen in children with autism can be wide-ranging and outcomes can be difficult to operationally define and measure. In this preliminary study, clinicians identified the areas they perceived as improving as a result of aquatic therapy. This information could help narrow the field of likely outcomes as a first step toward studies of the effectiveness of aquatic therapy for children with autism.
OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this study was to identify clinicians' perceptions of the benefits of aquatic therapy for young children with autism. METHODS: Eighteen aquatic occupational therapists treating young children with autism responded to a survey soliciting their opinions on changes in skill performance resulting from aquatic therapy. RESULTS: A majority of clinicians reported a substantial increase in swim skills, attention,muscle strength, balance, tolerating touch, initiating/maintaining eye contact, and water safety. CONCLUSION: The impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions seen in children with autism can be wide-ranging and outcomes can be difficult to operationally define and measure. In this preliminary study, clinicians identified the areas they perceived as improving as a result of aquatic therapy. This information could help narrow the field of likely outcomes as a first step toward studies of the effectiveness of aquatic therapy for children with autism.
Authors: Emílio Salgueiro; Laura Nunes; Alexandra Barros; João Maroco; Ana Isabel Salgueiro; Manuel E Dos Santos Journal: BMC Res Notes Date: 2012-04-26
Authors: Javier Güeita-Rodríguez; Anna Ogonowska-Slodownik; Natalia Morgulec-Adamowicz; Mar Lledó Martín-Prades; Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar; Domingo Palacios-Ceña Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-18 Impact factor: 3.390