Aquatic Thereapy: an Effective Treatment for Autism
Running head: AQUATIC THERAPY:
Aquatic Therapy: An Effective Physical Therapy for Children with Autism
Aquatic Therapy: An Effective Physical Therapy for Children with Autism Water has been used for rehabilitative, rejuvenation and healing purposes for over 100 years. (Irion, 1997). Aquatic therapy has been accepted as a beneficial physical therapy treatment. However, the primary use of aquatic therapy (Fragala-Pinkham, Haley, & O’Neill, 2008) has been for those patients that have had either neuromuscular or musculoskeletal maladies. The purpose of this study is to attempt to evaluate aquatic therapy’s effectiveness in mental conditioning. The focus is to determine aquatic therapy’s effectiveness in reducing self-stimulating behaviors, (i.e. head banging, rocking and hand flapping), in individuals with a diagnosis of autism or a diagnosis that falls under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders.
Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism is a disorder that is extremely difficult to define. Pediatricians, psychologists, and psychiatrists have not only argued for many years over the cause of autism and best treatments, but have consistently not agreed on the definition of autism itself. The generally accepted definition is that autism is a developmental disorder that exhibits in children usually within the first three years of life which causes developmental delay that can range from mild to severe. The DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) requires that children have a total of six deficits that fall under three separate categories to be diagnosed with “classic” autism. Children must have at least two deficits that fall under category A, B, and C, with, (at the very least), two deficits from category A, and, (at the very least), one deficit from category B and one deficit from category C. (Autism Speaks, Inc., n.d.) A. Impairment in social interaction B. Impairment in communication C. Repetitive and stereotyped patterns of
Aquatic Therapy: An Effective Physical Therapy for Children with Autism
Aquatic Therapy: An Effective Physical Therapy for Children with Autism Water has been used for rehabilitative, rejuvenation and healing purposes for over 100 years. (Irion, 1997). Aquatic therapy has been accepted as a beneficial physical therapy treatment. However, the primary use of aquatic therapy (Fragala-Pinkham, Haley, & O’Neill, 2008) has been for those patients that have had either neuromuscular or musculoskeletal maladies. The purpose of this study is to attempt to evaluate aquatic therapy’s effectiveness in mental conditioning. The focus is to determine aquatic therapy’s effectiveness in reducing self-stimulating behaviors, (i.e. head banging, rocking and hand flapping), in individuals with a diagnosis of autism or a diagnosis that falls under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders.
Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism is a disorder that is extremely difficult to define. Pediatricians, psychologists, and psychiatrists have not only argued for many years over the cause of autism and best treatments, but have consistently not agreed on the definition of autism itself. The generally accepted definition is that autism is a developmental disorder that exhibits in children usually within the first three years of life which causes developmental delay that can range from mild to severe. The DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) requires that children have a total of six deficits that fall under three separate categories to be diagnosed with “classic” autism. Children must have at least two deficits that fall under category A, B, and C, with, (at the very least), two deficits from category A, and, (at the very least), one deficit from category B and one deficit from category C. (Autism Speaks, Inc., n.d.) A. Impairment in social interaction B. Impairment in communication C. Repetitive and stereotyped patterns of
References: American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. Autism Speaks, Inc. (n.d.). What is Autism? Retrieved November 16, 2009, from http://www.autismspeaks.org Bodfish, J Broach, E., & Datillo, J. (1996). Aquatic therapy: making waves in therapeutic recreation. Parks & Recreation. Retrieved November 30, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://highbeam.com Edelson, S King, L. J. (1987). A sensory integrative approach to the education of the autistic child. Occupational Therapy in HealthCare, 4(2), 77-85. Retrieved November 30, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://highbeam.com Perko, S., & McLaughlin, T Potter, C., & Erzen, C. (2008). A multisensory aquatic environment for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The Exceptional Parent. Retrieved November 30, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://highbeam.com Ruoti, R