Effects of a dolphin interaction program on children with autism spectrum disorders – an exploratory research

Salgueiro, Emílio Eduardo Guerra; Nunes, Laura; Barros, Alexandra; Maroco, João; Salgueiro, Ana Isabel; Santos, Manuel Eduardo dos

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/1782

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
BMCRN 2012 5 199.pdf		819.45 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Salgueiro, Emílio Eduardo Guerra

Nunes, Laura

Barros, Alexandra

Maroco, João

Salgueiro, Ana Isabel

Santos, Manuel Eduardo dos

Abstract(s)

Background: Interaction programs involving dolphins and patients with various pathologies or developmental disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment, autism, atopic dermatitis, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression) have stimulated interest in their beneficial effects and therapeutic potential. However, the true effects observed in different clinical and psycho-educational setups are still controversial. Results: An evaluation protocol consisting of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Psychoeducational Profile-Revised (PEP-R), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Theory of Mind Tasks (ToM Tasks) and a custom-made Interaction Evaluation Grid (IEG) to evaluate behavioural complexity during in-pool interactions was applied to 10 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The ATEC, ToM Tasks and CARS results show no benefits of the dolphin interaction program. Interestingly, the PEP-R suggests some statistically significant effects on ‘Overall development score’, as well as on their ‘Fine motor development’, ‘Cognitive performance’ and ‘Cognitive verbal development’. Also, a significant evolution in behavioural complexity was shown by the IEG. Conclusions: This study does not support significant developmental progress resulting from the dolphin