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Effects of a dolphin interaction program on children with autism spectrum disorders – an exploratory research
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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
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BMC Research Notes 2012 5:199