Swim Program Pilot for Children with Autism: Impact on Behaviors and Health

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Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methods pre-/post-pilot intervention study was to assess parental psychological health and child challenging behaviors before and after a swimming program for children with autism. Participants were 10 parent–child dyads. Child’s challenging behaviors were lower in the post testing (Cohen’s d = 0.07–0.45). Mean scores were improved for parent perception of general health (Cohen’s d = 0.22). Three themes emerged from the post swim program focus group: (a) Parent satisfaction with instructors with sub themes (i) firmness (ii) creativity, and (iii) promotion of social interaction and sharing, (b) improved child sleeping, and (c) family dynamics with sub themes (i) siblings wanted to swim and (ii) parents’ fear of drowning. Preliminary results point to improved child behaviors and parent perception of general health. Future studies can focus on expanding the swim program to include all family members
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)356-363
Number of pages8
JournalWestern Journal of Nursing Research
Volume43
Issue number4
Early online date14 Aug 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021

Funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The study was funded by the Summer Faculty Fellowship (SFF) and a Regular Research Grant (RRG) Fund, from the Marquette University Committee on Research.

FundersFunder number
Marquette University Committee on Research

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