Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Benefits Of Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Children On The Autism Spectrum, Caitlin Fitzpatrick

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The proposed study aims to identify the benefits of aquatic OT by examining the progress a child with ASD makes in motor skills, social, emotional, and physical development as well as evaluate the therapist’s ability to provide therapy, compared to therapy provided on land. It is hypothesized that providing occupational therapy in an aquatic environment for children with autism will have equal to or greater benefits as occupational therapy provided on land. Twenty-one participants were recruited from occupational therapy clinics and programs around the United States to take a survey asking questions to learn more about specific changes observed in …