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Swim Program Pilot For Children With Autism: Impact On Behaviors And Health, Norah L. Johnson, Abir K. Bekhet, Tana Karenke, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

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 …