title: Effects of a dolphin interaction program on children with autism spectrum disorders: an exploratory research.
abstract: 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 interaction program.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Investigação em Psicologia e Saúde, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal. emilioeduardo.salgueiro@gmail.com
authors.forename: Emílio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maroco
authors.forename: Ana Isabel
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
authors.forename: Manuel E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004289:Dolphins; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012107:Research Design