Table 4

Examples of aquatic activities applied according to the CI-MAT model for children with ASD

Phase	Main objective	Examples of pool activities
Phase 1: Emotional bonding and affective safety	To promote trust, therapeutic attachment, and adaptation to the aquatic environment.	• Relays in small teams (transporting floating balls). • Group construction with pool noodles/mats (making rafts or figures). • Aquatic circle with changes of direction (group coordination). • Cooperative symbolic games: “saving the classmate” (carrying them on the mat from one side to the other).
Phase 2: Teaching aquatic skills and swimming	To promote motor autonomy, coordination, and basic swimming techniques.	• Independent floating with auxiliary material (pool noodles, kickboards). • Gliding races from the wall (with kickboard). • Playful submersions: collecting hoops or objects submerged at shallow depth. • Progressive introduction to basic strokes (front crawl and backstroke) with visual or demonstrative support.
Phase 3: Social integration and cooperation with peers	To stimulate social interaction, cooperation, and group play.	• Relays in small teams (transporting floating balls). • Group construction with pool noodles/mats (making rafts or figures). • Aquatic circle with changes of direction (group coordination). • Cooperative symbolic games: “saving the classmate” (carrying them on the mat from one side to the other).