The Teaching Process of Autistic Children in a Water Environment

Pedro Ángel Baena Beato

Noemí Castilla Gutiérrez

Gracia López-Contreras

*Corresponding author: Gracia López Contreras gracia@ugr.es

Original Language

Cite this article

Baena Beato, P. A., Castilla Gutiérrez, N., & López Contreras, G. (2010). The Teaching Process of Autistic Children in a Water Environment. Apunts. Educación Física y Deportes, 101, 25-31.

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Abstract

This article seeks to indicate the educational needs of autistic children and the possibility of working with them in water. One of the main characteristics of autism is the limited social interaction which leads to abnormal relationships with people and situations. It is advisable for these individuals to increase their physical activities. Water activities are good because they increase motor coordination, balance, attention and discipline and stimulate these individuals to follow instructions and obey rules. They stimulate the neuromuscular system and above all they are fun. The right use of the intrinsic characteristics of the water environment and properly focused work on fundamental content in doing the water activity adapted to people with motor disabilities for breathing, muscular flexibility, joint mobility, muscular tone, balance, floating, movement and relaxation, will favour progress in the social, physical, psychological and relationship aspects of autistic individuals.

Keywords: Autism, Education, Water Environment.

ISSN: 1577-4015

Received: April 7, 2008

Accepted: October 14, 2008

Published: July 01, 2010