News summaries for autism therapy: dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT)

definition of dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT): Therapy that involves encounters between people with special needs and dolphins. Specially-trained therapists can be involved in working with children with autism during DAT.

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Dolphin therapy has been introduced in China to children with autism. Over 100 children have had contact with dolphins. Parents of the children see improvement in their child’s speech and motor skills. One parent says, “We have been using the dolphin therapy for almost a year. Although my child's progress is slow, there is an obvious improvement. We have seen a real difference since she has come here to listen to the dolphins squeaking. Since she started the treatment, she can focus her attention longer and is not as quiet as before.” It has been only four years since China recognized autism as a disability.

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The Dubai Autism Center (DAC) has added dolphin therapy to its interventions for children with autism. Forty-five children now have the opportunity to play with, touch, feed, and communicate with dolphins. The dolphin therapy is conducted by occupational therapists (OT) and movement therapists. The parents are excited to have their children involved in the first center of this type in Dubai, "It is a good therapy and a great way of schooling. For our little boy, it has been a great experience as he could come back and name the different dolphins."

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Nemo the dolphin, and three of his fishy friends are used at the Curacao Dolphin Therapy and Research Centre (CDTC) to help autistic children with touch and eye contact. The CDTC, located in the Netherland Antilles, uses a dolphin, a therapist, and a secluded lagoon to work with children with autism to encourage interaction using hand strokes and eye contact.

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Synonyms for dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) include: DAT, dolphin assisted therapy, dolphin therapy, dophin-assisted therapy
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