Testing Swim Instruction for Autistic Children

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of a specialized swimming and water-safety program (Sensory Enhanced Aquatics) and standard swimming lessons for autistic children. The main question\[s\]it aims to answer are: * Do Sensory Enhanced Aquatics and standard swimming lessons improve swimming and water-safety skills of autistic children? * Which participant characteristics are associated with the highest post-intervention swim skills and water safety across both groups? Participants will: * Complete questionnaires, motor, and swim tests before the intervention. * participate in 16, 30-minute Sensory Enhanced Aquatics lessons. * Complete a swim test after the intervention. * Complete an interview. Researchers will compare with participation in standard swim lessons to see if which bests teaches swimming and water-safety to autistic children.

Conditions

Autism

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of a specialized swimming and water-safety program (Sensory Enhanced Aquatics) and standard swimming lessons for autistic children. The main question\[s\]it aims to answer are: * Do Sensory Enhanced Aquatics and standard swimming lessons improve swimming and water-safety skills of autistic children? * Which participant characteristics are associated with the highest post-intervention swim skills and water safety across both groups? Participants will: * Complete questionnaires, motor, and swim tests before the intervention. * participate in 16, 30-minute Sensory Enhanced Aquatics lessons. * Complete a swim test after the intervention. * Complete an interview. Researchers will compare with participation in standard swim lessons to see if which bests teaches swimming and water-safety to autistic children.

Testing Effects of Swim Instruction on Autistic Children's Swimming and Water Safety Skills

Testing Swim Instruction for Autistic Children

Condition
Autism
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Kansas City

University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, United States, 66160

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Age 5-9 yrs. who have received a clinical diagnosis for autism based on Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 criteria
  • * A Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) T-score of ≥ 60
  • * Sufficient functional ability to understand directions and communicate preferences (verbally or non-verbally)
  • * Baseline swim test score ≤22
  • * No plans to relocate outside the study area during the intervention period.
  • * Physician consent.
  • * Uncontrolled epilepsy, as seizures increase risk of drowning.
  • * Baseline swim test score ≥23
  • * Aggressive behaviors that would put instructor safety at risk.

Ages Eligible for Study

5 Years to 9 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Kansas Medical Center,

Study Record Dates

2025-08-15