IMPACT OF AQUATIC THERAPY ON SENSORY MODULATION OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO IMPROVE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

OBJECTIVES A Quasi experimental study was performed to evaluate the impact of aquatic therapy on sensory modulation in order to improve the ADL's in children with autistic spectrum disorder. STUDY DESIGN A Quasi Experimental study. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE Convenience sampling technique was used. STUDY SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS This study was conducted in Liaquat National Hospital-Occupational Therapy Peads Unit. The participants were the children with autistic spectrum disorder having sensory modulation disorder. INTERVENTIONS 56 autistic children were enrolled in this study. Each autistic child was first assessed on the basis of sensory profile for sensory deprivation and on WeeFIM pediatric functional independence measure for activities of daily living. The entire protocol was divided into six months of aquatic therapy with a frequency of 3 days a week. RESULTS A significant difference was observed in pre and post measurement of sensory profile and WeeFIM score measured by paired t-test. The p-value is found to be 0.03 on sensory profile and a p-value of 0.02 on FIM. CONCLUSION The findings indicated that the aquatic therapy has good impact on sensory modulation for activities of daily living.