Abstract
People with autism are approximately twice as likely to die from drowning than members of the general population. Drowning can take place in quite small bodies of water. Therefore, acquiring good water safety skills is of the utmost importance. A systematic review of research into effective behavioural interventions for water safety and swim skills was conducted. In total, 11 studies were identified. Findings suggest that behaviourally based interventions can improve a range of water safety and swim skills in individuals with autism.
Highlights
People with autism are approximately twice as likely to die from drowning than members of the general population
Children and adults with autism are approximately twice as likely to die from drowning as members of the general population (Schendel et al 2016), and it is important that water-safety behaviours are taught to this population
Three studies used a constant time delay procedure (Rogers et al 2010a, 2010b; YilmazYilmaz et al 2010a, 2010b; Yilmaz et al 2005), Jull and Mirenda (2016) used a behavioural skills training approach and in three of the projects teaching methods were unclear (Huettig and Darden-Melton 2004; Pan 2010; Yilmaz et al 2004); Prompting procedures and constant time delay procedure were the only teaching methods which were used across multiple research projects; given that all studies report positive outcomes, there does not appear to be an obvious choice of method for teaching swim skills
Summary
People with autism are approximately twice as likely to die from drowning than members of the general population. In a later study, Yilmaz et al 2010a, 2010bagain used a constant time delay procedure (based on the Halliwick Method; Kokaridas and Lambeck 2015; Martin 1981) and a multiple-probe-across-behaviours design to teach foundational swimming skills to three boys with autism who were between 8 and 9 years of age.
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