biostudies-literatureUnknown5Salgueiro E<h4>Background</h4>Interaction programs involving dolphins and patients with various pathologies or developmental disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment, autism, atopic dermatitis, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression) have stimulated interest in their beneficial effects and therapeutic potential. However, the true effects observed in different clinical and psycho-educational setups are still controversial.<h4>Results</h4>An evaluation protocol consisting of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Psychoeducational Profile-Revised (PEP-R), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Theory of Mind Tasks (ToM Tasks) and a custom-made Interaction Evaluation Grid (IEG) to evaluate behavioural complexity during in-pool interactions was applied to 10 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The ATEC, ToM Tasks and CARS results show no benefits of the dolphin interaction program. Interestingly, the PEP-R suggests some statistically significant effects on 'Overall development score', as well as on their 'Fine motor development', 'Cognitive performance' and 'Cognitive verbal development'. Also, a significant evolution in behavioural complexity was shown by the IEG.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study does not support significant developmental progress resulting from the dolphin interaction program.BMC research notes199https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3468398biostudies-literatureEffects of a dolphin interaction program on children with autism spectrum disorders: an exploratory research.PMC3468398Salgueiro AISalgueiro EBarros ADos Santos MENunes LMaroco JfalseEffects of a dolphin interaction program on children with autism spectrum disorders: an exploratory research.<h4>Background</h4>Interaction programs involving dolphins and patients with various pathologies or developmental disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment, autism, atopic dermatitis, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression) have stimulated interest in their beneficial effects and therapeutic potential. However, the true effects observed in different clinical and psycho-educational setups are still controversial.<h4>Results</h4>An evaluation protocol consisting of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Psychoeducational Profile-Revised (PEP-R), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Theory of Mind Tasks (ToM Tasks) and a custom-made Interaction Evaluation Grid (IEG) to evaluate behavioural complexity during in-pool interactions was applied to 10 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The ATEC, ToM Tasks and CARS results show no benefits of the dolphin interaction program. Interestingly, the PEP-R suggests some statistically significant effects on 'Overall development score', as well as on their 'Fine motor development', 'Cognitive performance' and 'Cognitive verbal development'. Also, a significant evolution in behavioural complexity was shown by the IEG.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study does not support significant developmental progress resulting from the dolphin interaction program.2012-01-01T00:00:00Z2012 Apr2024-11-20T09:01:42.095Z2019-03-27T00:58:57ZS-EPMC34683982253753610.1186/1756-0500-5-199