Dogs help with autistic children and so do dolphins!

Dolphin-assisted therapy could be great news for families who have children living with cerebral palsy, autism, brain damage, ADHD and Down syndrome.  Therapy done in water with the aid of dolphins appears to produce dramatic positive results for children with these disabilities, according to research conducted by Dr. David Nathanson Ph. D.

He found that two weeks dolphin-assisted therapy was compared to the effectiveness of six month conventional physical and speech-language therapy! Part of the therapy’s success is of course attributed to the soothing water, but it is the playfulness and gentleness of the dolphins that is critical in attracting and holding the child’s interest and attention, as a therapist employs other rehabilitation strategies (occupational, physical, psychological or speech) based upon the needs of the child. Results have been excellent in both speech, response and motor skills.

Tim Kuhnert of Curacoa who suffers from cerebral palsy was helped immensley by dolphin-assisted therapy, so much so that his mother, Kirsten, created Dolphin Aid to fund further research and to help families to pay the $7,500 fee that is required to attend these dolphin-assisted therapy sessions.

Check here for more information about dolphin programs in Florida and their special needs programs. Check here for information about dogs helping autistic children.