EFFECTS OF HYDROTHERAPY ASSOCIATED WITH PSYCHOMOTRICITY IN CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER - AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant deficits in communication, social interaction, and repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior. Hydrotherapy is a physiotherapeutic approach that utilizes the physical properties of water to promote benefits for the patient. The aquatic environment, in relation to psychomotricity, provides individuals with autism an understanding of interaction and perception of the environment related to their internal development, enhancing cognitive, affective, and social skills. Due to the scarcity of literature on the subject, the present study aims to gather and analyze current evidence to demonstrate the importance of aquatic physiotherapeutic intervention associated with psychomotricity in autistic patients. After excluding studies that did not meet the criteria for the proposed work, seven studies were included in this review, where hydrotherapeutic interventions were used for the treatment of autistic children. The articles showed that hydrotherapy is capable of improving the psychomotor aspects of children with ASD. In conclusion, we find that this approach is of utmost importance for improving the quality of life for these individuals; however, further investigations are warranted to advance knowledge in this practice.