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Description

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience sensory dysregulation that significantly impairs their participation in daily occupations and increases caregiver strain (Lawson et al., 2020; Passarello et al., 2022). Although aquatic therapy has shown promise in improving sensory processing, motor skills, and social participation, there is limited research examining its specific impact on the caregivers’ ability to provide support at home (Butzman et al., 2022; Caputo et al., 2018; Güeita-Rodríguez et al., 2021).

This study is a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pre/post-design. This study sought to investigate the impact of six weeks of aquatic therapy intervention on sensory regulation and its correlation to caregiver strain. Aquatic therapy intervention sessions were administered by a licensed occupational therapist and aligned with the four quadrants in Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing: sensory registration, sensory seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensory avoiding.

Publication Date

Summer 8-7-2026

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Aquatics, Sensory, Caregivers, Autism, Strain, Perceived, Pre-Test, Post-Test, Regulation, Intervention

Medical Subject Headings

Aquatic Therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Caregiver, Occupational Therapy, Sensory Processing, Social Participation, Motor Skills, Children, Occupations, Activities of Daily Living

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Aquatic Therapy and Its Impact on Perceived Caregiver Strain

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