Comments on: No More Swimming With the Dolphins http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:49:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Veronica http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-565324 Veronica Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:54:27 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-565324 Also, I personally worked with a family who had a young child with PDD. They attended sessions of dolphin therapy in Florida for a week. When they came back from the "vacation", my first impression was that the child is actually regressing, it seemed like he lost everything we worked so hard on prior to vacation, but my worries faded literally the very next day, when this child had a sudden leap of progress, like never before. I worked with this child until he turned 3 (which was about another 4 months after dolphin therapy)during this time, the parents also took him to Mexico and he went swimming with the dolphins during one of those regular dolphin shows. Parents took him about 3 times during the trip, and when he came back, I saw that he made another substantial leap. The child was more responsive, he made good eye contact, he followed directions, significantly reduced repetitive behavior, tantrums and most importantly rapid development of communication skills, which I found amazing. I obviously realize that it won't work for everyone and it is not a panacea for neurological disorders, but seeing the effect wit my own eyes, gave me hope. I also understand that dolphin therapy alone won't help, it also requires intensive behavior therapy, diet etc. Yet, it can be effective. The down part is obviously the cost of the program which can be afforded by very few people. Maybe, if there would be more research which can be subsidized and allowed families with limited income to participate on subsidized basis, we would be able to have sufficient data + or -. At least the program and its cost could be justified and possibly funded. If proven completely ineffective, then I would see why the program would be discredited. Also, I personally worked with a family who had a young child with PDD. They attended sessions of dolphin therapy in Florida for a week. When they came back from the “vacation”, my first impression was that the child is actually regressing, it seemed like he lost everything we worked so hard on prior to vacation, but my worries faded literally the very next day, when this child had a sudden leap of progress, like never before. I worked with this child until he turned 3 (which was about another 4 months after dolphin therapy)during this time, the parents also took him to Mexico and he went swimming with the dolphins during one of those regular dolphin shows. Parents took him about 3 times during the trip, and when he came back, I saw that he made another substantial leap. The child was more responsive, he made good eye contact, he followed directions, significantly reduced repetitive behavior, tantrums and most importantly rapid development of communication skills, which I found amazing. I obviously realize that it won’t work for everyone and it is not a panacea for neurological disorders, but seeing the effect wit my own eyes, gave me hope. I also understand that dolphin therapy alone won’t help, it also requires intensive behavior therapy, diet etc. Yet, it can be effective. The down part is obviously the cost of the program which can be afforded by very few people. Maybe, if there would be more research which can be subsidized and allowed families with limited income to participate on subsidized basis, we would be able to have sufficient data + or -. At least the program and its cost could be justified and possibly funded. If proven completely ineffective, then I would see why the program would be discredited.

]]> By: Veronica http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-565321 Veronica Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:33:49 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-565321 I understand the concern of safety of the animals and humans is very important, but I feel that there is a lot of emphasis placed on the actual idea of "therapy" with dolphins. I have to say that the experience of swimming with these mammals is like nothing else. It is a completely cleansing experience. They are so smart and pure that the interaction with them is truly a memorable experience. So, it is no wonder that with proper trained individuals on staff and in combination of sensory integrated activities it has a positive effect on kids with neurological disorders. I work with children on the Autism spectrum, and I know just how important sensory stimulation can be. Considering the fact that Dolphin therapy effectiveness has not been proved, does not mean it can be eliminated or banned. There is clearly not enough research in the field, and considering the cost and the limited amount of participants for some realistic data, it is very hard to prove its effectiveness, but I strongly believe there is something to it and should not be taken away as an option. I understand the concern of safety of the animals and humans is very important, but I feel that there is a lot of emphasis placed on the actual idea of “therapy” with dolphins. I have to say that the experience of swimming with these mammals is like nothing else. It is a completely cleansing experience. They are so smart and pure that the interaction with them is truly a memorable experience. So, it is no wonder that with proper trained individuals on staff and in combination of sensory integrated activities it has a positive effect on kids with neurological disorders. I work with children on the Autism spectrum, and I know just how important sensory stimulation can be. Considering the fact that Dolphin therapy effectiveness has not been proved, does not mean it can be eliminated or banned. There is clearly not enough research in the field, and considering the cost and the limited amount of participants for some realistic data, it is very hard to prove its effectiveness, but I strongly believe there is something to it and should not be taken away as an option.

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-562894 Regan Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:40:05 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-562894 Good grief. I just got a news blurb from an autism newsletter about "Elephant therapy". (This reminds me of a misunderstanding a few years ago where someone I knew thought hippotherapy meant therapy using...hippos. Elephants put you in the general ballpark, I guess). Sometimes I wish that people would take a deep breath before passing some of these things on, or do they really feel the need to leave no stone unturned in informing the "autism community"? Good grief.
I just got a news blurb from an autism newsletter about “Elephant therapy”. (This reminds me of a misunderstanding a few years ago where someone I knew thought hippotherapy meant therapy using…hippos. Elephants put you in the general ballpark, I guess).
Sometimes I wish that people would take a deep breath before passing some of these things on, or do they really feel the need to leave no stone unturned in informing the “autism community”?

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-557377 Regan Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:34:30 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-557377 Fielding J. Hurst, Thanks for posting the videos--I'm a P&T fan, and the content was <i>fascinating</i>, but whoo--"harsh" is a major understatement. Penn's language was positively <i>BLUE</i>. Thanks for the warning. Fielding J. Hurst,
Thanks for posting the videos–I’m a P&T fan, and the content was fascinating, but whoo–”harsh” is a major understatement. Penn’s language was positively BLUE. Thanks for the warning.

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-557076 Regan Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:31:10 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-557076 We aren't sure either, but Eleanor was really fascinated this year watching the folks at the county fair riding their horses. "Would you like to ride a horse like they are?" "Yes." Good enough for me as a starting point. The program here is graduated, so at least on paper they don't seem to expect the children to get on the horse until they get used to being comfortable being around them. (But we haven't done it first hand like some of the other commenters.) We aren’t sure either, but Eleanor was really fascinated this year watching the folks at the county fair riding their horses.
“Would you like to ride a horse like they are?”
“Yes.”
Good enough for me as a starting point.
The program here is graduated, so at least on paper they don’t seem to expect the children to get on the horse until they get used to being comfortable being around them. (But we haven’t done it first hand like some of the other commenters.)

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-557153 Kristina Chew, PhD Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:33:19 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-557153 Horseback riding is on our list----just not sure about Charlie's responses to get so close to an animal! Horseback riding is on our list—-just not sure about Charlie’s responses to get so close to an animal!

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-557197 Regan Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:25:23 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-557197 <i>it’s hooey as an autism treatment.</i> I have an acquaintance who becomes close to apoplectic about swimming with dolphins as treatment for autism. When he can become calm enough to talk about it, the reasons for the bitterness is that A. They gave it a shot based on testimonial and the salesmanship of the "dolphin therapists", B. It cost a lot of money that they really didn't have, C. It was entirely ineffective, so D. He felt that they were duped big time. And now I see that the dolphins may be exploited, so that it is not neutral for the animals either. I'm not counting on hippotherapy as any kind of cure, but the cost is within the realm of reason and horseback riding has a well-established track record as recreational leisure. We've started looking into a program in our neck of the woods. it’s hooey as an autism treatment.

I have an acquaintance who becomes close to apoplectic about swimming with dolphins as treatment for autism. When he can become calm enough to talk about it, the reasons for the bitterness is that
A. They gave it a shot based on testimonial and the salesmanship of the “dolphin therapists”,
B. It cost a lot of money that they really didn’t have,
C. It was entirely ineffective, so
D. He felt that they were duped big time.
And now I see that the dolphins may be exploited, so that it is not neutral for the animals either.
I’m not counting on hippotherapy as any kind of cure, but the cost is within the realm of reason and horseback riding has a well-established track record as recreational leisure. We’ve started looking into a program in our neck of the woods.

]]> By: Fielding J. Hurst http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-557188 Fielding J. Hurst Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:49:18 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-557188 I highly recommend you watch the Penn and Teller show Bulls*&^ on Dolphins. Putting your child in with a dolphin can be very dangerous, and while fun and your kid may enjoy it, it's hooey as an autism treatment. With that said, we do the horse therapy and my 7 year old with PDD-NOS loves it. I see it as a good thing for her, but I am still not sure I would call it "therapy". If I start taking kids for a ride on my 4 Wheeler, could I charge and call it "Offroad therapy", apparently. :-) ***WARNING: HARSH LANGUAGE, DON'T WATCH IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED****, but funny as heck ... PENN & TELLER on Dolphins ... part 2 mentioned the autism treatments, etc. part I - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_2rD24mQw&feature=related part II - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7-HcHQoioM&feature=related part III - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoHqB_FQkpA&feature=related Fielding J. Hurst http://autismparents.net I highly recommend you watch the Penn and Teller show Bulls*&^ on Dolphins. Putting your child in with a dolphin can be very dangerous, and while fun and your kid may enjoy it, it’s hooey as an autism treatment.

With that said, we do the horse therapy and my 7 year old with PDD-NOS loves it. I see it as a good thing for her, but I am still not sure I would call it “therapy”. If I start taking kids for a ride on my 4 Wheeler, could I charge and call it “Offroad therapy”, apparently. :-)

***WARNING: HARSH LANGUAGE, DON’T WATCH IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED****, but funny as heck …

PENN & TELLER on Dolphins … part 2 mentioned the autism treatments, etc.

part I – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_2rD24mQw&feature=related

part II – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7-HcHQoioM&feature=related

part III – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoHqB_FQkpA&feature=related

Fielding J. Hurst

http://autismparents.net

]]> By: Bonnie Sayers http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-556806 Bonnie Sayers Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:37:01 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-556806 My kids are 12(next Monday) and 13. The only part I could not do is getting into the water with him, so we need to wait for him to reach 16, since maybe a parent does not need to go in. There is no way I could wear one of those wet suits with my severe eczema. My kids are 12(next Monday) and 13. The only part I could not do is getting into the water with him, so we need to wait for him to reach 16, since maybe a parent does not need to go in. There is no way I could wear one of those wet suits with my severe eczema.

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/comment-page-1/#comment-556804 Kristina Chew, PhD Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:30:33 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/no-more-swimming-with-the-dolphins/#comment-556804 Charlie's only been on a pony a few times and I think he'd like horseback riding---I think, since I'm not 100% sure of his reactions to animals. Charlie’s only been on a pony a few times and I think he’d like horseback riding—I think, since I’m not 100% sure of his reactions to animals.

]]>