The effect of hydrotherapy on aggression in children with autism spectrum disorder


Research has shown that hydrotherapy significantly reduces aggression in children with autism. While the main diagnostic features of
autism spectrum disorder include deficits in social and communication interactions as well as limited behaviors and interests, and among these, hydrotherapy is a stereotypical approach, aggression is also a feature of these children. ]

Explaining the findings of this study, it can be said that hydrotherapy is based on the principles of hydrodynamics. These principles include buoyancy, relative density, viscosity, resistance, hydrostatic pressure, and turbulence and flow, which provide multisensory stimuli through water temperature, weight relief, and atrial inlet. The properties of water cause active movement, provide postural support, strengthen muscle relaxation, improve blood circulation, and thus strengthen and facilitate motor skills based on individual abilities. All of these factors provide opportunities for social interaction and play and strengthen communication, skills. Verbal, self-esteem becomes self-awareness, all of which help reduce aggression.

Experts believe that hydrotherapy is one of the best ways to facilitate the development of motor skills and, consequently, improve social adequacy, considering the elements of movement, thinking, competition, and the aspect of games and entertainment, such as games and entertainment that underlie hydrotherapy. Is  considered as a very important factor in the growth of these two factors. This, especially due to the lack of social experiences of children with autism, enriches motor and social experiences compared to the peer group and will limit the opportunity to engage in aggressive behaviors.

For every organism, there is an optimal level of motivation. Aggressive behaviors increase motivation in less motivated situations and decrease in over-motivated situations by applying compensatory action. Consistent with this theory, it can be assumed that hydrotherapy and the techniques used in it are effective in reducing aggressive behaviors by facilitating the function of motivation modulation to the optimal level. Although individual case studies are more generalizable than single-subject surveys, there will still be the problem of generalizing the results due to the small number of subjects.

Given that the rate of aggression in children with autism spectrum disorder is very high, and since most educational and rehabilitation approaches in these children focus on the main signs and symptoms of autism, the use of complementary therapies in this regard is essential.

Also, due to the effectiveness of hydrotherapy on aggression in children with autism spectrum disorder, it is suggested that more attention be paid to this approach in autism education and rehabilitation centers and special programs be implemented to use these exercises.