Desempenho Cognitivo de crianças com Autismo praticantes do Método Halliwick

Abstract

Abstract The present dissertation describes the investigation of 10 children aged from 7 to 12 years who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is a disorder in neurodevelopment characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction in multiple contexts. This work aimed to know and evaluate the cognitive performance of these children who have ASD through the Halliwick Method, in which the research was done at the the Espaço Multidisciplinar de Atendimento ao Autista Amigo Ruy (EAMAAR) medical center. It was possible to verify in the attendance of these children who were in the yellow level in training. At the yellow level we selected 5 activities that were: the balance control, which was performed when entering the water, without help; submersion and breathing control; performing rotation recovery; transverse rotation; they took object at the bottom of the pool; floated in the mushroom position. For a better understanding, our data collection was divided in three stages: 1st stage with initial evaluation; 2nd stage with the performance for 3 months, of the cognitive growth through this method during the classes; 3rd stage with final evaluation. Although some children presented difficulties, it was possible to conclude that they were able to perform and to have a good growth in their acquired aquatic abilities, as well as in the cognitive performance, in the speech and with the social interaction, inferring that from our results, the Method Halliwick has contributed in many ways to teaching swimming.