Nature as a preferential habitat in growth and socialisation processes in autism. A structured intervention

Nancy Fazzini, Ramona Sorricchio, Sara Palladini, Antonella Fortuna, Grazia Pezzopane, Ferdinando Suvini, Annamaria Porreca, Alessandra Martelli

Abstract


Dysfunctionality in socialisation is undoubtedly the most crucial characteristic of autism. For a long time, social functioning and its improvement have been considered among the most important interventions in the literature. Individuals with autism are responsive to therapist-mediated and/or peer-mediated interventions that increase their social engagement. The present study examines the impact of outdoor integrated activities, such as music therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and art therapy, in autistic individuals (n=14). The analysis was carried out on the application of a questionnaire assessing three social skill domains: Joint Attention (JA), Imitation (IMI), and Turn-Taking (T-T) mediated by the therapists and by peers. The development and acquisition of these social behaviours were examined in a structured outdoor context (ASO). Data were collected by two independent observers by White's Scale questionnaire. The results revealed that the proposed interventions facilitated and led to an increase in social-behavioural experience.


Keywords


autism; music therapy; equine-assisted therapy, art therapy, social behaviour

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23756/sp.v11i2.1462

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Copyright (c) 2023 Nancy Fazzini, Ramona Sorricchio, Sara Palladini, Antonella Fortuna, Grazia Pezzopane, Ferdinando Suvini, Annamaria Porreca, Alessandra Martelli

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Science & Philosophy - Journal of Epistemology, Science and Philosophy. ISSN 2282-7757; eISSN  2282-7765.