Whacky Autism Treatments - Swimming with Dolphins & Touching Beluga Whales

Autism has been plagued by whacky theories about its causes and treatments. Almost every thing imaginable has been offered to desperate parents as a cure or treatment for autism. The classic example of a whacky autism treatment is the "swimming with dolphins" treatment which has otherwise rational people spending money and placing their children in the water with dolphins in the hopes that the interaction would stimulate development in their autistic child. That particular therapy has now morphed into the "touching beluga whales" treatment offered in China.

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Beluga whales helping children with autism in China

Touching, feeding and training Beluga whales is helping 16 children suffering from autism in northeast China.

The children, all under 10 years of age are working with the whales at the Polarland Aquarium in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province.

Experts said that the sounds by beluga whales can help to treat infantile autism by stimulating thee children's nerve cells, which will be more effective when the children make direct contacts with the animals.

The children spend 30 minutes, three times a week with the whales which are from the Arctic Circle near Russia,

After a 20-day course of treatment the children are given medicines and get supportive therapy.

Dolphins have been used in other parts of the world to help stimulate children with autism, experts said.

Source: Xinhua