LANGKAWI: Forty-two autistic students participated in an aquatic therapy programme – spatial and risk therapy at the Correctional Academy in Langkawi today.
The programme was held as part of Bank Rakyat’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to help autistic students improve their concentration skills. The therapy can also help stimulate their motor skills, muscle strength and attention span while improving their balance.
Bank Rakyat senior vice-president (marketing and communications) Nizam Sani said the programme also help shape social relations among all the autistic participants especially when they are dealing a huge number of people.
“Parents will also be able to observe their children’s social pattern, behaviour and interaction skills among themselves during the therapy session.
“The therapy done in swimming pools intended to improve body posture and motor response of the students which helps with the development of their fine motor skills, visuals, inter-sensory, and self-confidence,” he said in a statement today.
Twelve schools here took part in the therapy organised by the Muslim Swimming and Sports Academy.
Only licensed swim coaches were involved as the coaches had to be registered as specialist teachers of Special Needs Swimmers with the Malaysia Swimming Teachers’ Association (MSTA) and Life Saving Society Malaysia.