Benefits of medical clowning in the treatment of young children with autism spectrum disorder

Conclusion: improvement over time in all measures: Significant increase in word production, play reciprocity, and amount of social smiles during CI as compared with OI. We also found a reduction in frequency of stereotypic behaviors during and following CI as compared with before CI. These preliminary results indicate that medical clowning may be beneficial for young children with ASD, since it promotes communication and social reciprocity in a fun and lively interventional setting.What is Known:•Many therapies are used and proven as efficacious interventions for children with ASD.•So far, medical clowning was not tested as an intervention or therapy for ASD.What is New:•Medical clowning sessions with children with ASD elicited enhanced communication during the interventions as compared with other interventions.•Medical clowning sessions contributed to a decrease in frequency of stereotypic movements over time, in children with ASD.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research