AquOTic water-safety and swim-skills program for children with autism
Official title: Water Competency Intervention for Children on the Autism Spectrum: The AquOTic Hybrid Effectiveness Implementation Trial
Run by Ohio State University · NCT07076264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This 10-week occupational therapy–led program will try to improve water safety and swimming skills in children aged 5–9 on the autism spectrum by comparing delivery by student professionals versus trained community interventionists.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years to 9 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 108 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ohio State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, Ohio) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 19, 2025 |
| Main results expected | April 2029 |
| Study ends | April 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07076264 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children aged 5–9 with an educational or medical diagnosis of autism, normal or corrected vision and hearing, who are not already swim-proficient and whose families can commit to the session schedule.
✕Probably not a fit
Children already demonstrating swim proficiency, those with severe motor or neurological impairments (for example uncontrolled seizures, Rett or Angelman syndromes), or those with chlorine allergy or open infectious skin conditions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
AquOTic is a structured, evidence-informed occupational therapy intervention delivered in weekly 60-minute group sessions over 10 weeks, with six children per group each paired 1:1 with an interventionist. Sessions use six rotating stations to teach water competency and swim-safety skills while allowing individualized support from the interventionist. The study will enroll 108 children with autism and randomly assign them to one of three arms, including AquOTic delivered by professional student interventionists, AquOTic delivered by trained community interventionists, and a comparison arm. Outcomes focus on changes in water competency and swim skills measured before and after the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase water safety and swim competence in autistic children and reduce drowning risk while identifying scalable delivery models.
How similar studies have gone: Occupational therapy–led aquatic programs have shown promising improvements in water skills for autistic children, though direct comparisons of different implementation models are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Children Participants (n=108) Inclusion Criteria * Educational or medical diagnosis of autism * Age between 5 - 9 years * Having vision and hearing within normal limits with or without corrective modifications Exclusion Criteria * Children who demonstrate swim proficiency, as defined by the ability to tread water for 1 minute or move the body through the water without flotation * Open wounds or infectious skin diseases * Allergy to chlorine * Severe co-occurring motor impairments or neurological conditions such as uncontrolled seizures, Rett's or Angelman's syndrome * The family is unable to commit to the sessions or evaluations Interventionists (n=64) Inclusion Criteria * Aged 18 or over * Demonstrate swim proficiency, as defined by the ability to tread water for 1 minute and move the body through the water without flotation for 25 yards Exclusion Criteria * Open wounds or infectious diseases * Failed background check * Unable to commit to Basic Swim Instructor and AquOTic training (\~40 hours) and 10 AquOTic sessions (20 hours)
Where it's running
-
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jewel Crasta, PhD
- Email: jewel.crasta@osumc.edu
- Phone: (970) 682 - 8031
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.