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EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION SKILLS BY SUBAGINI

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I've been doing a lot of presenting recently, and I have no problem admitting that it's tough. For those not born with natural eloquence, public speaking can be remarkably nerve-racking. But I'm getting a lot better!

One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the last few years is that to be a great public speaker, it's key to develop a personal speaking style. Since I know I'm not the most eloquent speaker in the world, I make up for it by packing my presentations with enthusiasm, unique/proprietary data, and tons of useful content as well as plenty of dumb jokes.

We can't all deliver the next Gettysburg Address, but there are lots of small things you can do prior to your presentation that will help calm your nerves and set you up for a better presentation. Here are my 20 best tips to improve your presentation skills.

1. Practice!

Naturally, you'll want to rehearse your presentation multiple times. While it can be difficult for those with packed schedules to spare time to practice, it's essential if you want to deliver a rousing presentation. I'm famous around the office for staying up late the night before a big presentation, practicing over and over. If you really want to sound great, write out your speech rather than taking chances winging it - if you get nervous about speaking, a script is your best friend.

Try to practice where you'll be delivering your talk. Some acting strategists suggest rehearsing lines in various positions - standing up, sitting down, with arms open wide, on one leg, while sitting on the toilet, etc. (OK, that last one may be optional.) The more you mix up your position and setting, the more comfortable you'll feel with your speech. Do a practice run for a friend or colleague, or try recording your presentation and playing it back to evaluate which areas need work. Listening to recordings of your past talks can clue you in to bad habits you may be unaware of, as well as inspiring the age-old question: "Is that what I really sound like?"

2. Transform Nervous Energy Into Enthusiasm.

It may sound strange, but I'll often down an energy drink and blast hip-hop music in my earphones before presenting. Why? It pumps me up and helps me turn jitters into focused enthusiasm. Studies have shown that an enthusiastic speech can win out over an eloquent one, and since I'm not exactly the Winston Churchill of presenters, I make sure that I'm as enthusiastic and energetic as possible before going on stage. Of course, individuals respond differently to caffeine overload, so know your own body before guzzling those monster energy drinks.

3. Attend Other Presentations.

If you're giving a talk as part of a conference, try to attend some of the earlier talks by other presenters to scope out their presentation skills and get some context. This shows respect for your fellow presenters while also giving you a chance to feel out the audience. What's the mood of the crowd? Are folks in the mood to laugh or are they a bit more stiff? Are the presentations more strategic or tactical in nature? Another speaker may also say something that you can play off of later in your own presentation.

4. Arrive Early.

It's always best to allow yourself plenty of time to settle in before your talk. Extra time ensures you won't be late (even if Google Maps shuts down) and gives you plenty of time to get adapted to your presentation space.

5. Adjust to Your Surroundings.

The more adjusted to your environment you are, the more comfortable you'll feel. Make sure to spend some in the room where you will be delivering your presentation. If possible, practice with the microphone and lighting, make sure you understand the seating and be aware of any distractions potentially posed by the venue (e.g., a noisy road outside).
5 minutes before my Inbound presentation ... gulp
6. Meet and Greet.

Do your best to chat with people before your presentation. Talking with audiences makes you seem more likeable and approachable. Ask event attendees questions and take in their responses. They may even give you some inspiration to weave into your talk.

7. Use Positive Visualization.

Whether or not you're a Zen master, know that plenty of studies have proven the effectiveness of positive visualization. When we imagine a positive outcome to a scenario in our mind, it's more likely to play out the way we envision.

Instead of thinking "I'm going to be terrible out there" and visualizing yourself throwing up mid-presentation, imagine yourself getting tons of laughs while presenting with the enthusiasm of Jimmy Fallon and the poise of Audrey Hepburn (the charm of George Clooney wouldn't hurt either). Positive thoughts can be incredibly effective - give them a shot.

8. Remember That Most Audiences Are Sympathetic.

One of the hardest fears to shake when speaking in public is that the audience is secretly waiting to laugh at your missteps or mistakes. Fortunately, this isn't the case in the vast majority of presentations.

The audience wants to see you succeed. In fact, many people have a fear of public speaking, so even if the audience seems indifferent, the chances are pretty good that most people listening to your presentation can relate to how nerve-racking it can be. If you start to feel nervous, remind yourself that the audience gets it, and actually wants to see you nail it.

9. Take Deep Breaths.

The go-to advice for jitters has truth to it. When we're nervous, our muscles tighten--you may even catch yourself holding your breath. Instead, go ahead and take those deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body.

10. Smile.

Smiling increases endorphins, replacing anxiety with calm and making you feel good about your presentation. Smiling also exhibits confidence and enthusiasm to the crowd. And this tip works even if you're doing a webinar and people can't see you.

Just don't overdo it - no one enjoys the maniacal clown look.

Don't be like this guy.

11. Exercise.

Exercise earlier in the day prior to your presentation to boost endorphins, which will help alleviate anxiety. Better pre-register for that Zumba class!

12. Work on Your Pauses.

When you're nervous, it's easy to speed up your presentation and end up talking too fast, which in turn causes you to run out of breath, get more nervous, and panic! Ahh!

Don't be afraid to slow down and use pauses in your speech. Pausing can be used to emphasize certain points and to help your talk feel more conversational. If you feel yourself losing control of your pacing, just take a nice pause and keep cool.

13. Don't Try to Cover Too Much Material.

Yes, your presentations should be full of useful, insightful, and actionable information, but that doesn't mean you should try to condense a vast and complex topic into a 10-minute presentation.

90 slides in 30 minutes? Only from @larrykim #stateofsearch http://t.co/uttijruots
- Kate Gwozdz (@KateGwozdz) November 17, 2014

Knowing what to include, and what to leave out, is crucial to the success of a good presentation. I'm not suggesting you skimp when it comes to data or including useful slides (some of my webinars have featured 80+ slides), but I am advocating for a rigorous editing process. If it feels too off-topic, or is only marginally relevant to your main points, leave it out. You can always use the excess material in another presentation.

14. Actively Engage the Audience.

People love to talk and make their opinions heard, but the nature of presentations can often seem like a one-sided proposition. It doesn't have to be, though.

Asking the audience what they think, inviting questions, and other means of welcoming audience participation can boost engagement and make attendees feel like a part of a conversation. It also makes you, the presenter, seem much more relatable. Consider starting with a poll or survey. Don't be put off by unexpected questions - instead, see them as an opportunity to give your audience what they want.
Hopefully this man has a question, and doesn't just need to go to the bathroom.
15. Be Entertaining.

Even if your presentation is packed with useful information, if your delivery bombs, so will your session.

I find that including some jokes and light-hearted slides is a great way to help the audience (and myself) feel more comfortable, especially when presenting them with a great deal of information. However, it's important to maintain a balance - after all, you're not performing a stand-up routine, and people didn't come to your presentation with the sole intention of being entertained. That said, don't be afraid to inject a little humor into your talk. If you're not sure about whether a presentation is "too much," run through it for a couple of friends and ask them to tell it to you straight.

16. Admit You Don't Have All the Answers.

Very few presenters are willing to publicly concede that they don't actually know everything because they feel it undermines their authority. However, since we all know that nobody can ever know everything about a given topic, admitting so in a presentation can actually improve your credibility.

If someone asks a question that stumps you, it's okay to admit it. This can also increase your credibility with the audience, as it demonstrates that, no matter how knowledgeable a person might be, we're all learning, all the time. Nobody expects you to be an omniscient oracle of forbidden knowledge - they just want to learn from you.

17. Use a Power Stance.

Practicing confident body language is another way to boost your pre-presentation jitters. When your body is physically demonstrating confidence, your mind will follow suit. While you don't want to be jutting out your chest in an alpha gorilla pose all afternoon (somebody enjoyed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes a bit too much), studies have shown that using power stances a few minutes before giving a talk (or heading to a big interview) creates a lasting sense of confidence and assurance. Whatever you do, don't sit--sitting is passive. Standing or walking a bit will help you harness those stomach bats (isn't that more appropriate than butterflies?). Before you go on stage, strike your best Power Ranger stance and hold your head high!

18. Drink Water.

Dry mouth is a common result of anxiety. Prevent cottonmouth blues by staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water before your talk (just don't forget to hit the bathroom before starting). Keep a bottle of water at arm's reach while presenting in case you get dry mouth while chatting up a storm. It also provides a solid object to hurl at potential hecklers. (That'll show 'em.)

19. Join Toastmasters.

Toastmaster clubs are groups across the country (and the world) dedicated to helping members improve their presentation skills. Groups get together during lunch or after work to take turns delivering short talks on a chosen topic. The more you present, the better you'll be, so consider joining a Toastmaster club to become a top-notch orator. Just don't forget, it's BYOB (Bring Your Own Bread).

20. Don't Fight the Fear.

Accept your fear rather than trying to fight it. Getting yourself worked up by wondering if people will notice your nervousness will only intensify your anxiety. Remember, those jitters aren't all bad - harness that nervous energy and transform it into positive enthusiasm and you'll be golden. We salute you, O Captain! My Captain!

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20 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills

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I've been doing a lot of presenting recently, and I have no problem admitting that it's tough. For those not born with natural eloquence, public speaking can be remarkably nerve-racking. But I'm getting a lot better! One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the last few years is that to be a great public speaker, it's key to develop a personal speaking style.

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AUTISM:
DEFINITION
SYMPTOMS
PROBLEM (PERSON EMOTION)

DOLPHIN THERAPY:
WHAT IS IT?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
WRITE RESEARCH TO SHOW THAT THIS THERAPY WORKS/IMPORTANT

THESIS STATEMENT

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NOTE: TAKE A LOOK FROM COURSE MODULE - SYNTHESIZING INFORMATION

SUPPORTING IDEAS - EXPLANATION FROM YOUR POINT
WRITE YOUR OWN WORDS

SOURCE - CITATION FORM YOUR RESEARCH

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madam aida already approve About our topic:

DOLPHIN THERAPY FOR AUTISM

POINT
1. COMMUNICATION- AMNA

2. SOCIAL INTERACTION -HAZIQAH

3.LIFE SPANS - MUSZ

NOTE: haziqah already found two points that suitable with the topic. amna and musz find the last point that suitable with our topic.

EACH POINT FOR EACH PERSON (RESEARCH / FIND  YOUR OWN POINT)

1PERSON MUST HAVE 3 REFERENCE  ABOUT YOUR POINT.

IF YOU DONT UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ABOUT THIS EXPLANATION PLEASE WHATSAPP ME (SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH)

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After mid sem break :
we must hand in integrated outline (hard copy)

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About the son (a five-year-old boy with an autism spectrum disorder): "The child started communicating with his peers, became more curious and started talking and drawing. He is more affectionate, stereotypical movements are not so frequent, he stays focussed for a longer period of time."

About the son (a fifteen-year-old boy with cerebral palsy): "The speech has improved, logical thinking is observed, he has become more curious, orientation has improved, he wants to stand up and make steps with the help of a walker. After the sessions, the child's body has become more relaxed, he grabs things more easily."

About the daughter (a nine-year-old girl with an autism spectrum disorder): "The girl's appetite and sleep improved after several sessions. She has become more calm and is not so much afraid of new situations, like earlier. Upon returning home she embraced and kissed her little brother (she had never done that before). The most significant change is the fact that she uses more sounds and syllables in her daily routine and tries to mimic."

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From Klaipėda. Take a passenger ferry from the Old Ferry Terminal (addr. Danės St. 1, Klaipėda) or a ferry for vehicles from the New Ferry Terminal (addr. Nemuno St. 8, Klaipėda) to Smiltynė. The distance from the passenger ferry terminal to the Lithuanian Sea Museum is 1,8 kilometer.

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HOW DOLPHIN THERAPY APPLY IN COMMUNICATION:

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HOW DOLPHIN THERAPY APPLY IN COMMUNICATION:

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1.The dolphin have a high sociability and friendliness so that children with autism easily to communicate with the dolphin.
http://therapynemo.com/en/scientific-work/ethical-aspect/

2.The idea is that autistic children benefit from the presence of the guiding hand and are able to more easily choose letters and pictures that communicate what they are thinking and feeling.
http://www.pvmhmr.org/20-autism/article/8795-therapeutic-animals-chelation-and-facilitated-communication

3.A patient interacts with dolphins 30 minutes daily. Additional programs are provided if the entire course of the dolphin assisted therapy sessions (10 days) is ordered.
http://muziejus.lt/en/paslaugos/dolphin-assisted-therapy

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The Dolphin Centre does not support Dolphin Assisted Therapy to the extent where dolphins are kept in captivity in order to assist in Therapy; we do however embrace the idea that interaction with dolphins could well be beneficial to humans.

Although no scientific evidence exists, research has shown the positive effects that interacting with dolphins appears to have on humans. Researchers suggest that swimming with dolphins has the ability to reinforce the human immune system, to improve awareness, lengthen attention span and increase self-control, and cause feelings of compassion and self-assurance to develop.

An analysis of the effect of Dolphin Therapy on participants in the Dolphin Therapy program shows that a positive effect or improved condition has been experienced by those who suffer from, amongst others illnesses depression, insomnia, ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, muscular dystrophy and Down syndrome.

A more scientific explanation is that dolphins' use of sonar and echolocation produces changes in the cell structure of the patient's body; it is consequently believed that, through the use of sound waves and echolocation, healing can be stimulated and the state of consciousness altered.

Dolphins may or may not have the ability to heal but they do without doubt provoke a deep sense of completion and realisation within us. The Dolphin Centre's Dolphin Swim program has the power to encourage and provoke significant life changes to occur, changes beneficial to the state of our inner being; the experience leaves one with feelings of utter fulfillment and self-assurance yet at the same time wholly content and at peace, at one with nature and its wondrous and mysterious creatures.

This dolphin program would be favorable to anyone wishing for a meaningful and moving experience - a family wanting an unforgettable adventure, corporates out on a team building exercise, and in particular those with special needs or suffering from chronic illness.

For an in-depth account on Dolphin Assisted Therapy read the essay written by VerucaSaltChick below:

Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Written by: VerucaSaltChick

Dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) is a highly controversial topic in the medical world. Is it medicine or simply recreation? Whatever you might believe, you cannot deny the fact that dolphins are loving and nurturing mammals with the ability to show compassion. Along with that ability for compassion, some may claim that there is actual science, which proves that interactions with dolphins have helped to treat many patients. Most of the patients in dolphin-assisted therapy are children with autism, Down's syndrome, depression, and other neurological and movement disorders.

The theory behind dolphin-assisted therapy is based on two philosophies. One of these is that the unconditional love and support a dolphin has to offer can benefit children and mentally ill patients in many ways. As with most animals, a dolphin seems to have human-like emotions, so a deep trusting bond can develop between patient and mammal. Some proponents of dolphin-assisted therapy claim that the compassion a dolphin displays increases the patient's self-confidence, because the patient is never judged. Increased self-confidence can lead to better social skills and academic improvement.

The second part of the theory involves a more scientific approach. It involves echolocation (echolocation: a high-pitched sound sent out by the dolphin that bounces off an object and returns to the whale. The dolphin interprets the returning echo to determine the object's shape, direction, distance, and texture).

Some say that the dolphins' use of sonar and echolocation produce changes in the body tissue and cell structure of patients who associate with them. Others believe that sound waves emitted by the dolphins in communication and echolocation stimulate healing. A diminishing of anxiety and depression, enhanced learning in handicapped children, and pain relief are all attributed, by some researchers, to dolphin echolocation. Echolocation is also thought to help increase attention span, develop motor skills, and develop better co-ordination in children

Although dolphin assisted therapy has many supporters, it also has a large number of critics. They say dolphin assisted therapy is an advertised miracle along with a hefty fee. Dr. Bernard Rimland, director of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego says, "There is no scientific evidence at all that using dolphins is helpful.... It's a recreational thing." Michael Westerveld, a pediatirc neuropsychologist at Yale University's School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, said "If there is any success, I'd be more likely inclined to attribute it to the general effects of.... the opportunity to interact with animals. You could buy them a puppy and see the same results." Also there has been very little research done about dolphin assisted therapy, which also makes medical doctors suspicious.

The other problem with dolphin assisted therapy, some claim, is that it is a form of cruelty to animals. They say that keeping a dolphin in captivity merely because we believe there is some miracle cure for handicaps, when there is no actual proof, is inappropriate.

Several case studies illustrate the arguments in favor of dolphin assisted therapy. In one case, a fifteen year old girl named Tracy, regularly confined in a psychiatric ward for severely disturbed adolescents, was found lying on the beach at Eilat, Israel. Her feet were bloody and cut from the sharp coral reefs. She claimed that she was there because she had received telepathic messages from her alien cousins, the dolphins. She was offered regular access to with dolphins, progressing from helping with their feeding to eventual free swims with the dolphin pod. She seemed immediately to grasp the intent of this approach, and agreed. She soon established a very close relationship with one of the dolphins, Dickey, who was also an adolescent, and was especially responsive to her commands. They developed a strong bond of friendship. Though her behavior had always been considered bizarre, she managed to make positive contributions to life at the reef. When she was allowed daily swims with the dolphins, she and Dickey played and swam like intimate friends. Finally Tracy had found a place to belong in the reef community at Eliat.

Another interesting case involved an autistic eight-year old girl, who was brought to the reef from a camp for children brought there to work with the dolphins. Unlike the others, she was too afraid to swim in the open waters of the reef. Her treatments were carried out in the more restricted area of a platform float in the dolphin pool. She was allowed to feed the dolphins by tossing pieces of herring into the dolphin's mouth. She was helpful and calm as long as no water was splashed; she became hysterical when splashed. Though less her treatment was less successful then others, she learned to trust the dolphins and eventually was able to swim with them.

Supporters of dolphin assisted therapy find powerful support for their position in these case studies. Deeply troubled children seem to develop greater self-confidence and improved social skills. The critics of dolphin assisted therapy point out that there is no scientific proof of the effectiveness of this form of therapy. Additionally, keeping wild creatures in captivity for an unproven purpose denies them a significant part of their natural existence in the open seas, with their own kind.

Dolphin therapy: recreation or medicine?. March 28, 2000. November 27, 2000. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9803/28/dolphin.therapy/index.html
David & Diane Heyburn. Dolphin Assisted Therapy. November 27, 2000. http://www.ulst.ac.uk/papa/dolphin.html
Echolocation. 1996-200. November 27, 2000 http://www.zoomdinasaurs.com/subjects/whales/glossary/Echolocation.shtml
International Dolphin Watch: Introduction. 1999. November 27, 2000. http://www.idw.org/healing.html
Research. November 27, 2000. http://www.interspecies.org/dolphin.human/research
International Dolphin Watch: Introduction. 1999. November 27, 2000. http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Animals/wolgro38.htm
William Rossiter. What About Dolphin Assisted Therapy?. April 1998. November 27, 2000. http://elfi.com/csi98207.html

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The Dolphin Centre does not support Dolphin Assisted Therapy to the extent where dolphins are kept in captivity in order to assist in Therapy; we do however embrace the idea that interaction with dolphins could well be beneficial to humans. Although no scientific evidence exists, research has shown the positive effects that interacting with dolphins appears to have on humans.

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DOLPHIN THERAPY FOR AUTISM THROUGH COMMUNICATION

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DOLPHIN THERAPY FOR AUTISM THROUGH COMMUNICATION

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Benefits in communication :
1.Improved speech communication skills.
Communication skills improved by interaction with dolphin, autism patient will interact with dolphin speak to dolphin. They will share all the feelings and what their think.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175303709X457612

2.Improved language through DAT.
Materials used as adjuncts to therapy are typically present during a DAT session, including rubber balls or rings for eliciting motor responses, or flash cards depicting objects for language responses.
*DAT - Dolphin Assisted Therapy
http://researchautism.net/autism-interventions/our-evaluations-interventions/64/dolphin-therapy-and-autism?print=1

3.Children with autism began pronouncing words and expressions and communicating better in general.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aurt/2012/839792/

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The aim of the therapy is to increase sensory activities, programmes take place in a pool with captive or semi-captive dolphins and therapists who assist the children, children are asked to swim, touch, feed or pat the animals. Therapists work on specific areas such as speech, behaviours and motor skills, they customise programmes to the needs of the children.                                                                                          Dolphin therapy is not a cure but it can help alleviate some symptoms associated with children conditions by enhancing their healing process. Samples of blood were analysed before and after the therapy, results showed that after swimming with dolphins there is a change of hormones, endorphins and enzymes as well as T-cells, how this is possible is still not well understood. There is ongoing research in universities and dolphin research centres but the evidence that dolphin therapy works remains anecdotal.

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Dolphin Therapy - Henry Spink Foundation

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What is it? For the last decade dolphin therapy has been largely publicised by the media, who reported several successful case stories. Dolphin ...

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Roxanne Kremer, a dolphin researcher working in the Amazon with the fresh water dolphins, reports the following.Her mother had had severe angina (severe pain in the chest) and had two angioplasty procedures to expand the coronary vessels.Generally, the procedure relieves the angina.In her case, the angina remained.Roxanne took her mother to Dolphins Plus where she swam with Dreamer and 3 other female dolphins.At one point in the swim, Dreamer and the other dolphins put their beaks on her chest.With that action, the angina was gone, and at last report, this had persisted for at least 2 years.

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Experience first hand what it was like to introduce a child with autism to wild dolphins. Roberta Goodman recounts this miraculous moment in her life.

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Recently, a "clinical hypnotherapist" named Judith Simon Prager published an article in the Huffington Post entitled " Dolphin Assisted Therapy: Something Magical in the Waters." It was a classic mix of psycho-babble and bad science.

A former soap opera writer, Prager's therapeutic techniques include "regression to the womb and beyond." In her Huff Post piece, Prager describes her recent visit to the Curacao Dolphin Therapy and Research Center. Prager is convinced that dolphins have magical abilities to cure neurological disorders such as autism. She even describes a case in which dolphin therapy seems to be waking a child who has been in a coma for two years. Prager claims that scientists are on the verge of discovering the secrets behind these marine mammals' mysterious powers to heal the human body and mind. She is dead wrong.
The Claims
Fueled by feel-good media reports such as Prager's, dolphin therapy is a magnet for desperate parents who will pay whatever it takes to help their kids with disorders like autism and Down's syndrome. They flock in droves to the more than one hundred therapeutic Swim-With-Dolphins programs in the Florida Keys, Bali, Great Britain, Russia, the Bahamas, Australia, Israel, and Dubai, all of them hoping that, through some unknown force, these sleek creatures with Mona Lisa smiles will work their magic on broken minds and tormented souls. The claims made about the curative powers of dolphins are over the top: interacting with dolphins, it is said, can alleviate Down's syndrome, AIDS, cranial sacral disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, learning disorders, deafness, and now coma. Among their presumed healing mechanisms are bioenergy force fields, the high frequency clicks and grunts that dolphins use to communicate with each other, and even the ability to directly alter human brain waves.

The astronomer Carl Sagan wrote, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Prager's claims about dolphin magic are certainly extraordinary, but does the actual evidence rise to an equally extraordinary level? Not by a long shot.

Most of the claims that dolphins are medical miracle workers are based on anecdotes, self-reports, or poorly designed experiments conducted by researchers who have an economic interest in the results. (Interestingly, none of the references Prager cites are in peer-reviewed scientific journals). Placebo effects, wishful thinking, and simply having a new experience are more plausible explanations for the supposed improvements seen in dolphin therapy patients than hypothetical "bio-energy force fields." Think about it. In addition to hanging out with some of the most appealing creatures on Earth, you travel to beautiful places, spend time floating in tropical seas, and live in a supportive environment where your expectations for success are high.
The Scientific Evidence
How can we separate the true effects of the dolphins from all the other neat things that can happen during two weeks at dolphin camp? What, for instance, does the research really show about the effect of ultra high frequency dolphin sounds on handicapped children? A group of German researchers carefully observed sessions in which dolphins interacted with groups of mentally and physically handicapped kids in a Florida dolphin therapy program (their article). They found that most of the dolphins ignored the children, and there was not much ultrasonic dolphin talk going on. In fact, the children were exposed to an average of only ten seconds of dolphin ultrasounds during each session, not nearly enough to be beneficial. The researchers concluded that the kids would have been better off playing with dogs.

But what about the dolphins' purported ability to heal through good vibes, a healing smile, and those mysterious New Age force fields? Careful analyses of these claims have been conducted by several groups of researchers. Lori Marino and Scott Lilienfeld, research psychologists at Emory University, have evaluated the methods of the published studies on the effectiveness of dolphin therapy. (Their articles are here and here.) They found that none of them met even the minimal standards of medical clinical trials. Among the methodological problem were small sample sizes, inadequate control groups, inability to separate the effects of the dolphins from the effects of simply doing new things in pleasant environments, and researcher conflicts of interests. Marino and Lilienfeld concluded that there is no valid scientific evidence that dolphin therapy is an effective treatment for any of the disorders that its advocates claim. The same conclusion was also reached by another research group ( here.)
The Down Sides of Dolphin Therapy
In her article, Prager conveniently neglects to point out the risks and the costs of dolphin therapy. Dolphins can be aggressive, even to the kids they are supposed to be healing. A recent study ( here) found that half of over 400 people who worked professionally with marine mammals had suffered traumatic injuries, and that participants in dolphin therapy programs have been slapped, bitten, rammed (the latter resulting in a broken rib and a punctured lung). You can even contract skin diseases from these animal therapists.

In addition, there are the financial costs. In 2011, the standard two week treatment at the Curacao Dolphin Therapy and Research Center will set you back $7,350 (roughly $700 per hour of actual dolphin interaction). You will need to fork up $1,000 up front when you make your reservation and send them the remaining $6,350 at least 90 days before your session. Cancellations must be made three months before your session, and even then you forfeit your $1,000 deposit.
The Ethical Problem
Despite Prager's claims to the contrary, dolphin therapy raises pesky ethical issues. Prager chose to become a therapist. Dolphins do not. While the Curacao dolphins are born in captivity, in other countries they are usually captured in the wild, often in massive roundups. It is estimated that seven dolphins die for each one makes it to a cetacean Guantanamo where it will spend the rest of its life swimming circles in a concrete pool.

Do we have the right to capture intelligent animals with complex social lives and sophisticated communication systems and turn them into therapists for our damaged children? I suppose the practice could be justified if these animals really did possess special curative powers. But I would need rock solid evidence that dolphins can transform an isolated child with autism to a skilled communicator, or that a couple of hours of dolphin play could add fifteen points to the IQ of a girl with Down's Syndrome, or that dolphin electric fields could jolt the middle age depressive out of a debilitating funk.

Unfortunately, that evidence is about as solid as, err....the support for back-to-the-womb regression therapy.

* * * *

For more on the effects of animals on human health and happiness see this Animals and Us post.

For more on dolphin therapy, see my book Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard To Think Straight About Animals.

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Recently, a "clinical hypnotherapist" named Judith Simon Prager published an article in the Huffington Post entitled " Dolphin Assisted Therapy: Something Magical in the Waters." It was a classic mix of psycho-babble and bad science. A former soap opera writer, Prager's therapeutic techniques include "regression to the womb and beyond."

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1. Longer attention spans
2. Improved emotional control
3. Improved speech communication skills

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1. MUSZ (0196983530)
2. AMNA (0189593660)
3. HAZIQA (0147198040)