Lesson 13: Therapeutic Recreation

 Introduction: 

Hi again Folks. This week you can learned a bit more about what Therapeutic Recreation is all about. Like normal we will have last week classmates resources (sports), things I found enlightening from this week lesson, resources I found, etc. Also for this week I may add a video that shares what is amazing about Therapeutic Recreation. It amazing, this week, and a half is the last of the semester. I hope what I been adding been insightful, and whose knows, I may add other things to this that I find insightful even after this class is over. It just won't be every week. I know this been rewarding for me and I hope the information I put in my blogs been rewarding for you. Enjoy!

Add all the tools and tricks you want to keep in your e-portfolio. 

Classmate Resources: 

• I added a website that Davin Lybbert had which is called "Equal Adventure" It is a community of providing adventures for those with disabilities. It gives each resources, training and other things so others programs can provide those opportunities within their community. http://www.equaladventure.org/?jubijuphcipi=c953a3a1

• Beth Horen added an powerful video about sports and disabilities that I HAD to add. It is called, "'All about ability'-How the Paralympic Movement is maintaining momentum" https://youtu.be/6RMOSDynkw8

Enlightening Things From this Week Lesson:

• You may wondered what the requirements in being a Recreation Therapeutic, well.. this is what this week was all about which is to follow. 

• Definition: American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), “the provision of Treatment Services and the provision of Recreation Services to persons with illnesses or disabling conditions. The primary purposes of Treatment Services, which are often referred to as Recreational Therapy, are to restore, remediate or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability.  

• Purpose of Recreational Services: are to provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to improve health and well being. Therapeutic recreation is provided by professionals who are trained and certified, registered and/or licensed to provide therapeutic recreation (1987).” National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), a branch of the National Recreation and Park Association, “Therapeutic recreation uses treatment, education and recreation services to help people with illnesses, disabilities and other conditions to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, functional abilities, independence and quality of life."
   
•  Job Settings: Hospitals, Long term care facilities and nursing homes, Community recreation centers, Schools, Camps, Wilderness programs, Drug and alcohol rehabilitation, Mental health facilities, acute and residential, Correction centers, Group homes, Senior centers, Veterans administration hospitals, Retirement communities, and Home healthcare and outpatient services. 
• Career Path:    

          1. Recreation Degree Requirements

          2.  Electives: RM 370, RM 471, RM 472, and RM 473

          3. Cluster 1: Anatomy & Physiology: BIO 264 and 264 + 4 additional credits

          4. Cluster 2: Psychology: Psych 111, 201 and 342 + 3 additional credits

          5. Internship: 600 hours at under a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

          6. NCTRC Exam: National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification

•  Therapeutic Recreation Process:
   1. Assessment: Identify Clients needs; physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual
   2. Planning: Determine client’s goals and objectives; functional intervention, leisure education, recreation participation
   3. Intervention: Facilitate the group or the activity
  4. Evaluation: Determine progress of the client and benefit of the program.
   
• What are the outcomes of recreational therapy? Improvement in physical health status, psychosocial status, cognitive status, and life, recreation, and community activities.

• Where is recreational therapy headed in the future?According to the US Department of Labor, “The rapidly growing number of older adults is expected to spur job growth for recreational therapy professionals and paraprofessionals in assisted-living facilities, adult daycare programs, and other social assistance agencies. Continued growth also is expected in community residential care facilities, as was daycare programs for individuals with disabilities.”References: ATRA Website and NTRS Website

•  Examples of Work (Illustrative Only): 1. Plans and supervises therapeutic recreation activities at recreation centers, parks or various facilities in the community. 2.Registers participants in classes and programs using CLASS registration software, and maintains computer class registrations. 3. Plans, facilitates and evaluates therapeutic recreation programs and classes on a semester basis for a specific population area. 4. Supervises therapeutic recreation support staff, instructors and volunteers. 5. Works with individuals with disabilities in the program to provide support as needed. 6.Plans & Supervises daily operations of summer day camp for children with developmental disabilities 7. Supervises interns according to NCTRC guidelines (if a CTRS) 8. Procures and maintains for equipment, supplies, and materials. 9. Assists in the development, planning, and promotion of Therapeutic Recreation special events, programs and activities. 10. Prepares reports and statistics as needed. 11. Performs a variety of routine clerical tasks. 12.Drives a van to transport program participants and operates a wheelchair lift 
  Resources I found:   
   
•  I found this video about what Recreation Therapy is all about and why Major in it. It is called, "Why major in Therapeutic Recreation?" https://youtu.be/4dqR1GEwg78

Conclusion:  I hoped you enjoyed this as much as I do, and hope you would consider to have your major as Therapeutic Recreation. It is a growing Career and through the ways I have volunteer throughout this semester, what I do is rewarding and fun. It not all fun and games, but it so worth it and you can make an huge differences in others lives. Before I close off this blog, I wanted to add a video we were supposed to watch for this lesson that I thought you would enjoy as well. It is called, "A Description of Therapeutic Recreation" Here is the link! You will be glad you watch it. I promised you. It is about not giving up, giving your daughter, mother, niece, aunt, or grandma hope for better days. https://youtu.be/1XJD5XDihhY  . There one more I just had to add, and just will just be a linked. See what it is. https://youtu.be/nZ0ELRWkdPA  It is an beautiful video with people with disabilities and mental illness doing amazing things. How they are amazing, heroes, and not broken.