Assessment

BatteriesTriangulationSocial Skills AssessmentEnvironment AssessmentStrengths-Based Assessment

Terms

Battery Several assessments used together

Triangulation Variety of assessment methods Variety of assessment data Variety of sources Interview, observation, self-report

Social Skills Assessment

Assessment of Social Skills for Therapeutic Recreation Intervention

Stumbo, 1994/95

Environment Assessment

Shank & Coyle, 2002 Individual can’t be understood

without examining environments “A person’s ability to function

effectively is often as much a reflection of his environment and supports as it is a reflection of his specific skills and deficits”

Selz, Bullock, & Mahon, 2000, p. 290

Principles of Strengths-Based Approach (Anderson, & Heyne, 2008)

Every individual, group, family, & community has strengths

Difficulties (illness, disability, etc.) are also sources of opportunity & challenge

Collaboration (not expert) with participants

Strengths can be nurtured (thus, must be assessed, planned, focused on)

Internal Strengths

Aspirations & goals Interests & preferences Talents Skills & competencies Knowledge Character strengths & virtues

External Strengths

Family support Social support, friends Community resources Home resources Opportunities for participation &

contributions

Strengths-Based Assessment

Strength Approach Focus on strengths Participant is

potential waiting to happen

Understanding strengths leads to understanding & creative ways for OofL

Focus on whole person in context of life

Deficit Approach Focus on problems Participant is viewed

as problem needing to be fixed

Understanding of problems may not lead to solutions or understanding

Focus is on deficits & remediation

Rationale for Strengths-Based Assessment

To get to know the person What is meaningful to person?

To develop a positive relationship with person & support system

To establish baseline To measure outcomes To focus on solutions, not on

problems

Rationale for Strengths-Based Assessment

The TR Specialist is the professional who can help people realize that what remains when they face disability & treatment is a life worth living

New Definition of Assessment

Assessment is a treasure hunt TR assessment is the systematic process

of learning about a person, his or her strengths, and his or her aspirations for recreation and well-being

Through assessment, collaborative planning about the person’s goals and dreams, leisure becomes possible

Assessment Techniques

Interviews Observations Test/inventories Record review

Sample Assessments

Quality of Life Interview Supports Intensity Scale Strength Discovery Assessment Home & Community Social Behavior

Scales Aspiration Index Signature Strengths Questionnaire

Sample Assessments

Leisure Diagnostic Battery Life Effectiveness Questionnaire Life Satisfaction Scale Quality of Life Profile Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Strengths-Based Assessment Sample

Focus on strengths vs. problems Looks at desires & resources

Daily living Financial/insurance Vocational/educational Social supports Health Leisure/recreation Spirituality