What is Therapeutic Recreation?

By: Allison Cole

Therapeutic Recreation is…

• Therapeutic Recreation is the provision of recreation, leisure, and treatment services that help a variety of different people to learn, grow, and adapt in their own environment while enhancing one’s health, quality of life, and functional abilities.

(Cole, 2008)

Who?•Children•Youth at Risk•Adults•Seniors•People with various disabilities

-physical-social-emotional-behavioral

•People recovering from severe injuries

TR Services•Leisure Education•Puzzles•Cooking•Sports

•adaptive•inclusive

•Card Games•Arts and Crafts•Camps•Trips•Dance

•Sensory Activities•Writing•Computer Games•Dining Out•Music•Nutrition and Fitness•Pets•Special Olympics•Groups

Where is TR?• Hospitals• Nursing Homes• Residential Facilities• Schools• Special Recreation Associations• Veterans Administrations• Detention Centers• Homeless Shelters• Many more…

Outcomes from TR•Friendships•Communication Skills•Cognitive skills•Memory•Coordination•Teamwork•Professionalism•Organization

•Growth and Fine Motor Skills•Independence•Mobility•Control of Emotions•Attention•Participation•Less Anxiety

Before Therapeutic Recreation...•Jacob•Age 15•Started with TR at age 9•Physically and verbally aggressive•Restrained often•Could not be around other children•Involved in summer camps, Special Olympics, and different social groups

After Therapeutic Recreation…

• Helps the counselors• Tries to teach the younger kids what to

do• More social and can be around other

people• Still has occasional outbursts, but is

overall calmer than he was• Works with his aide to control his

outbursts

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists

• Requirements• Bachelor’s Degree in TR• Pass the NCTRC exam• Complete required coursework• Complete 480 hour internship• Recertified every 5 years• Need to stay educated in field for

recertification

“Therapeutic Recreation is not aboutlooking at the capabilities of the individuals but the abilities that

make that individual who they are.”(recreationtherapy.com)