What is Recreational Therapy?

Recreational Therapy (also known as TR or Therapeutic Recreation) is a medical treatment or medical modality that uses recreation, leisure education and various other resources to help the patients reach their physical, social, emotional, physiological and spiritual goals.  Recreational Therapy is one of the greatest ways to help increase the quality of life and the quality of care for someone with a disability at a time when he/she often believes their “life is over, because of my disability”.

As taken from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association at www.atra-tr.org 

“Recreational therapy embraces a definition of "health" which includes not only the absence of "illness", but extends to enhancement of physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure development so individuals may participate fully and independently in chosen life pursuits.”

Recreational Therapists usually have all received their Bachelors Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or in Park and Recreation with TR emphasis.  Classes to help prepare future Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists include Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Medical Assessment, Medical Terminology, and others.  All Recreational Therapists have taken a National Certification exam to prove his/ her proficiency in the profession.  After successful completion of the exam, only Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists are allowed to use the “CTRS” credentials.

What makes Recreational Therapy different from Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy?

To put it simply…..

Physical Therapists can help you learn to stand and walk.

Occupational Therapists help you learn your activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning, etc.)

Speech Therapists help you learn to think and speak.

&

Recreational Therapists teach you to live!!!!!!!

Typical patient goals usually may include:

-                     Increase appropriate social interaction skills

-                     Increase physical endurance

-                     Increase in awareness of resources or adaptive equipment

-                     Time management

-                     Money management

-                     Decreasing frustration tolerance

-                     Reducing impulsivity

-                     Increase gross and fine motor coordination

-                     Demonstrate awareness of safety skills within community and at home

-                     Increase active range of motion

-                     Decrease depression

How do you find more information on Recreational Therapy?

You can visit:

 http://www.atra-tr.org/careersinrt.htm

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/define.htm

 http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=866