Recreational Therapy

There are so many more benefits of Recreational Therapy (RT).  In fact, the benefits are almost endless.  For more information and to download a more extensive list of the benefits of RT, (*Click Here*). (*link to PDF Sheet listing all Benefits of RT*)  Here are some of the many benefits of Recreational Therapy:

• Development & Improvement of Communication Skills
• Strengthened Friendships
• Refinement of Socialization Skills
• Development & Improvement of Appropriate Coping Skills
• Development & Improvement of Problem Solving & Decision Making Skills
• Enhanced Self Concept, Self Esteem & Self Confidence
• Improved Cognitive Skills
• Reinforcement of Academic & Daily Living Skills
• Development & Improvement of Motor Skills
• Development & Improvement of Parenting Skills
• Increased Self-Advocacy Skills
• Improvement of Physical Health
• Increased Overall Well-Being
• Successful Transition to Work & Community
• and More…

The simple answer is everyone! The person receiving Recreational Therapy (RT) services, his or her family, friends, coworkers and others can all benefit from RT.  People with and without disabilities or illnesses of all ages and ability levels are welcomed to participate in Recreational Therapy.  Research indicates that RT provides a variety of positive health outcomes for people who participate in RT.  For more information on the benefits of Recreational Therapy, please CLICK HERE (*Insert Link on Benefits of RT – PDF*)

People with the following challenges have benefited from participating in Recreational Therapy programs:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
• Other Learning Disabilities
• Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• Down Syndrome
• Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD)
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
• Anger Management
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Strokes
• Cancer
• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Youth At Risk
• Dementia and Memory Problems
• Substance Use and Abuse
• Other Mental Health issues
• Other Physical Illnesses
• Many Other Challenges

For additional information, to volunteer, donate, or schedule a session, email (*Insert Email Link Here*) Creekside Recreational Therapy & Wellness or call 252-349-0220.  Sessions can generally be scheduled within 10 business days.

It’s easy – just click here (*LINK* to form “I need RT”*) to let us know what services you are interested in and what you would like to gain from participating in Recreational Therapy (RT) services.  We will contact you soon and we look forward to being able to serve you.

In case you were wondering… No, we don’t play all day.  Many of us really enjoy our jobs, and a lot of what we do is fun, but there is a lot more to it.

A Recreational Therapist (RT), sometimes referred to as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS), works with individuals who have mental, physical, emotional and/or developmental disabilities.  We focus on that person’s strengths and interests, and use recreation and/or activities to improve or maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the people we serve.  Interventions used will reduce the effects of illness or disability and/or enable the person to improve their ability to function and become more independent.

Some examples of Recreational Therapy include: a Recreational Therapist may use a knitting activity to help a person increase fine motor skills.  Or the Recreational Therapist may help someone learn how to use an adapted fishing reel to empower them to continue to be involved in fishing.  Similarly, a Recreational Therapist may lead an anger management group to teach people how to learn more appropriate and effective ways to deal with the anger they experience, lead a reminiscence group to aid aging adults to cope with memory changes, or teach people who have physical challenges to overcome environmental barriers (stairs, curbs) in order access their community confidently and independently.  A Recreational Therapist may also use biofeedback, mindfulness, and/or deep breathing and relaxation techniques to help a person learn how to manage anxiety and stress.

• Animal Assisted Therapy (most often with Therapy Dogs or Horses)
• Adventure Based Therapy
• Biofeedback
• Coping Skills Education
• Horticulture
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
• Aromatherapy
• Communication and Social Skills Training
• Anger Management Techniques
• Humor
• Assertiveness Training
• Creative and Expressive Arts (including music, art, dance, drama, and others)
• Leisure Education
• Cooperative Games and Teambuilding Activities
• Physical Activity
• Psychoeducation
• Community Integration
• Recreation Skill Building
• Reminiscence
• Sensory Integration Therapy
• Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)
• Stress Management Techniques
• Therapeutic Touch
• Values Clarification
• and More…

Recreational Therapy (RT) can be practiced in clinical (hospital, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation center, doctor’s office), residential (group home, foster home, family home, nursing home, assisted living facility), and community (school, daycare, after school program, camp, recreation and parks program, etc.) settings. 

The quick answer is that it’s not.  The terms “Recreational Therapy” and “Therapeutic Recreation” are often used interchangeably, although there are a few differences.

Recreational Therapy (RT) improves people’s ability to function and be independent by focusing on strengths, promoting health and wellness, and reducing the challenges, limitations, and restrictions people face.  RT is usually more clinical in nature.  That means it is usually is provided in more structured settings, like a hospital, outpatient clinic, mental health unit/clinic/hospital, nursing home, assisted living center, rehabilitation or therapy center, etc.

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is usually provided in more community-based settings, like schools, daycares, after school programs, camps, recreation and parks programs, etc.  TR uses treatment, education, and recreation services to help people with disabilities, health challenges, and/or other struggles to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, growth, development, independence, well-being, quality of life, and promote wellness in their families.  The main purpose of recreation services is to provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to promote inclusion (either in adaptive programs or in programs with their neuro-typical/typically developing peers), improve health and well-being.

TR can be provided in schools and is listed as Recreation under “Related Services” in IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).  This was passed by the United States Congress in 1990.  The goal of IDEA is to provide children with disabilities the same opportunities for education as other typically developing (non-disabled) students.

Recreational Therapy (RT) is provided by qualified professionals know as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS). Requirements to be become a CTRS include a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university, a formal clinical internship, and passing a national competency exam. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) oversees the credentialing process. Several states also require Recreational Therapists to be licensed within their states.

In North Carolina, “Recreational Therapist” and the initials, “LRT,” also designate individuals who have been granted a license from the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure.  Individuals who use the credentials, “LRT/CTRS,” are licensed by the North Carolina Board of RT Licensure and certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).  Minimum requirements to become licensed include: a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or a Recreation degree with an emphasis in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation, an internship under a licensed LRT (or CTRS if outside North Carolina) and a satisfactory score on a certification exam.  Recreational Therapists also need to complete continuing education in order to renew their certifications and licenses.

What is IDEA?

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is considered a Related Service of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It should be noted, that if Therapeutic Recreation as a related service is part of the child’s Individual Education Program (IEP), the school district must provide the services listed or the IEP must be amended.

Going to school and getting an education is every child’s right. This is true for children with disabilities as well. They have the right to go to school and to learn academic and social skills in ways that meet their special needs.

To make sure that children with disabilities have these rights, Congress initially passed a law in 1975 known as (Public Law) P.L.94-142. This law required that all states (and territories) provide a public school education to children, ages 3 to 21, (unless state law or practice does not provide for public school services for children 3-5 or 18-21), no matter how severe their disabilities are. This law has been changed to P.L.101-476, under which all children with disabilities have the right to learn to the best of their abilities. The most recent amendment to this law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2019. Under this legislation, all children with disabilities, ages birth-21, are to receive free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

There are six main portions of IDEA:  Individualized Education Program (IEP), Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Appropriate Evaluation, Parent and Teacher Participation, and Procedural Safeguards.

There are several basic rights that this law promises to children with disabilities and their parents:

• The right to an educational placement that is based on an assessment and evaluation of each child’s own special needs
• The right to a “free, appropriate public education” at public expense (in some cases, this may include placing a child in a private school)
• Prior to an initial evaluation being administered to their child, parents must be provided with a written notice, describing the proposed action and voluntarily give their consent for the evaluation
• Parents are entitled to receive an explanation of all evaluation results and an explanation of any actions proposed or rejected in regard to evaluation results
• Parents have the fight to request an independent evaluation (conducted by someone not employed by the school) and have the results considered in discussions regarding the school placement of their child
• The fight for children with disabilities to receive teaching or instruction that is designed to meet their needs; these needs are to be clearly written and included in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each child, with statements about what services the child will receive
• The fight to a full range of educational services that may include related services such as counseling, special transportation, speech language therapy, or occupational or physical therapy
• The fight for parents (or guardians) to be included as equal partners in making decisions about their child’s educational needs and to approve the educational plans for their child
• Parents have the fight to request an impartial hearing (Due Process Hearing) at any time when they disagree with the proposed procedures for evaluation and/or placement of their child. At the hearing they may have legal counsel, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and obtain written findings of the proceedings. If they are deaf or normally communicate in a language other than English, the hearing must be conducted so that all communication is completely understandable to them.

Finally, IDEA requires that children with disabilities be educated in the “Least Restrictive Environment” (LRE), that is, in the most normal school setting possible, with special help provided.

What does “Related Service” mean & What does it include?

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) can be provided in schools and is listed as Recreation under “Related Services” in IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which enhances the educational goals of a child with a disability.  This was passed by the United States Congress in 1990.  The goal of IDEA is to provide children with disabilities the same opportunities for education as other typically developing (non-disabled) students.  Recreation in schools and community agencies involves the provision of TR services that facilitate the full participation of children and youth with disabilities in school and community programs. TR uses treatment, education, and recreation services to help people with disabilities, health challenges, and/or other struggles to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, growth, development, independence, well-being, quality of life, and promote wellness in their families.  The main purpose of recreation services is to provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to promote inclusion (either in adaptive programs or in programs with their neuro-typical/typically developing peers), improve health and well-being.

If Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation is included in a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), it cannot be completed by a curricular service such as special education or physical education.  Recreation should be provided by a trained Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).  The actual role of the CTRS varies dependent on the actual school in which he/she is employed.  Generally, the CTRS serves as a direct service deliverer and/or as a consultant depending on the needs of the students.

The term “related services,” as defined by IDEA, means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services (including speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, school nurse services designed to enable a child with a disability to receive a free appropriate public education as described in the individualized education program of the child, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services, except that such medical services shall be for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only) as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children (Section 1401 (26) (A) – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2019).

Under IDEA, Recreation as a related service includes:

Assessment of Recreation and Leisure Functioning

Assessment of recreation and leisure functioning is a procedure to determine the current functional strengths and needs of students with disabilities in terms of skills, abilities, and attitudes relative to recreation and leisure.

Leisure Education

Leisure education provides students with recreational and educational instruction to promote positive attitudes toward leisure, recognition of the benefits of recreation involvement, the development of skills necessary for recreation participation (such as social, decision making, and planning skills), knowledge of recreation resources, and attitudes and skills that facilitate independent, satisfying leisure experiences.

Therapeutic Recreation

Therapeutic recreation is the use of recreation activities to habilitate or rehabilitate functional abilities, which contribute to behavioral change. ‘Therapeutic recreation is a process involving assessment, development of goals and objectives, and the implementation, documentation, and evaluation of intervention strategies.

Recreation in Schools and Community Agencies

Recreation in schools and community agencies involves the provision of recreation services that facilitate the full participation of children and youths with disabilities in school and community programs. Activities are used to promote health, growth, development, and independence through self-rewarding leisure pursuits.

For more information about what else can be considered under “Related Services” in IDEA:  https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-i/1401/26/A

For more information about who qualifies for assistance under IDEA:  https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/a/300.8

How to include Recreation (and Therapeutic Recreation) in your child’s IEP?

Review the educational goals that were developed for your child, as well as the services that your child receives (as identified in your child’s current Individual Education Plan or IEP).  If you decide that Recreation (and Therapeutic Recreation) are necessary to aid in your child’s growth, development, and goal achievement, then contact your child’s teacher and schedule a time to meet with him or her to discuss including it in your child’s IEP.   Be sure to note that Therapeutic recreation is the use of recreation activities to habilitate or rehabilitate functional abilities, which contribute to behavioral change. ‘Therapeutic recreation is a process involving assessment, development of goals and objectives, and the implementation, documentation, and evaluation of intervention strategies.  Therapeutic Recreation will help your child to learn and develop functional skills that will assist in changing his or her undesirable behaviors.