When planning activities for individuals supported, the Recreational Therapist must choose activities
that not only interest the individual supported, but activities that will also help contribute towards successfully
reaching goals and objectives. While we know you may not always be able to avoid meal times, going to a restaurant
as an entire session is prohibited. Activities might be planned for a single day, or, continuously, week after week as
designed programming. Generally, ongoing treatments are best. For example, if an athlete has a knee injury, he
or she might receive physical therapy three times per week until the injury is healed. Recreational Therapy
should be similar, as repetitive treatments provide lasting results. The Recreational Therapist will design and
implement programs for each individual supported. When planning programming, the Recreational Therapist
should consider the individual’s skills and the ideal environment(s) for the individual.
Assisted Independence provides the following group therapeutic recreation programs: adaptive
kayaking, adaptive cycling, primitive camping, and field tripping. Additional programs are under construction
and consideration. Program planning is an exciting time to be creative and to improve access to recreational
activities in order for individuals supported to grow in independence and enhance personal quality of life.
Programming options currently offered in communities may include 4-H, YMCA, local government parks and
recreation department, volunteer programs such as humane societies sites, fitness gyms, summer camps, and
any other recreational opportunities offered through public or private vendors. Refer to the Assisted
Independence Resource Guide for more information.
To summarize by example, the Recreational Therapist may accompany the individual supported with
ongoing visits to the public swimming pool for water exercise or Water Tai Chi. Or, the Recreational Therapist
may accompany the individual supported to an ongoing water exercise class or Water Tai Chi class, created in-house
or offered by a third-party, that might occur weekly for a set number of days, weeks, months, or years.
Typically, structured and scheduled, ongoing programming in Recreational Therapy delivery results in better
outcomes.