REC 205 Therapeutic Recreation with Special Populations

Day/Time:	Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Location:	Spoelhof Center 322
Instructor:	Youngkhill Lee, Ph.D., CTRS
Office Phone Number:	616-526-6030
Office Location:	SP 229
E-mail & Web addresses:	yL33@calvin.edu; http://www.calvin.edu/~yl33/
Office Hours:	Mon: 1:30 - 3:00 PM; Wed. & Fri.: 2- 4 PM;
	Additional times may be available if needed.

 

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a general orientation to therapeutic recreation and its role in serving the needs of persons with varying abilities. The etiology, characteristics and considerations for treatment of a wide range of common diseases and disorders are reviewed and discussed. Practical application and adaptations for serving the recreation and leisure needs of persons with disabilities will be made.

II. EXPANDED COURSE DESCRIPTION/OUTLINE:

I. Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, each student should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of the therapeutic recreation profession and, more specifically, the therapeutic recreation specialist in clinical and community settings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the medical terms and abbreviations used in health care and human service settings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the origin, characteristics, and lifestyle implications for diseases and disabilities of persons with special needs who are served by therapeutic recreation programs in clinical and community settings.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the adaptations used to meet the leisure needs, interests, abilities, and challenges of persons with special needs.

II.    Texts:

• Carter, M., Van Andel, G., & Robb, G. (2003). Therapeutic recreation: A practical approach. Chicago, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Burlingame, J., Skalko, T.K. (2001). Idyll Arbor’s glossary for therapists. Ravensdale, WA: Idyll Arbor, Inc.

III.  REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS:

A. Course Participation: Complete all assigned readings and make active participation in class discussions/activities (requires no more than 2 absences for the semester to get full credit).         

 

B.  Interview Project                                                                                          

Each student will interview a TR professional. All of the experiences will result in a 5 page (double-space) paper summarizing the experience.

Visit a Therapeutic Recreation Program for a 2 hour observation period. This is an opportunity to see Therapeutic Recreation in action.  Conduct in-depth interview with a Therapeutic Recreation professional.  Choose a therapeutic recreation professional (person does not have to be certified) in an agency either in Grand Rapids or in your home town.  This can be a personal interview.  Ask the following questions:

1)     How would you describe the agency and its programs?

2)     How many Therapeutic Recreation staff are there and what is their training and experiential background?

3)     How does therapeutic recreation fit into the overall agency?

        Are there other disciplines that the TR works with such as PT or OT, etc.?

4)     What steps are taken to develop programs?

5)     What steps are taken to develop individual program plans?

6)     How is documentation done in their agency?

7)     How do they assure the quality of their services?

After the interview is over, a 5 page paper will be written which will include these questions and answers and a section describing your reaction to the interview. 

• Letters (Mandatory; no letter, no grade): Students are to develop two letters to the practitioner who agreed to participate in your project.  Letter 1 is a brief thank you note for agreeing to participate in the project.  Letter 2 is a second thank you note (or card) for participating in the project.  If you choose to use thank you card, you must make a copy of the card (both side).

C.      Service Learning (See Appendix                                                                                              

I. Introduction

 

Each student will be assigned a CLC student or will volunteer with a local agency to work with an alternative client(s) for the semester. You will be expected to meet with this person/group on a weekly basis similar to a Big Brother/Big Sister program.

 

II. Expectations

• Meet with the student/client at least twice per week or a minimum of 2 hours per week to engage in a planned activity.
• Develop a weekly journal (2 paragraphs per weekly journal) to summarize activities you engaged in and insights related to strengths and limitations of your client.

III. Student Goals/Outcomes

 

By the end of the semester, each student will be able to:

• Describe and understand the nature of the individual strengths and needs.
• Describe the nature of a therapeutic relationship and determine your personal strengths and limitations;

D.      Seven Quizzes (TBA)                                                          

E.      Final Exam (Last Day of Class)                                                                                          

IV. COURSE EVAUATION:

A range	90% or above
B range	80 to 89%
C range	70 to 79%
D range	60 to 69%
Not passing	59% or below

           

V.  COURSE OUTLINE:

 

A. Introduction to therapeutic recreation definitions, terms, and concepts.

B. Historical evolution of the profession

C. Overview of therapeutic recreation settings and practices

D. Understanding individuals with disabilities

• Created in the image of God
• Attitudes affecting interactions, relationships, and personhood
• Role of play and leisure in human development
• Barriers to participation

 

E. Legislation affecting therapeutic recreation services

• Legislation and professional practice
• Rehabilitation Acts and amendments, and other Acts
• Americans with Disabilities Act

 

F. Overview of services to individuals with disabilities (etiology, symptomatology, prognosis and treatment conditions, and disabilities across treatment settings)

 

1.     Individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological, and neuromuscular system impairments

• Functioning characteristics and needs
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention considerations
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

 

2.    Individuals with sensory and other hidden impairments (circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and metabolic)

• Functioning characteristics and needs
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention considerations
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

 

3.    Individuals with cognitive impairments

• Functioning characteristics and need
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention considerations
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

4.    Individuals with psychological impairments

• Functioning characteristics and need
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention consideration
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

5.    Individuals with social impairments

• Functioning characteristics and need
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention considerations
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

6.    Children in health care settings

• Functioning characteristics and need
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention consideration
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

 

7.    Elderly persons in health care settings

• Functioning characteristics and need
• Purpose of therapeutic recreation services
• Leadership and intervention considerations
• Key terms and concepts used in health care settings

 

G. Trends and Issues in therapeutic recreation service delivery

• Career options and choices
• Professional certification
• Trends in health care service delivery
• Design and access to programs and facilities
• Advocacy Activities and Organizations
• Model programs

 

Dept. of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance & Sport
3201 Burton SE. Grand Rapids, MI 49546   |   Calvin College   |   (616) 526-6000