To address the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions accreditation standard 7.01.01, the Entry Level Competency Assessment was developed to measure 46 competencies in four categories needed by entry level professionals. Students rated their competence prior to beginning their senior internship. The results…

Two experiments were conducted to increase the initiations and duration of social interactions between autistic and nonhandicapped youths. The youths generalized these social responses to other nonhandicapped peers in the same leisure setting. A second experiment trained a third autistic youth to emit similar social leisure skills. (Author/DB)

A case is made to emphasize the human and interpersonal aspects of leisure services curricula, instead of stressing specific techniques and knowledge that have a short marketable life. Research on motivation is reviewed. (Author/MT)

A social skills problem-solving intervention was used to teach social leisure skills to four adults with moderate levels of mental retardation. The intervention produced immediate positive changes in targeted social skills with all participants. They also generalized the use of the social skills to other settings. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Leisure counselling is defined as the systematic exploitation of a client's past, existing or prospective hobbies, activities and interests for broad psychotherapeutic purposes. It functions as a powerful agent in the invigoration of a range of existing but inadequate coping skills, and can also act in an innovatory style when such key skills are…

Advocates camp counseling as an excellent preparation for human services careers. Camp counseling offers (1) leisure services preparation; (2) leadership training; (3) collaborative skills; and (4) life experience. (KS)

This book is one in a series of four volumes presenting a functional curriculum for students with disabilities, and addresses the three areas of interpersonal competence, competitive job-finding, and leisure-time skills. The curriculum, although meant primarily for teachers functioning within a special setting, can also assist collaborative teams…

Examines the importance of leisure education to help older adults gain a leisurely lifestyle to enhance their quality of life. Leisure education helps them redefine recreation, enhance self-esteem, and increase health-promoting attitudes. It involves leisure awareness, social interaction skills development, increasing skills in leisure activities,…

Support from community recreation staff facilitates successful transition and integration of persons with disabilities from hospitals or schools to communities. Functional independence requires leisure activity skills, choice-making skills, social and friend-making skills, and support networks. The article examines research on integrated community…

Lists are provided of computer software for use by persons (elementary school through adult) with social learning deficits to increase competence in (1) personal and social awareness and skill; (2) business and career competencies; and (3) leisure time and sports activity, which often fosters human relations and communication skill. (VW)

Social interaction skills are an important part of leisure behavior. Many people with disabilities and/or illness lack adequate social interaction skills and require direct intervention. The article provides a background and explanation of social competence and a listing of commercially available resources for social skills intervention. (SM)

This study evaluated a leisure-education program with 19 adolescents and young adults with mild to moderate mental retardation. The program focused on developing leisure appreciation, self-determination and decision-making skills, social interactions and friendships, and leisure resources. Significant improvement in achievement of educational…

The need for a core curriculum for students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities, is evaluated. The curriculum's components include compensatory or functional academic skills, orientation and mobility, social interaction, independent living skills, recreation and leisure skills, career education, technology, and…

The merging of the earlier post-industrial era with the current period of high technology has given the contemporary American lifestyle a leisure orientation. It is generally accepted that the process of leisure education involves five component areas: leisure awareness, self-awareness, decision making, leisure skills, and social interaction. To…

This guide offers practical guidance for parents and practitioners working directly with children who have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Chapter 1 distinguishes between the two conditions, offers a practical definition of autism, and stresses the importance of individual differences. Chapter 2 is on identifying special needs in autism and notes…