Over the last several years there has been a call to increase the quality of recreational therapy (RT) education. During this same time active learning has grown in popularity as a way to help increase student comprehension. While the vast majority of this growth has occurred in science, technology, engineering and math courses, no research has…

Background: Participation in adventure as a recreational therapy intervention is well-recognized for its benefits for people with disabilities. Advances in technology and adaptive equipment have increased accessibility to adventure-based activities for those with physical disabilities. Climbing has long been established to facilitate the…

Creative arts and performance courses at the community level for mature age individuals. Theatre and drama as education and as therapy. This article charts and reflects on several ACE arts-based courses and community theatre productions that have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the professional experiences of the teacher. Change for…

Approximately 85% of children with autism spectrum disorder from the SPARK study receiving standard interventions such as speech-language and occupational therapies. In contrast, only 32%-13% of children with autism spectrum disorder received movement therapies such as physical and recreational therapies, respectively. Little is known about how…

Although in-vivo behavioral skills training (BST) is often effective, it may be too resource-intensive for organizations that rely on volunteers. Alternatives to in-vivo BST include video models or interactive computer training (ICT), but the utility of these procedures for training volunteers remains largely unknown. We used a randomized control…

This paper discusses use of a scaffolded videomaking assignment to encourage students to engage with new literacies -- creation of media that blends text, sound, and imagery -- to expand the range through which students demonstrate knowledge and application of philosophical concepts in everyday Therapeutic Recreation (TR) practice. Technology is…

Background: Wilderness therapy (WT) has become a popular method of intervention with youth residing in residential facilities (RFs), and an important part of their treatment plan. Thus, the dual positioning and role of RF staff members - who both accompany participants on the WT journey and, at the same time, participate in their on-site, daily…

Purpose: This study looks at how poetry affects students' emotional well-being, assesses its potential as a therapeutic tool and explores how poetry can enhance students' participation and engagement in a Bangladeshi classroom. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative case study approach was used. Data sources included six semi-structured…

Almost 10% of American youth are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While not a learning disability, this diagnosis results in youth being labeled academically "at-risk." While equine assisted services (EAS) promote an emotionally safe learning environment for at-risk youth, program availability is limited.…

Accreditation is a critical process in maintaining standards of consistency and excellence in the academic preparation of students for their chosen profession. While academic programs, professional associations, and credentialing organizations all recognize the importance of programmatic accreditation in recreational therapy professional…

Background: A variety of residential and experiential therapeutic programs exist for youth who experience emotional, behavioral, or substance abuse problems that are not adequately responsive to traditional treatment options. While evaluations of programs are available in the literature, investigation of the experiences of professionals who…

Additive bilingualism has long been reported as a benefit of immersion education. Nevertheless, the suitability of this form of education and bilingualism for children with special educational needs (SEN) has been much debated. Recent studies show that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specific speech and language disorder (SSLD), and…

Many adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience challenges in social competence. Evidence suggests that specialized summer camps with social skills training may have positive outcomes on social competence development in adolescents with ADHD. This article reports on a pilot study of a therapeutic summer camp…

Teaching mindfulness meditation at school has been advocated by educational researchers and practitioners in order to proactively target the well-being of young people. By conceptualizing mindfulness meditation as a technology of the self, in Foucauldian terms, this article considers the ideological implications of implementing mindfulness…

This qualitative study was designed to understand parents' perceptions of their children's participation in an inclusive surf therapy programme in the United States. Ten parents and one caregiver were interviewed about theirs and their children's experience in the surf programme. Parent discussions centred on the child, parent/caregiver,…