Reviews literature on the concept and practice of clinical reasoning, presenting evidence of clinical reasoning in a therapeutic recreation setting. Data from observations of and interviews with recreation therapists and clients in a Canadian rehabilitation hospital provided evidence of therapists' clinical reasoning practices which supported the…

Examined the extent to which schools were utilizing therapeutic recreation as a related service. Surveys of recreation therapists indicated they were employed by public school systems, primarily worked with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities or multiple disabilities in self-contained classrooms, mainly provided leisure education,…

Describes the Health Protection/Health Promotion Model of therapeutic recreation, highlighting its underlying concepts: the humanistic perspective, high-level wellness, the stabilization and actualization tendencies, and health. Describes components of the model (prescribed activities, recreation, and leisure), discusses utilization of the model…

Determined whether therapeutic recreation intervention was necessary in the lives of adolescents with endocrinological disorders, examining their leisure behavior patterns and experiences. Survey data indicated that leisure behaviors and experiences of adolescents with endocrinological disorders were similar to those of comparison group…

With a working definition of rehabilitation, the author assesses the therapeutic recreation program at a psychiatric hospital to determine whether it enabled psychiatric day patients to overcome social disabilities and make a full return to community life. (SK)

Discusses the implications of the rapid, dramatic changes taking place in therapeutic recreation for individuals with physical disabilities. The article notes the impact of changes in managed care, examines programming trends in therapeutic recreation (adventure/outdoor education, competitive sports, handcycling, health enhancement activities, and…

Through dynamic aquatic stabilization techniques, patients will develop the ability to characterize sensory distractions and develop self-awareness and sensitivity to movement in the water, which will relate directly to improved motor function. Aquatic therapy is a systematic method of treatment, with programs developed by a licensed physical…

Examines the current status of therapeutic recreation education, documenting changes have that occurred over 30 years. Using data from surveys conducted every 10 years beginning in 1969, the study provides information on trends in programs, faculty, students, curriculum accreditation, and professional certification in programs in the United States…

Outlines the conceptual background and development of the Leisure Competence Measure, a behavior-anchored rating scale which documents current levels of leisure functioning and change over time. Validation with a geriatric rehabilitation population supports it as an instrument from which researchers can draw dependable inferences regarding leisure…

Therapeutic recreation professionals often use aquatic therapy to improve physiological and psychological functioning, and they have reported improvements for people with many different types of disabilities. The paper discusses aquatic therapy methods, water as a therapeutic environment, professional training and development, and lifestyle…

This paper describes the services and activities of the Orion Center, a drop-in day-use facility for homeless and runaway youth in Seattle (Washington). Orion Center uses experiential therapy and adventure-based activities to develop trust, promote fun and relationship building, and facilitate growth and healing among this homeless population. A…

Therapeutic recreation is important in treating substance abuse problems. It addresses attitudes and behaviors leading to substance abuse (inability to experience pleasure or control). It encourages participation in activities that help abusers cope and obtain enjoyable states, reducing reliance on drugs. The article discusses the theory of flow…

Right to leisure is considered an appropriate moral mission for therapeutic recreation. The paper explores the right to leisure for individuals with disabilities, discussing a variety of documents and discourses. It notes the relevance and several implications of the right to leisure for therapeutic recreation in health care. (SM)

This publication contains the following articles: (1) "A Pilot Study of the Relationship between Co-Dependency and Recreation Using Women with Histories of Domestic Violence" (Pamela E. Foti and Lori S. Gelvin); (2) "Discretionary Time Use and the Chronically Mentally Ill" (Thomas K. Skalko); (3) "Therapeutic Recreation and Family Therapy: A Needs…

Assessed the outcome of a therapeutic horseback riding program for adults with physical disabilities. A one-group, pre- test/post-test design was used to evaluate changes on level of physical and global self-efficacy. Behavioral indices of self-confidence were also evaluated. Physical self-efficacy and behavioral self-confidence increased from…