RECREATION THERAPY & THE POWER OF PLAY
Ever think about the connection between health and recreation? Consider this: research supports that children cope better with being hospitalized when given the opportunity to play. Children, adolescents and people of all ages recovering from physical injuries, trauma, medically fragile states and disabilities recover more quickly and are more likely to maintain a functional and healthy lifestyle when given the opportunity to engage in therapeutic recreation and play during their hospitalization.
Recreation Therapy is an occupation that takes play and recreation very seriously. It is an established health profession that has a unique role in the health and human services delivery system. It is defined as a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participate in life situations caused by an illness, trauma or disabling condition.
Recreation Therapy is the clinical application of play, recreation, leisure, education and advocacy to empower people and to improve their quality of life in physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of living.
Benefits of Recreation Therapy may include the following;
- Reduce Depression, Stress & Anxiety
- Improve Physical Health Goals & Function
- Increase Coping Strategies and Skills
- Increase Problem Solving Skills
- Increase Attention Span, Impulse Control and Frustration Tolerance
- Increase Confidence & Self Esteem
- Develop Social Skills
- Increase Verbalizations
- Express Emotions Through Creativity
- Develop New Leisure Skills
- Educate Patients Regarding Leisure Resources & Accessibility in the Community
- Improve Quality of Life
Here at Totally Kids we like to have Fun Fun Fun!!! Many Recreation Therapy modalities and interventions are incorporated here to move our kids progressively forward in accomplishing their therapeutic goals. Our kids have a structured program of Recreation Therapy Groups & Therapeutic Activities some of which are; Creative and Exploratory Sensory Play i.e. Water Tray Play & Sand Tray, Creative Expressions Group-Art, Music, Movement and Horticultural Activities as well as Relaxation Training, Social Skills Development, Leisure Skills, Gross Motor Enhancement, Sensory Integration, Pet Therapy and Community Resource Outings when appropriate. All activities are designed to be age appropriate, and in our community settings such as the Activities Room and Garden Areas of the Hospital. In addition participation of family members is always encouraged & welcomed!