ADAPTING FORALL

A well-planned therapeutic recreation approach is key to helping participants of all abilities make the most of your programs and services.

By Megan Gosch, Pernsteiner Creative Group

“Creating spaces where everyone feels comfortable and can truly take part in the activities that connect them with their community or allow them to connect with nature; that’s why we’re here,” says Erin Bonikowske, adaptive recreation specialist for the City of Brooklyn Park. “But we have to consider, what does it mean to make our work genuinely inclusive for everyone?”

With a Masters of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, an extensive background in therapeutic recreation as well as being a certified therapeutic recreation specialist, Bonikowske fills what is sometimes a rare role in recreation departments. She works with program planners across her organization to ensure each activity is accessible to participants with developmental or cognitive disabilities, inclusion support needs and more. “When it comes to adapting our programs and services for more traditionally visible needs like a physical disability or injury, our field has come a long way, but what about everyone else? How are you making your programs more accessible for those with a hearing impairment? Or someone with a developmental disability? Or someone prone to sensory overload? If we’re not making space for all kinds of abilities, someone’s getting left out and we’ve missed the mark,” she says.

Recreation programmers may already be wellversed in the accessibility standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or have previous experience modifying programs for a specific age group – the principles of therapeutic recreation (TR) take that adaptive mindset a step further, going beyond rules and regulations by providing the tools to plan holistically for individual needs.

“Therapeutic recreation is all about breaking down the barriers that can keep someone on the sidelines,” says Bonikowske. “And the impact of adapting for those unique abilities goes far beyond physical health. It’s what keeps someone connected to their community, prevents them from being isolated, helps them find a fulfilling hobby that brings them joy — it’s an approach that has the power to improve quality of life and well-being.”

So, how can your team put therapeutic recreation principles into practice to make an impact?

While your agency may not have budgeted for a full-time adaptive specialist like Bonikowske, some key tips, trends and trainings can get you started. The Great Lakes ADA Center has a toll free number (800-949-4232) you can call for free advice or questions about the ADA. In addition, ADA Foundations has a great course to learn the basic understanding of the ADA.

Putting Therapeutic Recreation Into Practice

Like Bonikowske, Lisa Lamey, the activity center manager at The Rookery Activity Center in Lino Lakes, works hand in hand with her team to build out programming that best fits the needs of the community her facility serves, ensuring accessibility remains top of mind. Both individuals share how their teams are harnessinging therapeutic recreation principles to provide more inclusive community support and evolving to incorporate trends they’ve seen in their communities.

Adapting in Action

Accommodating for All Ages

After an early pandemic closure as a YMCA facility, The Rookery reopened under city leadership just over a year ago and Lamey’s team has been actively growing and testing the center’s programming with community feedback in mind. One step that’s proved to be pivotal? Analyzing and understanding the demographics of the community her team serves.

“When we dug into our member data, we found that nearly half of the community members seeking out our services are seniors,” says Lamey. “They want to stay active, socialize, enjoy new hobbies, and our center’s programs are how they hope to do that. That gave us a clear indicator of how we can better tailor our programs and the use

of our facilities for the resources they need.”

From a senior-focused cardio endurance class that incorporates chairs and tubes for key support, to the hosting of weekly mahjong games, Lamey’s team intentionally builds out programs that are enriching and accessible for older groups.

A Tool Kit of Adaptive Skills

Bonikowske’s team in Brooklyn Park has built out a full range of tools, devices and resources that staff can utilize when helping a participant cope with sensory overload, navigate a transition from one activity to the next, understand activity instructions, and more.

Her departmet’s toolkit includes:

• Waterproof Picture-based schedule to help participants creative cognitive connections to easy activity, increase language skills, and more. Waterproof picture schedules are available for swimming lessons.

• Weighted blankets and vests to help calm and soothe

• Sensory fidget devices to help participants focus and process new information

• Pocket Talker hearing amplifiers for those needing hearing assistance

• Portable accessible pathways that can be moved and incorporated wherever needed

• Sensory bins containing fidgets, noise-cancelling headphones and more, available for all recreation programs and check-out for community events

• Sensory corners that have been constructed as calming spaces where a participant can find a quiet retreat if experiencing a sensory or social overload

“All of these tools are available and on-hand for instructors to pull from whenever needed to ensure our participants feel comfortable engaging or taking space wherever needed,” says Bonikowske.

What’s in a Name?

What exactly is therapeutic recreation?

Therapeutic recreation, also known as, recreational therapy is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being. – As defined by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association

The definition for therapeutic recreation may seem simple enough, but there’s more than meets the eye. The terms “therapeutic recreation” and “recreation therapy” may seem interchangeable, but for professionals working in adaptive spaces, each phrase comes with its own meaning and philosophical approach.

“Usually recreation therapy is considered in the same vein as physical therapy or occupational therapy or speech therapy. It’s approached as a medical specialty and may use words like ‘prescribe’ and ‘to treat,’ says Jim Wise, Ph.D. and therapeutic recreation facilitator at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

“Therapeutic rec is all about improving quality of life and wellbeing,” Wise says,” but the particular modality being used is leisure and recreation.”

While the phrasing may differ, Wise notes that both philosophies share the same goal. “It’s all about recognizing differing abilities to help foster participation, community connection and improved overall wellbeing.” wsbeng.com