Finding Leisure
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Definition
Awareness
Skills Learning & Rehearsal
Self-Determination
Benefits
Overcoming Barriers
Therapeutic Recreation Services
Settings
Activity
Settings
School
Please refer to Your Child’s Rights for school-related disability legislation. If your child has been identified as having a disability, chances are he or she is receiving school services as outlined in an Individualized Education Program plan (IEP). The IEP is one of many requirements public schools must address in order to meet the mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (and amendments) of 1997 (IDEA). As a part of this comprehensive law, your child may also be eligible to receive leisure and recreation program services, including leisure education.According to the legislation, the IEP must include for the child: "special education, related services, supplementary aids and services, program modifications and supports for school personnel to allow the child to advance toward attaining annual goals, be involved and progress in the general curriculum, and participate in extracurricular and other nonacademic activities and participate with other children."
According to the IDEA final regulations, Recreation as a Related Service includes:
- Assessment of Recreation and Leisure Functioning
- Leisure Education
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Recreation in Schools and Community Agencies
A comprehensive leisure education program would include elements from each of the above service areas.
Recreational activities and other aspects of the leisure education program are usually provided by schools either during the school day or in after-school programs such as athletic teams, clubs, community service groups, and within community settings like parks, playgrounds, community centers, and amusement centers.
You as a parent have the right to request and schools can hire, at their expense a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), if not currently employed by them, as a consultant to assess the child’s leisure interests and skills, develop program goals and objectives, implement these programs themselves, or provide leadership and direction to other school personnel, who implement aspects of the leisure education program.
In order to meet IEP goals and objectives, schools may be able to provide additional support staff, assistive technology, transportation, and financial support.
Community
In nearly every city and town across the country, organized parks and recreation programs have been designed and offered that afford all children opportunities for play and fun. Recreation providers take various approaches to addressing the needs of its community members who have disabilities. Recreation service delivery has been approached in these four ways.-
Noninvolvement
This is when society fails to meet the basic leisure needs of its citizens with disabilities. Segregated or Specialized
Providers will group individuals with disabilities together, often according to their disability. Examples include: wheelchair sports leagues, summer camps for children with developmental disabilities, social clubs for people who are deaf, Friday night dances for people with cognitive impairments, or Saturday morning crafts clubs for kids with autism spectrum disorder.Integrated
This approach incorporates a more systematic and coordinated process for involving people with disabilities into recreation programs and settings that also include people without disabilities. Many communities have TR departments or employ staff with a TR background to implement these programs.Inclusive
Inclusive options are those that allow all community members, regardless of ability level, to freely access and participate in the leisure experience of their choice. People can determine what they want to do for fun - accounting for personal skills, interests, and resources - then enroll, register, or just show up, then participate. No more effort is expended than the average person. Agencies may require 24 hours or more notice to provide an interpreter. For additional information on inclusion, please refer to "What is Inclusion?" for more about inclusive services.
For additional information on community recreation, please refer to "Your Child’s Rights" for community related disability legislation and "Questions for Recreation Providers" to best accommodate your child’s specific needs when participating in community recreation.
Family
Families play a critical role in the leisure lifestyle development of their children. What children learn to do for fun, particularly in their early years, is often a direct reflection of the values and preferences of the parents and other family members. Parents want their children to pursue healthful alternatives. Participating in leisure activities as a family is the time when your values about leisure and appropriate and meaningful use of free time are shared and solidified. Eventually, your child will eventually develop a "leisure personality" of his or her own in time. The influence of peers, as well as what’s presented in the media, will impact your child’s perception of what’s 'fun' soon enough! However, times spent together in the child’s early years will help build strong and lasting memories that will always be there for families to cherish and enjoy.
Families can grow closer together through enjoying recreational activities together.
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Copyright 2006 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.