Recreational therapists, or therapeutic recreation specialists, use creative healing methods to help people with illnesses or disabilities become active again. They use arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings to help patients maintain or improve their physical or mental health.
Recreational therapists work with doctors, nurses , psychologists, social workers , physical therapists , and occupational therapists to care for patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Therapists provide different services for patients depending on where they work. They may use structured group activities or work individually with patients to develop physical or social skills through exercise, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun.
Some of the things they help their patients with include maintaining their physical, mental, and emotional well-being; reducing depression and anxiety; improving basic reasoning skills; and strengthening confidence. Recreational therapists are typically employed by hospitals, nursing homes, parks and recreation departments, community health centers, school districts, adult care programs, substance abuse centers, and correctional facilities.
Most recreational therapists work full time, Monday-Friday; though some people choose to be part time. Students interested in becoming a recreational therapist, should consider taking art, music, and psychology classes while in high school. Music therapy , art therapy , drama, and dance also all have positive effects on depression symptoms. Researchers believe the improvement may be linked to endorphins. These feel-good chemicals are released in your brain during physical movement, when you express yourself creatively, and during social interactions.
In one small study , for example, therapists interviewed older adults in a long-term care facility, asking them to select leisure activities based on their interests. After a structured program where the adults engaged in their chosen activities every week and did simple upper body exercises, they reported improved self-esteem compared with how they felt before starting the therapy program.
Illness, injury, and disability can limit your ability to interact with people. Recreational therapy provides opportunities to engage with other people in positive ways, which can counteract feelings of isolation. In one study , people with early dementia described feeling uplifted and accepted after participating in a recreational therapy program together.
In many cases, a serious injury can affect your ability to do routine tasks. Taking care of your home, exercising, playing with your children or grandchildren — these activities may be difficult or impossible after an injury. Recreational therapy can make a difference in the level of functional independence after a serious injury.
Recreational therapy for people with injuries is also associated with more social activity, greater involvement with sports or aquatic activities, and fewer pressure ulcers. Recreational therapy often includes exercise, games, dance, yoga, tai chi, and other kinds of movement.
A study found that this kind of recreational movement may help improve your balance, physical strength, and flexibility. In a study , 33 preschool children with autism spectrum disorder participated in an 8-week therapeutic program that focused on basketball.
At the end of the program, the students had improved speed, agility, and muscle strength, and showed improvements in their social communication skills. Research from shows that physical exercise, social engagement, and games that stimulate your brain such as bridge, chess , and memory challenges all improve the healthy functioning of your mind.
But research from suggests that physical activity, social relationships, and activities that challenge your thinking may all help maintain the healthy functioning of your brain.
Being treated in a hospital is a stressful, fearful experience for a child. According to a study , recreational therapy in a pediatric hospital may help reduce those negative feelings. This can be particularly important if a child visits hospitals repeatedly due to a chronic condition. Therapeutic play gives children opportunities to build positive relationships with hospital staff, to talk about their feelings, and to develop a sense of control and confidence at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable.
Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of the rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
They work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living. School counselors help students develop the academic and social skills needed to succeed in school. Career counselors help people choose careers and follow a path to employment. Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.
Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities.
They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities. Speech-language pathologists sometimes called speech therapists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson's disease, a cleft palate, or autism.
For more information and materials on careers and academic programs in recreational therapy, visit. American Therapeutic Recreation Association.
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U. Department of Labor. Toggle navigation. Find Jobs. Entry Level. Recreational Therapist - Centurion - Tiptonville, TN Responsibilities The Certified Recreational Therapist provides rehabilitative programs and services through appropriate patient assessment, service planning, therapeutic activities, discharge See all Recreational Therapist jobs.
Recreational Therapist Work Schedules Most recreational therapists work full time. Job Outlook for Recreational Therapists [ About this section ] [ To Top ] Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 8 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job Prospects for Recreational Therapists Job prospects will be best for recreational therapists with both a bachelor's degree and certification.
Employment projections data for Recreational Therapists, Occupational Title Employment, Projected Employment, Change, Percent Numeric Recreational therapists 19, 21, 8 1, Careers Related to Recreational Therapists [ About this section ] [ To Top ] Athletic Trainers Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Exercise Physiologists Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.
Occupational Therapists Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. This graphic shows the share of Recreational therapists employed by various industries. Nursing Care Facilities employs the largest share of Recreational therapists at Demographic information on Recreational therapists in the US.
The average age of male Recreational therapists in the workforce is This chart shows the gender breakdown of Recreational therapists. Representing This chart shows the racial and ethnic breakdown of Recreational therapists. The median age of Recreational therapists is Data on the critical and distinctive skills necessary for Recreational therapists from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Recreational therapists need many skills, but most especially Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, and Service Orientation. The revealed comparative advantage RCA shows that Recreational therapists need more than the average amount of Operations Analysis, Service Orientation, and Instructing.
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