Week 13

For week 13 we got to explore a little more in depth the role, requirements and responsibilities of a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. In doing so we were asked to make a mock job announcement in regards to this position. It was really cool to see all the different things that these specialists get to do. We also learned about what Therapeutic Recreation is and how it works. 


These are the components and or steps of Theraputic Recreation:

1. Assessment: Identify Clients needs; physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual
2. Planning: Determine client’s goals and objectives; functional intervention, leisure education, recreation participation
3. Intervention: Facilitate the group or the activity
4. Evaluation: Determine progress of the client and benefit of the program.

Therapeutic Recreation is very beneficial and provides the following benefits:

• Improvement in physical health status
• Improvement in psychosocial status
• Improvement in cognitive status
• Improvement in life, recreation, and community activities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRmHnFEzoV0 this video goes a little deeper into the section of Therapeutic Recreation as well as the profession. 

 

Week 12

This week learned a little bit more about sports programming along with inclusion. To start off the week we had an opportunity to watch a really awesome video about a woman named Sarah. She's pretty freaking cool and has not let anything get in the way of doing the things she loves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLdi0hMkinM&feature=youtu.be&list=PL600754603F817D38
Her persistence and attitude to try over and over again are super admirable and how we should all strive to be and how we should try to build each other up as well.

I found a really cool website that stuck out to me when looking up information about this week:
http://www.dasasports.org/Default.aspx?tabid=809509
They also had a pretty cool video on their website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rczdtfJhWFE

Week 11

This week we got to watch a video of a man who has no use of his arms but has a career in doing something he loves, drawing. It was very inspirational as well as eye-opening. We are only as disabled as we allow ourselves to be. Where there is a will there is a way. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4vdGpnpr0k&feature=youtu.be

We were then able to learn about the different benefits of arts and types of expressions when it comes to art such as painting, music, acting, ect. I liked what we learned this week about how there is three different levels of art participation they include:

1. The Perceiver: At this level participants might enjoy listening to music, watching a play or going to a photo exhibition. They appreciate the talents of others.
2. The Performer: Performers enjoy playing a piano piece or acting in a play. Their participation is much more than that of the perceiver.
3. The Creator: Participants at this level enjoy shooting photos, sculpting with clay or painting a mountain setting. Participation involves high levels of creativity.

We also learned about all the benefits that art provides such as:

1. Self-discovery
2. Communication with others
3. Improved self-concept
4. Skill development
5. Societal recognition and awareness
6. Social interaction

Online I found a website that goes a little deeper into these different qualities and perks of art for everyone really: http://www.disabilityliving.ca/people-with-disabilities-art-therapy/

They said, 

"One definition of art therapy is “Employing the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages with the aim of resolving conflicts and problems, developing interpersonal skills, managing behavior, reducing stress,  and increasing self-esteem and self-awareness.”

While art therapy does have specific benefits for the disabled, it also has emotional, physical, mental, cognitive, and creative benefits universal to all people. The emotional benefits are reaped when a person chooses to express his or her emotions through art, be it through painting, singing, dancing, etc. This may allow for a more “free-flow” of emotions, and may prevent them from getting backlogged and causing emotional difficulties."

I love the way they put this and it was really easy for me to understand and see how that could be possible, through the video we watched as well as through doing art myself. 

Week 10

I really enjoyed the video that we watched for this weeks lesson it was really inspirational.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwUc5RnvfPE&feature=youtu.be&list=PL600754603F817D38
I thought Brian's zeal and enthusiasm was super admirable. I would like to develop an attitude like his that I am willing, positive and interested in finding a way to do the things in my life that seem impossible.

In our personal training this week we learned a lot about the benefits of outdoor recreation:

Outdoor Activities includes water sports such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking; snow based programs such as downhill and cross country skiing, snow machining, ice fishing; land based activities such as camping, rock climbing, hiking bicycling, riding horses, fishing and hunting.

Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

• Physical Exercise and Activity
• Physical challenge
• Learning new skills and applying those skills
• Enjoy the wonders and beauty of Nature
• Opportunity to be with friends
• Freedom from daily stress and pressures
• Closeness to Heavenly Father; spiritual growth
• Outdoor activities are Fun and enjoyable!
• Excitement of planning an outdoor experience

I do like outdoor recreation however I love to be able to do exercise fitness, and indoor recreation. So I decided to look up some things about the benefits of that. Online a found a couple benefits that are similar to those for outdoor recreation

Helps You Relax

Recreational activities help you relax and give soothing effect to your nerves. It helps you release the tension and maintain equilibrium. It is one of the bestr elaxation techniques to help you get back to work in full form.

Reduces Stress

- Are you feeling stress lately? Do late hours get out the best in you. If tension is taking its toll on you then recreation activities are best for you.

Impacts Your Health

- Recreational activities have a very good impact on your health. It is an excellent medicine for ailments which cannot be cured by any other manner. It is a natural way to stay fit and healthy in life.

Social Benefits-

It helps you meet like minded people and develop a favorable rapport. People who share common interest makes a joyful group that help each other to promote themselves. Importance of recreation gets reflected in the status you build for yourself.

Refresh the Senses

- Feeling dumb?Recreation is the important and best activity to refresh you senses and prepare you for the next battle. It rejuvenates your senses and makes you feel light again.

Refills the Energy

- Recreation activities are best mechanism to refill your energy and make you feel alive again. It is best way to charge you up when you feel exhausted and drained out.

Quality of Life

- Recreational activities help you build self esteem and confidence. It helps you enhance the quality of life by building a positive self image.

Effective Time Utilization

- When your body is at the best of its form both in terms of health and energy, recreational activities helps you utilize your time effectively. The effort you put in a certain task is way below what you could have possibly put without any recreational activity.

Sharpen Skills

- The value and benefit of recreational activities is best seen in the form of skills that gets developed and sharpened over the period of time. You not only are inclined to learn more things but are also motivated to be at your best.

The website, https://www.scribd.com/document/124314780/Indoor-Recreational-Activities also gives some different ideas of indoor recreation activities. Some of which I found interesting like playing card games, it makes sense though. They help sharpen your sense and can increase social aspects as well! 

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Week 9

In this weeks lesson we learned about how important it is to network and learn how to collaborate. Along with that there is so much good that comes from learning how to do so. It benefits so many people, inside and outside of your own company. We had an interesting challenge this week to make a plan of how we would put together a program for an autistic playgroup and the different ways we would try to incorporate networking and collaboration in with it. I really enjoyed this activity as it helped me to think about how to help my group as well as how to get more involved with the community.

In our reading material this week we were able to read in more detail about networking. We were able to learn, what networking is as well as the logistics of networking.

"Definition: Networking is the process of establishing and maintaining communication with professionals and consumers from a variety of backgrounds that have a common vision about community leisure services.

1. Networking occurs between various individuals including different
   1. Disciplines
   2. Consumers
   3. Agencies
   4. organizations
2. Primary reasons for Networking
   1. Accommodate needs of individuals in our program
   2. Serve more people with disabilities

Benefits of Networking

1. Agencies can increase internal resources by adding the specialized skills of staff that work with the other agencies with which they network.
   1. Can guide individuals to programs
   2. Provide planning, teaching and leading skills to recreation activities
2. Staff within the network may be able to assist other agencies
   1. Can help during peaks
   2. Lead to higher quality service
   3. Improve resource utilization
3. Networks are enhanced when united
   1. Focus more on individuals needs
   2. Greater success is achieved
4. Increased information flow through organizations in the network
   1. For example, when a therapeutic recreation specialist in a hospital shares the discharge with a community recreation professional
   2. Individual with disability has a better chance of receiving better care.
   3. Both parties are able to communicate needs of patient with each other successfully
5. Keeps professionals and peers informed within and outside their respective fields
   1. Provide more diverse programs, better facilities, and a variety of trained professionals
   2. Better services that improve quality of life for individual
6. Share common vision
   1. The vision spreads and more rights are created for people with disabilities
   2. No longer parents or advocacy groups, it’s the whole network

Keys to Effective Networking

1. Common Vision
2. Communication
3. Compromise (win-win)
4. Commitment
5. Consumer Involvement by people with disabilities
6. Clarity (roles, authority)

Elements of Networking

1. Decide if you have enough in common to start a partnership
   1. Shared vision and motivation to accomplish is a must!
   2. Combines missions through mutually agreed upon goals and objectives
2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all individuals involved in the network
   1. Supplementing weaknesses and complimenting strengths increases success
   2. By realizing that networks are long-term relationships, we can overcome short-term failures
3. Compromise
   1. Take risks without anticipating rejection
   2. Be receptive to new ideas
   3. Always search for win-win solutions
4. Communicate
   1. Remain in touch with those involved
   1. Promotes motivated employees
   2. Provides information regarding consumer satisfaction and views
5. Benefits of communication:
   1. Increases motivation
   2. Shares important information regarding progress toward the goal
   3. Provides assistance when facing a difficult task

What you can do to promote networking and collaboration

1. Personally
   1. keep an open mind, ask questions and seek clarification
   2. follow through with your responsibilities and tasks
   3. know your limits and when to get help
2. Regarding Others
   1. bring more people into your network
   2. recognize others and their achievements give feedback
   3. value and act on the expertise of others in the network-listen
   4. obtain training and info. that will increase your skills
   5. remember why you are collaborating-to help people with disabilities live enriched lives with inclusive recreation.

Community Resources

1. Human Resources
   • give out responsibilities
2. Information
   • Net, Libraries, Computer resources, and conferences
3. Financial
   • State and Federal taxes, fees from participants, fundraising and grants
4. Facilities and Equipment
   • work with other facilities to save money
   • Special Olympics using BYU swimming pool for free, also had volunteer network
5. Transportation
• carpools and carts

Within my own research this week I found what I thought to be a compelling website that is an advocate of why it is important to create my play group.

http://www.connecttherapy.com/blog/therapy-strategies/importance-of-play-in-children-with-autism/

One of the biggest things about networking is you want to present a solid point, that is convincing as to why people should get involved. This website helped me to do so. 

P.S

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2015/06/11/10-fun-summer-diy-sensory-games-kids 

this one provided different possible activities. 

Week 8

This weeks lesson we learned about the importance of making sure that different recreation programs can be offered for everyone regardless of disabilities. We also learned about how to work on making these programs accessible. There is a 7 step process that helps outline how to do this and the importance of doing it.

Step One: Program Promotion

• Refers to advertising and promotion of program.
• Ask questions to ensure that advertising is conveying the message that you want. Do my flyers show that my program is accessible? Are my flyers reaching the special population?

Step Two: Registration Process and Assessment of Needs

• Registration forms need to include a space where the applicant can state any special needs.
• Be prepared to meet with applicants to discuss special needs and how to best prepare for optimal experience.
• Does the participant require any accommodations of have any needs of which we should be aware?

Step Three: Accommodations and Supports

• Accommodations: Equipment and Activity Adaptations
1. Besides the person’s own devices, do we need any special equipment or modifications?
2. Have the steps of the activity been broken down into small tasks to match the competence of the participant?
3. Do we need to make changes to the rules to accommodate everyone?
4. Is the terrain or space accessible to everyone?
5. 5. How we manage the dynamics of the group to operate more effectively?
• Supports: Additional Staff of Volunteers What additional support staff does our program need?
• Assign a one-to one assistant
• Assign an extra staff member for the group
• Develop a “leisure partner” or peer support system
• Develop a leisure coach system

Step Four: Staff Training

• All staff participants are well informed and prepared.
• Guidelines: Is our training ongoing and consistent? Conducted with new programs? For all program leaders? Involve participant input? Are new staff members educated and trained in the inclusion process?
• Topics: Do our training topics include importance of inclusion? Benefits of inclusion? Disability awareness activities? People-first language? Simulation/experiential activities? Involve scenarios? Leadership roles? Discuss only important needs of specific participants?
• Does our program offer equal special personal care?
• Are the non disabled participants comfortable and well informed of needs of participants with disabilities?

Step Five: Program Implementation

• Are we executing the principles that we had prepared for?
• Are we communicating well with patrons to further improve the program?

Step Six: Documentation

• Are we properly documenting daily progress to evaluate success over time?

Step Seven: Evaluation

• Involve everyone (participants, parents, leaders) in evaluation process
• What happened? Why did it happen? What could be improved? What can be done differently?

Along with that we learned about how to make the social atmosphere beneficial as well:

Principles for Structuring Social Integration in Recreation Activities

1. Frequent and consistent opportunities to get acquainted
2. Equal status
3. Mutual goals
4. Cooperation and interdependence
5. Receiving accurate (not stereotyped) information about the person with a disability
6. Fair and tolerant norms

https://www.outdoored.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/AORE_Adaptive_Recreation_0.pdf 

talks about how to make outdoor recreation for adaptive for people. We know there are many different benefits to outdoor recreation and we want to make sure that all people have access and ability to be able to do so. I thought it was really interesting how there is a slide on this website that talks a lot about people-first communication. It is really important that that is a key principle or foundation of your program. In doing so all employees know that that is something they need to master and make important. In making it a key thing it will become natural and will also create a safe fun environment for participants that will enable them to keep wanting to come back. 

Week 7

This week had some very interesting material. It helped me to better understand how to make a facility better accessible for those who have hearing disabilities. Along with that we were also challenged to find different ways to make a facility for accessible for all types of disabilities. It was a very eye opening week.

This weeks video was, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGs0iqs0f_k&feature=youtu.be
It helped me learn a lot more about accessibility and hearing disabilities. I think it is a very helpful video because it goes over many different situations as well.

Along with that we were given some other information to help us this included:

How do I complete a self-evaluation and an accessibility plan?

Self-Evaluation Process-helps identify barriers that impede inclusion of people with disabilities

• List all Programs, services, and activities you provide
• Concisely describe each program, service, or activity.
• Collect and document the policies, procedures, and priorities that govern your day-to-day operation
1. Analyze how current policies, procedures, and practices (or lack thereof) affect or impact individuals with disabilities.
2. Determine if any barriers are physical and can be solved through nonstructural changes
3. Identify solutions to modify existing polices, procedures, and practices to allow for full inclusion of people with disabilities
4. Consult with interested persons, especially people with disabilities, on identified barriers and solutions, as well as other self-evaluation data.
5. Keep a copy of your self-evaluation on file.

Suggestions for Improving Access for People with Disabilities

Path of Travel

1. A pathway should connect separate buildings or activity areas within the same site
2. Designate parking for people with disabilities as close as possible to the accessible entrance
3. Securely anchor carpets and mats to floor surfaces
4. 36 inch wide paths

Doors

1. At inaccessible entrances, pace signs bearing the International Symbol of Accessibility and arrows indicating the location of the accessible entrance
2. Replace doorknobs with lever or loop handles
3. 32 inches minimum clearance

Stairs, Ramps, and Elevators

1. Hold meetings/events in spaces that do no requires stairs
2. Add nonslip treads to stairs
3. Ramps should be sloped at 1:12 or less.

Restrooms

1. Install a handle on the inside of the stall door
2. Provide knee space below the sink at 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 22 inches deep
3. Enlarge the stall to accommodate grab bars and an accessible toilet.
4. Provide a 5-foot turning space in the communal part of the restroom.
5. Dispensers should be 42 inches above the floor

Improving Accessibility for Visual Impairments

• Avoid reorganizing living areas
• Improve lighting within the facility
• Remove protruding objects
• Place handrails where needed
• Avoid installing solid glass doors
• Provide materials in Braille or on audiotapes if possible

Accessibility: Points to Remember

• Consider all types of disabilities
• Get input from people with disabilities
• Check with your state laws on access
• Functionality: approaching, entering, safety, and convenience
• New structures need to be fully accessible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyYQ2P8WYx4

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/watch/ask-toh-doorbell-home-gym

Week 6

The lesson for Week 6 taught me a lot about positive psychology along with the PERMA elements and how they play into our lives.
So what is Positive Psychology?
What is PERMA?

Positive Psychology as explained in this weeks lesson is, "a recent branch of psychology whose purpose was summed up in 1998 by Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: “We believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise, which achieves a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving individuals, families, and communities.” Positive psychologists seek “to find and nurture genius and talent” and “to make normal life more fulfilling,” rather than merely treating mental illness. Positive psychology is primarily concerned with using the psychological theory, research and intervention techniques to understand the positive, adaptive, creative and emotionally fulfilling aspects of human behavior."

PERMA as explained in this week lesson, 
"The PERMA Model was developed by respected positive psychologist, Martin Seligman, and was widely published in his influential 2011 book, “Flourish.” “PERMA” stands for the five essential elements that should be in place for us to experience lasting well-being. These are:

1. Positive Emotion (P) For us to experience well-being, we need positive emotion in our lives. Any positive emotion such as peace, gratitude, satisfaction, pleasure, inspiration, hope, curiosity, or love falls into this category; and the message is that it’s really important to enjoy yourself in the here and now, just as long as the other elements of PERMA are in place.
2. Engagement (E) When we’re truly engaged in a situation, task, or project, we experience a state of flow : time seems to stop, we lose our sense of self, and we concentrate intensely on the present. This feels really good! The more we experience this type of engagement, the more likely we are to experience well-being.
3. Positive Relationships (R) As humans, we are “social beings,” and good relationships are core to our well-being. Time and again, we see that people who have meaningful, positive relationships with others are happier than those who do not. Relationships really do matter!
4. Meaning (M) Meaning comes from serving a cause bigger than ourselves. Whether this is a specific deity or religion, or a cause that helps humanity in some way, we all need meaning in our lives to have a sense of well-being.
5. Accomplishment/Achievement (A) Many of us strive to better ourselves in some way, whether we’re seeking to master a skill, achieve a valuable goal, or win in some competitive event. As such, accomplishment is another important thing that contributes to our ability to flourish." 

We also were required to take a quiz this week that informed us what our signature strengths are. To do this you go to http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Survey#nav and take the survey and then it splits your strengths and labels them from 1-24. It is said that the first five are our Signature Strengths. When we do activities to help develop these Signature Strengths it makes us happier. I have done this activity before and I really enjoy it. I think it is interesting to see how your strengths change over a year when you take it different times. It also helps me reflect on maybe what I want to be able to answer next time I take it. So I can try to develop that in my life.

Now, back to positive psychology. I love the things I learned and researched about meditation and positive psychology. I got really into meditation last year and I think it can help a lot with depression, anxiety, ect and promoting positive psychology.
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/mindfulness-positive-psychology-3-great-insights/

I was going to copy and past the whole website page but I figure it's easier for you to click it and read it :) Till next time! 

Week 5

In this weeks lesson we were able to watch a super inspiring video about how we shouldn't let any type of "disability" deter us from living our lives to the fullest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=youtu.be

We were also able to learn a little bit more on how to improve our interaction with those who may have hidden disabilities, development disabilities, mobile impairments and may have suffered a brain injury. I was super impressed with how many hidden disabilities there are, hidden disabilities consist of things like; migraines, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, kidney issues and the list continues on. These are usually disabilities that we may not be able to physically see but can definitely have an impact on how one lives their lives. Some of the ways we can better or relationships and conversations with those in this position include:

• Provide an environment conducive to self-disclosure.
• Once a person has identified himself or herself as having a disability, a confidential discussion can follow regarding the need for, and nature of, accommodations required.
• Ask questions that will help you provide appropriate accommodations.

Developmental Disabilities include things such as brain injury, autism, cerebral palsy, ect some positive ways to improve our interactions with those who maybe dealing with a developmental disability include:

• Interact with the person with a developmental disability as a person first.
• Avoid talking about a person with a developmental disability when that person is present.
• Break down concepts into small, easy-to-understand components.
• If necessary, involve an advocate when communicating with a person with a developmental disability.

Next we learned about Mobility Impairments, this could consist of amputation, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, polio, spina bifida, and spinal cord injuries. Some positive ways to interact with individuals who may have mobility impairments consist of:

• If a person appears to have little grasping ability, do not be afraid to shake hands.
• Do not hold on to a person’s wheelchair. It is a part of the person’s body space and touching it or leaning on it are both inappropriate and dangerous.
• Talk directly to a person using a wheelchair, not to an attendant or third party.
• During a conversation with a person using a wheelchair, consider sitting down in order to share eye level.
• Avoid inappropriate terms such as “cripple,” “confined to a wheelchair,” “bed-ridden,” “wheelchair-bound,” “deformed,” and “suffering from a disability.” Instead, use terms such as “person with a physical disability” or “person who uses a wheelchair.”
• Invite people with disabilities to serve on program boards and planning committees.
• Create an access policy to demonstrate your commitment to comply with the ADA and to include people with disabilities.
• Implement changes, if necessary, to make your pro¬grams and facilities accessible and compliant with the ADA.

The last thing we read about this week was Acquired Brain Injuries and these were the positive ways to interact with individuals who have experienced that type of trauma;

• Repeat important information about the purpose, duration and guidelines for a workshop, class, or meeting.
• Keep the environment distraction-free.
• Be aware that impulsiveness, irritability, or egocentric behavior are possible from a person with an acquired brain injury.
• Accentuate positive gains using frequent praise.

My extra thing I found for my toolbox this week I actually took from a post on our Team Huddle discussion board. It is a talk from President Uchtdorf titled, "Forget Me Not". In it it discusses the importance of remembering and recognizing our role as well as other peoples role as a daughter of God. In regards to this lesson I was able to take it a step further and reflect upon the Lords love for all of his sons and daughters. One of the "forget me nots" he states is to be patient. I think that being patient ties in with this concept as well. We need to be patient with ourselves when learning to work with other people and we need to be patient with others as well. 

Week 4

This weeks material provided a lot of information on some how to's for a lot of different disabilities. Which is super helpful so I'm going to start with just kind of going over what I read on Ilearn that really stuck out to me and then put some blurbs on my own research I found.

Blindness and Visual Impairment:
TIPS:

• To guide a person who is blind, let him or her take your arm. If you encounter steps, curbs, or other obstacles, identify them and pause briefly before proceeding.
• Speak directly to the person in a normal tone and speed.
• Do not pet or play with a working guide or service dog.
• When entering or leaving a room, say so.
• When a person who has a visual impairment is meeting many people, introduce them individually.
• Remove displays or other objects; avoid clutter; use large letter signs; raise low-hanging signs or lights.
• Use alternative formats for written materials.

First off, this one is near and dear to my heart. My grandmother when she was alive had macular degeneration. For those of you who don't know what that is basically it create these big black blurs in your vision. However, she had such a zest for life. Her favorite type of leisure consisted of reading, so when she wasn't able to read anymore we would buy her books on CDs or tapes. Or she would have friends read to her. This showed me how essential leisure is in our lives. This was something she loved so much that if it would have been taken away with her sight she would have been devastated. Anyone who has a disability wants to enjoy the things they love, just as we do. I think that when we are able to look past the disability and look at how we get to have a career that helps people find a love for life or even help them with that love. That is just so exciting to me!

Okay sorry rant over.

Deafness & Hearing Impairment:
TIPS:

• Using a normal tone, speak clearly and distinctly.
• Use facial expressions, body language, and pantomime.
• If a sign language interpreter is involved, speak directly to the person who is deaf, not the interpreter.
• If you are writing a message don’t talk at the same time.
• Ask the person to repeat himself or herself if you do not understand. The goal is communication; don’t pretend to understand.
• Avoid standing in front of a light source or window that might silhouette your face, making it difficult to see you clearly.
• Install a Teletypewriter (TTY) in your office.
• Learn how to find a sign language interpreter on short notice.
• If you know sign language try using it. It may help to communicate but also demonstrates your willingness to meet the person halfway.
• Arrange for people with hearing impairments to sit near the speaker in lecture/performance

Learning Disabilities:
TIPS:

• Be aware that occasional inattentiveness, distraction, or loss of eye contact by a person with a learning disability is not unusual.
• When communicating with a person with a learning disability, discuss openly the preferred way to communicate.
• Be sensitive to the fact that some information processing problems may affect social skills.
• Provide structure and clear concrete expectations.
• Provide positive reinforcement. Do not embarrass the participant by asking him or her to do a task that will draw attention to the disability.
• If the participant has difficulty with coordination, be sure to analyze activities for any safety issues and to manage any identified risks.

ADD or ADHD
TIPS:

• Get the person’s attention before talking to them.
• Be patient when communicating with someone with ADHD.
• Give positive reinforcement.
• Decrease the length of tasks and divide tasks into smaller parts to be completed at different times.
• Keep instructions simple. Limits, rules and consequences should be clearly stated and carried out consistently.
• Keep the participant close to the activity leader during group activity times, when attending or participating becomes a problem.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Keep a consistent daily schedule.

Mental Illness
TIPS:

• Remember that people with mental illness do not have lower intelligence.
• Be aware that people with more severe mental illnesses may have difficulty processing or expressing emotions.
• Be sensitive to the fact that some people with mental illness may overreact to emotionally charged topics or conversations.
• Learn more about the nature of the person’s diagnosed mental illness.

After watching the video that we did on OCD I decided to look into it a little bit to have some more knowledge of it. I found this awesome website that gives A LOT of insight on the matter, hope you enjoy!

 http://www.psychguides.com/guides/how-to-find-help-treating-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/

Week 3

Language!
How we talk and what we say is so important! We know that what we say and how we say it can have a lasting effect on people whether or not we mean to do so. I am so grateful for the information and videos that were shown in week 3 because they helped me understand why people first language is so important and helped me to understand a little more in how it works.

https://www.thearc.org/who-we-are/media-center/people-first-language.
This website also provided insight with a quote that said,
“Our words and the meanings we attach to them create attitudes, drive social policies and laws, influence our feelings and decisions, and affect people’s daily lives and more. How we use them makes a difference. People First Language puts the person before the disability, and describes what a person has, not who a person is. Using a diagnosis as a defining characteristic reflects prejudice, and also robs the person of the opportunity to define him/herself.”

YES! I love this! We make attitudes, by how we speak, we effect our attitudes and shape the ones of people around us. I want to speak in such a way that oozes love and helps breed confidence among everyone I come in contact with.  

TIPS:

1. Speak of the person first, than the disability
2. Emphasize abilities, not limitations
3. Do not label people as part of a disability group—don’t say “the disabled.” Say “people with disabilities.”
4. Don’t give excessive praise or attention to a person with a disability are don’t patronized.
5. Choice and independence are important; let the person do or speak for himself of herself as much as possibilities.
6. If addressing an adult say “Bill” instead of “Billy”
7. A disability is a functional limitation that interferes with a person’s ability to walk, hear, learn, etc. A handicap describes a situation or barrier imposed by society, the environment, or oneself
8. Focus on what the person can do and not on what they can’t do. Each participant can add excitement and variety to the group and/or program.

Week 2

This weeks lesson provides me with so much information on how important recreation is and all the benefits that it provides. These benefits help so many people. This lesson breaks leisure up into three different categories:

" Leisure as Time: Free time from obligations; time to do with what an individual wants. 
Leisure as a Recreational Activity: Freely chosen activity with positive outcomes; sports, games, art, hobbies, music, etc. 
Leisure as an Attitude (State of Mind): Feeling of satisfaction, positiveness, happiness. How we feel during an activity. Some individuals might find leisure in their work, i.e. professional basketball players, inventors, outdoor recreation instructors, writers, etc."
 It is so interesting that leisure can have so many different facets and I think that it is important to understand and learn about each one. That way you can find one or multiple things that provide you with an optimal level of FLOW. Also when it comes to working I want to be able to help people understand the different types of leisure and help them figure out what it is that provides them with an optimal level of FLOW.

Another thing from the reading that I found really insightful as well as important was all of the different benefits that can be gained from Leisure and Recreation:

• Psychological benefits: Self-confidence, personal growth, sense of control over one’s life, positive mood and emotion, reduced tension and depression, sense of freedom, creative expression, increased spirituality, and sense of wellness.
• Environmental benefits: Maintenance of physical facilities, development of an environmental ethic, preservation of natural sites, and environmental protection.
• Physiological benefits: Management of various diseases (arthritis, colon cancer, diabetes, etc.), Respiratory benefits, increased muscle strength and endurance, increased life expectancy, and reduced stress.
• Social and cultural benefits: Ethnic identity, family bonding, cultural and historical awareness, and enhanced world view.
• Economic benefits: Reduced health costs, higher employee productivity, less work absenteeism, and reduced youth recidivism (delinquency)

These are all things I will need to know in order to help people realize how important leisure is. It is like in the activity that we did where we had to explain why it is important to keep funding for leisure or recreation. These are key reasons and points that people need leisure and recreation in society. The ADA requirements allow that to be shared among all people as well which is awesome. When looking into the benefits for people I found a lot in regards to PTDS that really stuck out to me and I want to make sure that I am aware and able to find ways to help people benefit from things they love to do.

http://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2015/june/recreational-therapy-helping-soldiers-cope-with-ptsd/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipgNA-12BwA

Week 1

Inclusion is so important and plays a role in the life of everyone really. Everyone wants to feel included in one way or another and feel like their opinion matters. Or feel like they can participate and be a part of the team whether that's a real team or a metaphorical team. I think the 1st weeks lesson and application taught me how important it is that we do what we can to help people feel included. We never know what someone is going through or what ailments they or someone they know or love might be dealing with.
I think inclusion is an awesome way to use our minds to be creative and find new ways to include everyone. Especially within a recreational setting, recreation takes on so many different facets and there's so many different things people love to do. In the recreation world we are blessed to help people find those things they love regardless of if they have a disability or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRHxHapwirw
This video shows how important inclusion is and how we can play a vital role in the lives of others to help them find something they love.