Therapeutic Recreation for Adults and Teens with Unique Needs: Enriching Lives, Making Community

When it comes to our Therapeutic Recreation (TR) programs – Adventure Program, Destination Anywhere, and Venture Forward – one feeling is palpable at every event: Joy. From clients getting dressed up and ready to dance at the Inclusive Prom, to staff members talking about their love for their jobs, and community members attending the latest Venture Forward choir concert – fun and friends make each event special. But joy isn’t the only benefit of Therapeutic Recreation. In fact, the many benefits of TR help us create the kinds of communities where everybody thrives.  

So, what exactly is Therapeutic Recreation? This essential service for teens and adults with disabilities improves their physical, emotional, and social health and well-being. Through Therapeutic Recreation, caring professionals engage with individuals in all kinds of adaptive activities, including sports like yoga, arts and crafts, and social and life skills. At St. David’s Center, we pride ourselves on centering client choice, and on emphasizing community integration, social interaction, and activities that might be challenging for families to do on their own. This year that has included time on the pickleball courts, a visit to Nickelodeon Universe and Dodge Nature Center, dinners out, and a visit to everyone’s favorite destination: Carlson’s Lovable Llamas. So, what are some of the specific benefits our clients and their families can expect?  

Physical Health Benefits 

As with any of us, encouraging physical fitness through sports like pickleball, hiking, and yoga enhances cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility. These fundamentals are often areas of concern for adolescents and adults with disabilities who have historically had fewer opportunities to get active and stay fit due to stigma and a lack of adaptive opportunities. 

Emotional and Mental Health Benefits 

Of particular importance here at St. David’s Center, TR offers significant emotional and mental health benefits. Depression and anxiety are extremely common among individuals with disabilities. In fact, 31% experience depression compared with 8% of the general population, and 40-60% experience anxiety, compared with 19% in the general population. But participating in fun activities can boost mood, increase feelings of self-worth, and promote a sense of accomplishment. That’s where the joy comes in!  

Social Integration and Skills Development 

One of the key advantages of Therapeutic Recreation is the way it uplifts and deepens social integration. Adolescents and adults with disabilities are more likely to experience social isolation, with studies indicating that approximately 25% to 30% of adults with disabilities report feelings of loneliness and social isolation compared to about 15% for the general population. But Therapeutic Recreation, especially St. David’s Center’s approach, helps participants develop communication skills as well as basic life skills like handling money. It also helps them form friendships, have new experiences like their peers, and feel a sense of belonging.  

Working Toward a Society Where Everyone Thrives  

Put all these benefits together and the result is an enhanced quality of life for those with disabilities. And an enhanced, fulfilling quality of life is what each one of us deserves, no matter our unique needs. As St. David’s Program Coordinator Abby Shanahan told us: ““I’m always impressed with what our clients can do and accomplish when given the opportunity to do so!” From keeping a volley going on the pickleball court to wrangling stubborn llamas, for participants in our Therapeutic Recreation programs: life is good!  

Works Cited 

American Therapeutic Recreation Association. (n.d.). About recreational therapy. https://www.atra-online.com/about-rt#:~:text=Recreational%20therapy%2C%20also%20known%20as,%2C%20recovery%20and%20well%2Dbeing. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Disability and physical activity. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/pa.html 

Disability Benefits Help. (2021). The Importance of Recreational Therapy for Adults with Disabilities. 

Independent Living Association. (n.d.). Enriching lives through therapeutic recreation: A guide for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). https://ilaonline.org/enriching-lives-through-therapeutic-recreation-a-guide-for-individuals-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-i-dd/#:~:text=First%2C%20it%20provides%20an%20opportunity,esteem%20and%20promoting%20mental%20wellness. 

Professional Physical Therapy. (2021, July 8). Play is a powerful thing: Benefits of recreational therapy. https://www.professionalpt.com/play-is-a-powerful-thing-benefits-of-recreational-therapy/ 

Recreational Therapy Today. (n.d.). The power of recreational therapy: Improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities. https://www.rectherapytoday.com/9339-the-power-of-recreationaltherapy-improving-quality-of-life-for-individuals-with-disabilities.html 

Stumbo, N. J., & Peterson, C. A. (2009). Therapeutic Recreation Program Design: Principles and Procedures. Pearson.