THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Program Outline
Major: TREC
Length: 1 Year
Delivery: 3 Semesters
Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Effective: 2011-2012
Location: Orillia
Start: Fall
Description
The Therapeutic Recreation program prepares you to work within recreation, health, or social service delivery systems serving individuals with illness or disabilities. You will acquire the skills to complete client assessments, develop and evaluate group and individualized programs, and use a variety of facilitative techniques to assist individuals to participate in meaningful recreational activities that will enhance health, improve functional ability, and increase quality of life.
The program is based on a firm belief of the inherent benefits of play, recreation and leisure to all individuals. You will learn to adapt recreation activities so individuals with a variety of disabling conditions can participate and to use recreation as a therapeutic tool to improve/restore health and wellness.
The internship will provide you with the opportunity to develop and improve your skills under the supervision of a Therapeutic Recreation Practitioner and to channel yourself into a rewarding career option in one of many different settings.
Career Opportunities
Some of the people who use the services of Therapeutic Recreation Practitioner include:
* Children and adults with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities
* Older adults in a variety of settings
* Youth at risk, young offenders and adults in correctional facilities
* People with head or spinal cord injuries
* People with mental health issues including substance abuse problems
* Individuals in community recreation programs
Graduates of the program should find employment in health or human service organizations such as:
* Acute, chronic care and other specialized hospitals
* Provincial agencies/facilities for individuals with psychiatric or developmental disabilities
* Rehabilitation programs
* Children's treatment centres
* Municipal recreation departments
* Long term care facilities/Adult day programs
* Correctional programs and facilities
* Community/private agencies serving people with illness disability
According to Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, the registration (R/TRO) designation is currently a voluntary credential that demonstrates a level of excellence. As the province continues to move toward regulation, the R/TRO will represent the minimum credential necessary. Please visit the TRO website for additional information http://www.trontario.org.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- practise Therapeutic Recreation according to current professional standards.;
- develop effective recreation and treatment programs for individuals and groups in a variety of leisure, human service and health care settings;
- use effective program development and leadership skills to facilitate leisure experiences that enhance quality of life;
- use a variety of facilitative techniques to promote change, growth, and health/wellness in clients;
- demonstrate professional behaviour and work effectively as a member of a team.
Program Progression
Sem 1 - Falll 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Sem 3 - Summer 2012
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a college diploma, or university degree, with a specialty in health or human services.
Selection Process
Applicants will be asked to submit a current resume. Academic and experiential learning of all applicants will be assessed.
Graduation Requirements
12 Mandatory Courses
1 Internship
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.
Mandatory
TREC1002 Assessment Processes
TREC1003 Foundations of TR
TREC1004 Adapted Recreation
TREC1005 Selected Populations and TR
TREC1007 Leisure Education
TREC1008 Professional Issues and Trends
TREC1009 Organizational Leadership
TREC1010 Facilitative Techniques in TR
TREC1011 Research in TR
TREC1012 Leisure Counselling: An Applied Approach
TREC1014 The Human Body
TREC1015 Disease and Disability
Internship
TREC1016 Internship
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
TREC1002 Assessment Processes 42.0 Hours
This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct individualized, systematic assessments for diverse client groups. The course introduces the student to the tools and processes necessary to determine a client's interests, skills, thoughts, and feelings related to their leisure life. Students will use the information gathered to develop an individualized intervention plan.
TREC1003 Foundations of TR 42.0 Hours
This course provides an overview of the conceptual foundations of therapeutic recreation. The phenomena of play, recreation and leisure will be examined in an historic and contemporary context, society's attitudes toward individuals with disabilities will be explored, and the role of therapeutic recreation specialists will be analysed using a number of contemporary professional practice models. The student will be challenged to develop a personal philosophy of therapeutic recreation professional practice.
TREC1004 Adapted Recreation 42.0 Hours
The ability to systematically develop and effectively lead recreational activities suitable for individuals and groups with disabilities are integral skills of the therapeutic recreation practitioner. This course takes an applied approach in the development of the student's competence in areas including systematic program planning, activity analysis, adaptations, activity leadership, and creativity. This will be accomplished through a variety of classroom and practical experiences where students will develop their skills by both facilitating and participating in a wide range of adapted activities.
TREC1005 Selected Populations and TR 42.0 Hours
Therapeutic recreation practitioners provide services to diverse client groups across a variety of settings. Through classroom discussions and site visitations, this course will examine the role and nature of therapeutic recreation services for a variety of selected populations. Systemic, psychological and sociological variables that impact therapeutic recreation services provided to various client groups will be examined.
TREC1007 Leisure Education 42.0 Hours
This course explores the concept of wellness as it relates to leisure, and the role of leisure education in helping individuals develop and live enjoyable, healthy and satisfying leisure lifestyles. Students will examine their own values and lifestyles before being introduced to strategies and techniques for eliminating barriers, and enhancing the leisure lifestyle of clients. Values clarification strategies are examined as an integral aspect of the leisure education process.
TREC1008 Professional Issues and Trends 42.0 Hours
This course examines a variety of issues and trends presently impacting the therapeutic recreation field. Through lectures, guest speakers, and seminars, students will explore such topics as the professionalization of the field, community development, accessibility, legislation, and other current professional issues. The content of this course will reflect the trends that are presently impacting this rapidly evolving profession.
TREC1009 Organizational Leadership: TR 42.0 Hours
This course examines the role of the contemporary manager in the delivery of therapeutic recreation services. Although the management functions of planning, organizing and controlling will be introduced, a special emphasis will be directed toward the human elements of management including, leadership, motivation, communication, empowerment and team development.
TREC1010 Facilitative Techniques in TR 42.0 Hours
Therapeutic recreation is diverse in the populations it serves and the settings in which it is delivered. Diversity is, therefore, demanded in methodology. This course examines a number of facilitative techniques including, but not limited to, positive behavioural interventions, adventure based programming, reminiscence, relaxation, sensory stimulation, and the therapeutic use of humor, horticulture, animals and music.
TREC1011 Research in TR 42.0 Hours
This course will examine both qualitative and quantitative research methods commonly used in therapeutic recreation, issues related to conducting therapeutic recreation research, and the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data. Knowledge of these topics will enable students to engage in self-reflective practice and systematically conduct basic research in their professional careers. Additionally, this course will enhance the student's ability to interpret and apply information in professional journals.
TREC1012 Leisure Counselling: An Applied Approach 42.0 Hours
This course provides an overview of the process and strategies of leisure counselling. Students learn the essential healing elements of therapeutic relationships, as well as the skills required to assist individuals to achieve goals related to health, leisure and quality of life. A primary focus is on the development of empathic communication skills and ethical practice. Through role-playing and small group interaction, students identify client needs and apply counselling techniques to a broad spectrum of leisure needs.
TREC1014 The Human Body 42.0 Hours
This course prepares the student to participate effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary team. Students will acquire a basic understanding of the human form, function, biomechanics and lifespan development. Students will be introduced to basic medical terminology and gain an appreciation of the expertise and roles played by various multidisciplinary team members.
TREC1015 Disease and Disability 42.0 Hours
This course examines the consequences of selected illnesses and disabling conditions on the individual. An overview of lifestyle limitations imposed by disease, disability and the natural aging process will be studied with an emphasis on the implications for leisure and recreation participation. Responsibilities regarding medications and documentation will be examined. Maintaining one's personal health through the use of proper body mechanics and universal precautions will also be discussed.
TREC1016 Internship 500.0 Hours
Each student will complete a 14 week/36 hour per week, internship at an approved agency. Behavioural competencies will guide the student's involvement during the internship.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: March 08, 2012.