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Recreational Therapy in Schools
What is I.D.E.A.? The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Amendments of 1997, Public Law 105-17
(Adapted from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse Project TRIPS - Therapeutic Recreation in Public Schools web site and a fact sheet by: National Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth)
Recreational Therapy (RT) or Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is considered a Related Service of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Amendments of 1997, P.L. 105-17. It should be noted, that if Therapeutic Recreation as a related service is part of the child's Individual Education Program (IEP), the school district must provide the services listed or the IEP must be amended.
Going to school and getting an education is every child's right. This is true for children with disabilities as well. They have the right to go to school and to learn academic and social skills in ways that meet their special needs.
To make sure that children with disabilities have these rights, Congress initially passed a law in 1975 known as (Public Law) P.L.94-142. This law required that all states (and territories) provide a public school education to children, ages 3 to 21, (unless state law or practice does not provide for public school services for children 3-5 or 18-21), no matter how severe their disabilities are. This law has been changed to P.L.101-476, under which all children with disabilities have the right to learn to the best of their abilities. The most recent amendment to this law is P.L. 105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Under this legislation, all children with disabilities, ages birth-21, are to receive free and appropriate public education.
There are several basic rights that this law promises to children with disabilities and their parents:
- The right to an educational placement that is based on an assessment and evaluation of each child's own special needs
- The right to a "free, appropriate public education" at public expense (in some cases, this may include placing a child in a private school)
- Prior to an initial evaluation being administered to their child, parents must be provided with a written notice, describing the proposed action and voluntarily give their consent for the evaluation
- Parents are entitled to receive an explanation of all evaluation results and an explanation of any actions proposed or rejected in regard to evaluation results
- Parents have the fight to request an independent evaluation (conducted by someone not employed by the school) and have the results considered in discussions regarding the school placement of their child
- The fight for children with disabilities to receive teaching or instruction that is designed to meet their needs; these needs are to be clearly written and included in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each child, with statements about what services the child will receive
- The fight to a full range of educational services that may include related services such as counseling, special transportation, speech language therapy, or occupational or physical therapy
- The fight for parents (or guardians) to be included as equal partners in making decisions about their child's educational needs and to approve the educational plans for their child
- Parents have the fight to request an impartial hearing (Due Process Hearing) at any time when they disagree with the proposed procedures for evaluation and/or placement of their child. At the hearing they may have legal counsel, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and obtain written findings of the proceedings. If they are deaf or normally communicate in a language other than English, the hearing must be conducted so that all communication is completely understandable to them.
Finally, P.L.105-17 requires that children with disabilities be educated in the "Least Restrictive Environment" (LRE), that is, in the most normal school setting possible, with special help provided.
What is a Related Service?
Related services as defined under P.L. 105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as "any developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children." IDEA identifies recreation as one of the related services that may assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education.
Other than recreation, what else is included as a related service?
1. Audiology
2. Counseling services
3. Early Identification
4. Medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes
5. Occupational therapy
6. Parent counseling and training
7. Physical therapy
8. Psychological services
9. Rehabilitation counseling
10. School health services
11. Social work services in schools
12. Speech pathology
13. Transportation
14. Orientation and Mobility Services (added with IDEA, 97)
What does recreation include under IDEA?
(From Center for Recreation and Disability Studies, Curriculum in Leisure Studies & Recreation Administration, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Under IDEA, Recreation as a related service includes:
1. Assessment of Recreation and Leisure Functioning
Assessment of recreation and leisure functioning is a procedure to determine the current functional strengths and needs of students with disabilities in terms of skills, abilities, and attitudes relative to recreation and leisure.
2. Leisure Education
Leisure education provides students with recreational and educational instruction to promote positive attitudes toward leisure, recognition of the benefits of recreation involvement, the development of skills necessary for recreation participation (such as social, decision making, and planning skills), knowledge of recreation resources, and attitudes and skills that facilitate independent, satisfying leisure experiences.
3. Therapeutic Recreation (also referred to as Recreational Therapy)
Therapeutic recreation is the use of recreation activities to habilitate or rehabilitate functional abilities, which contribute to behavioral change.
'Therapeutic recreation is a process involving assessment, development of goals and objectives, and the implementation, documentation, and evaluation of intervention strategies.
4. Recreation in Schools and Community Agencies
Recreation in schools and community agencies involves the provision of recreation services that facilitate the full participation of children and youths with disabilities in school and community programs. Activities are used to promote health, growth, development, and independence through self-rewarding leisure pursuits.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment email Creekside Recreational Therapy Services at recreational.therapist@gmail.com or call 252-675-2635. Appointments can generally be scheduled within ten business days.