Therapeutic Recreation

Our certified therapeutic recreation specialists work with children who are hospitalized to promote a healthier and productive leisure lifestyle, helping children to get back to the activities they enjoyed before their illness or injury. Using activities such as art, sports, games, dance and movement, drama and music, recreation therapists work to improve a child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Recreational therapists work with children and families. They focus on:

• Improving self-image, behavior, cognitive abilities and coordination through recreation and leisure activities like adaptive swimming, games, crafts, horticulture and other social activities.
• Teaching children to use adaptive equipment that will help them fully participate in leisure activities.
• Using recreational activities to improve balance, coordination, strength and endurance.
• Educating patients and families about community resources and recreational activities available to them.

Preparing to Go Home

One of our priorities in rehabilitative care is to prepare children and their families to return home, when parents and other designated caregivers will take over responsibility for the patient’s care.

With our community re-entry outings, we train family members to manage a child’s day-to-day care, as well as trips to places like the grocery store, school or restaurants. Toward the end of your child’s stay in the hospital, you may have the opportunity to plan and participate in an outing in the local community under the supervision of a recreation therapist.