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Founded in 1993, Recreation Therapists of Indiana, Inc. (RTI) is a professional organization representing approximately 200 recreational therapists throughout the state of Indiana. RTI is a chapter affiliate of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) which is the largest national association of recreational therapists. In addition to being the third largest ATRA chapter affiliate, RTI is the only chapter to have a lobbyist. Recreational therapists are health care providers using recreation therapy interventions to improve function of individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions. Recreational therapy utilizes various activities as a form of active treatment to promote the independent physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning of persons experiencing disability as a result of trauma or disease, by enhancing current skills and facilitating the establishment of new skills for daily living, improved quality of life, and community functioning and integration.RTI is also the only chapter affiliate to have a lobbyist.
What is Recreational Therapy?
Recreational Therapy services are goal directed interventions that utilize various treatment modalities to promote the independent physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of persons disabled as a result of injury or illness, by enhancing current skills and facilitating the establishment of new skills for daily living and community functioning. Targeted recreational therapy interventions assist individuals in coping with the stress of illness and disability and prepare them for managing their disability so they may achieve and maintain optimal levels of independence, productivity, and well being. Depending upon the specific needs of the individual client, quality recreation therapy services may include the provision of recreational opportunity and physical activity (e.g. wheelchair sports, exercise and swimming programs) which allow individuals with disabilities mechanisms to prevent declines in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health status, and therefore reduce the need for medical services. Who is a qualified provider of recreational therapy services? An individual who is a graduate of a baccalaureate degree program with a specialization in therapeutic recreation, that includes completion of an internship; and has demonstrated competence to practice as a therapeutic recreation specialist. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) provides national certification. Many employers insist on hiring individuals with the professional certification designation, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). A few states regulate this profession through licensure, certification or regulation of titles.
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