Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Therapeutic recreation specialists use sports, games, arts and crafts,
music, dance, drama, sightseeing excursions and non-traditional recreation
activities to improve or maintain the physical, mental, and emotional
well-being of students who receive special education services. Therapeutic
recreation specialists have special training and earned credentials
that assist children with disabilities to benefit from education and
improve the quality of life, increase independent function, and thus
improve their quality of life.
Nature of Work
Education Required
Personal Qualities
Job Outlook and Advancement
How to Prepare for a Career
Resource Information
Therapeutic
Recreation Specialist PDF brochure 
Nature of Work
- Determine the nature and impact of a student's disability to determine
goals and planning for lessons or activities
- Consults regularly with classroom teachers and health and special
education professionals
- Acts as a resource to staff about devices and equipment for students
with disabilities
- Assists students in after school activities that assist them in
acquiring new skills or talents
Education Required
- A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation with
an option in therapeutic recreation is the standard requirement for
most jobs. A master's degree and doctoral degree are also available
in this profession.
- Most employees require therapeutic recreation specialists to be
certified.
- The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCRTC)
has been the nationally recognized organization to certify therapeutic
recreation specialists.
Personal Qualities
- Therapeutic recreation specialists in schools are optimistic and
patient and enjoy working with students of all ages who have various
disabilities. They work well independently but are also good team
players with other health care professionals. Therapeutic recreation
specialists have excellent observation skills, are creative in adapting
activities for their students, and can persuade a reluctant student
to join an activity. They also possess good communication and record
keeping skills.
Job Outlook and Advancement
- According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and National Therapeutic
Recreation Society (NTRS), there are thirty thousand therapeutic recreation
specialists who currently hold jobs in the United States. Employment
is expected to continue to rise through 2005. Persons with advanced
degrees are eligible for positions as program directors, supervisors,
and college teachers.
How to Prepare for a Career
- Find out if your school system employs a therapeutic recreation
specialist. If yes, ask to talk to the specialist about his or her
job. Special education teachers in your school can direct you to resources
and organizations about this profession or they might have a personal
contact with someone who is employed as a therapeutic recreation specialist.
High school students interested in this career should take classes
in English, science, physical education, art, music, and drama.
Resources
American
Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
1414 Prince St. Suite 204
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone (703) 683-9420
Fax (703) 683-9431
National Council for
Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
7 Elmwood Drive
New City, NY 10956
Phone(914) 639-1439
E-mail nctrc@nctrc.org
National
Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS)
22377 Belmont Ridge
Ashburn, VA 20148
Phone (703)858-0784
Fax (703)858-0794
E-mail ntrsnrpa@aol.com
|
