Recreation is an essential part of everyone’s life. It provides a break from the monotony of work and duties, rejuvenates the mind and body, and enhances one’s sense of self. Often, children with conditions like Cerebral Palsy may struggle to engage in recreational activities with their friends on account of their physical limitations. With some adaptations, however, they can pick up almost any activity they like. Here, we offer a brief introduction to how Recreational Therapy can physically and psychologically benefit children with Cerebral Palsy.
Understanding Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of non-progressive neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, coordination, and gait. It occurs due to damage to the brain on account of an injury or infection before, during, or shortly after birth. Children with Cerebral Palsy struggle with symptoms like unsteady gait, poor balance, lack of coordination, extreme muscle tone (hypertonia/hypotonia), pain, trouble speaking/swallowing, and cognitive delays. The right treatment for Cerebral Palsy can enable the child to live as normal a life as possible. Stem Cell Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Recreational Therapy are among the elements of a Cerebral Palsy treatment plan.
The benefits of Recreational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
Recreational Therapy is a form of therapeutic treatment that enables individuals to participate in recreation that they like. Recreational therapists work with patients to understand their needs, abilities, limitations, and preferences and thus help them do indoor and outdoor activities that they enjoy in a meaningful way.
Recreation is a key part of every individual’s life and it is no different for a Cerebral Palsy patient. Recreation not only helps one relax but also allows one to engage with the people and environment around them and feel emotionally fulfilled. Often, children with Cerebral Palsy may feel left out because they cannot participate in the same activities as their peers, be it a sport or an artistic hobby. This can lead to frustration and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and anger issues. The goal of Recreational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy is to create inclusive ways for patients to do what they love, thus improving their mental health and self-esteem.
It is important to note that Recreational Therapy helps to enhance a child’s cognitive and physical abilities. This is because they are encouraged to apply themselves and figure out ways to overcome the barriers that prevent them from doing what they enjoy. For instance, they can learn how to play basketball from a wheelchair or use assistive aids to paint or sculpt with clay. By applying themselves to problem-solving and to the challenge of picking up a new activity, children can form critical neurological connections that expand their mental horizons. There is also the physical aspect to it, as children can become stronger, faster, and more flexible by engaging in athletic interests. While Physical Therapy focuses on similar goals, Recreational Therapy makes it more fun for the child, as they are playing a sport they have chosen themselves.
Socially too, Recreational Therapy has considerable benefits. By participating in recreational activities, children with Cerebral Palsy can encounter and form bonds with other children who enjoy doing the same things. This expands their social circle and also goes a long way to mitigate the psychological distress that can come from knowing one is different from one’s peers. They learn to get along well with others, accept themselves for who they are, and have greater confidence about live in general. On the other side, friends and peers who may not have been sure how to interact with a child who has Cerebral Palsy can now bond with them over a mutual interest. It improves empathy on the other child’s part and allows the typically abled and the differently abled to get along like equals.
Overall, the many advantages of Recreational Therapy serve to help children with Cerebral Palsy become well-rounded individuals physically, mentally, and psychologically.
How to perform Recreational Therapy
There is no fixed age at which Recreational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy needs to begin. Therapists or school teachers may recommend it for the child, or parents who want their child to participate better may initiate the conversation. Recreational Therapy is conducted by a trained Recreational Therapist who has knowledge of subjects like anatomy, kinesiology, first aid and safety, human development, group dynamics, physiology, and psychology.
Before commencing, the recreational therapist will interact with the child and determine their interest areas and dreams as well as their abilities, limitations, and needs. They will also talk to the child’s healthcare team, who can provide recommendations on any modifications or assistive devices that may be necessary for the child to perform the activity safely. Recreational Therapy can take place in a clinic setting, the home, a recreational facility, or the outdoors, depending on the nature of the activity and what the child prefers. The child may enrol in classes along with typically abled people, or in classes specially designed for those with similar impairments. The latter is especially advisable for sporting activities, as there are special modified versions of sports like basketball or football with their own rules.
The types of Recreational Therapy that the therapist recommends will depend on the child’s age. Very young children can be introduced to easy games, playground activities, fun artistic activities like finger painting, and light sports. As they grow older, the therapist can include them in more complex activities like organised sports and group hobbies such as a musical band or theater group. As the child enters adolescence, they will start to express stronger preferences and pick a few sports and activities that they like best. They may also express an interest to join talent shows and competitions. This is also when the patient may apply their creativity and find newer and better ways to work through their physical limitations and excel at their interests. The more they apply themselves and accomplish things, the more empowered and validated they will feel.
A Recreational Therapy program consists of activity-based interventions that focus on adaptation, communication, creative thinking, and functional performance in the activities of the child’s choice. Therapists will tailor the program to each child and modify it depending on the child’s progress and preferences. There are several considerations that the therapist will take into account before implementing a Recreational Therapy plan, including:
- What the child’s physical abilities are and now these may enhance/impede an activity
- Whether any assistive equipment or activity modifications are necessary
- Whether the child needs extra social skills coaching to join group activities
- What positive support mechanisms can be introduced
- Whether the activities are fully in line with the child’s interests and ambitions
How to motivate Cerebral Palsy patients during Recreational Therapy
Particularly at the beginning, a child with Cerebral Palsy may have mental roadblocks about taking up a Recreational Therapy activity, especially if they have been convinced so far that their physical limitations make it impossible for them to do it. Therapists need to work through these roadblocks and introduce interventions that can show the child new ways of trying something and enhance their faith in themselves. Examples of intervention activities include:
- Wellness programs
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- Cognitive retraining
- Behavioral counseling
- Stress management
- Depression/anxiety counseling
- One-on-one conversation role-play
- Small group play activities
- Physical training for specific activities
- Community integration
As they continue to learn and experiment, children will gradually become more open to the process and start exploring on their own.
The child’s parents and caregivers also play an important role in Recreational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy. The therapist will advise the parents on how to conduct recreational activities at home or in external settings, including how to maintain any assistive equipment and any signs of pain to watch out for. They may also conduct awareness classes for the other learners in the recreational activity and make suggestions on how to modify the activity setting (such as a gym, classroom, or community center) for safety. It is also important for family members to keep encouraging the child in their pursuits and celebrate every bit of progress they make.
Other treatments for Cerebral Palsy
Recreational Therapy should be part of a comprehensive Cerebral Palsy treatment plan that aims to maximize the child’s abilities and opportunities. Other treatments that doctors will advise in conjunction with Recreational Therapy include:
- Physical Therapy, comprising guided exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and gross and fine motor skills
- Occupational Therapy to help the child accomplish daily tasks like eating and bathing on their own
- Assistive aids like walkers or wheelchairs to help with mobility
- Speech Therapy to teach correct swallowing techniques and to improve communication and articulation
- Stem Cell Therapy to heal the body’s damaged cells with its own healthy cells in a clinical setting
- Surgery to correct any significant physical deformities
FAQs
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Why is Recreation Therapy important?
Recreation Therapy helps to maintain their patient’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing by enabling them to engage in activities they enjoy. This helps to reduce stress, improve social interactions, and build confidence.
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What do recreational therapists do?
Recreational therapists use a number of interventions related to fine arts, performing arts, and sporting activities to engage children with Cerebral Palsy, based on their interests and inclinations.
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What are the 5 domains of Recreation Therapy?
The five domains of Recreational Therapy are physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, and emotional.
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What\’s the difference between Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy focuses on helping children with Cerebral Palsy accomplish daily activities, while Recreational Therapy helps children engage in leisure activities.
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How will recreational activities improve yourself holistically?
Engaging in recreation helps to relax the mind and body. It improves physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing and enhances cognitive skills as well as physical fitness. It also provides an opportunity to socialize with others.
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What is the therapeutic recreation process?
Therapeutic recreation involves the use of recreational activities by trained therapists to improve the physical and psychological health of those with disabilities or chronic conditions.
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What is the difference between therapeutic recreation and Recreational Therapy?
Therapeutic recreation is another name for recreational therapy, and involves using recreational activities of the patient’s choice to help them heal physically and emotionally.
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What are recreational activities?
Recreational activities refer to any activities that people participate in for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment. It can include both outdoor and indoor activities.
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What is the need for recreational activities?
Recreational activities allow people to manage stress and recover from the daily grind. It also helps them build a stronger sense of self and improves psychological health.
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What is the most popular recreational activity?
Among the most popular recreational activities include running, walking/hiking, outdoor picnics with loved ones, and visiting the pool.
Living with Cerebral Palsy involves several compromises, but losing out on fun shouldn’t be one of them. Recreational Therapy allows children to pursue their dreams, make new friends, and accept their Cerebral Palsy diagnosis as just a part of their identity and not the whole. Eventually, they grow into happy, whole individuals who can participate confidently in social life right alongside their peers.
