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Training staff and volunteers is an important aspect of successful program implementation. This paper follows Part A of an evaluation of the Special Olympics Canada (SOC) Coaching Young Athletes Training course. Consistent with Kirkpatrick's four-level model of training evaluation, Part A evaluated program leaders' reactions to (level 1) and immediate learning from (level 2) the training. This Part B paper covers "on the job" behavior (level 3). In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth program leaders (n = 11) from eight provinces. Overall, participants felt that more training related to working with children with autism and promoting positive athlete behavior was needed. The findings also lead us to suggest that program leaders need to develop a more fulsome understanding of how to foster skill mastery, including how to practice the same skill in many and varied ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the findings from a study that explored Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) among TR practitioners working in long term-care homes in Ontario, Canada. ProQoL incorporates positive (e.g., compassion satisfaction) and negative (e.g., compassion fatigue and burnout) aspects of working in healthcare (Stamm, 2010). Limited research exists exploring ProQoL from the perspective of TR practitioners working in LTC homes. To address this gap, four TR practitioners were interviewed to explore past and present experiences that contribute to ProQoL and write personal narratives that embody moments of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Narrative thematic analysis revealed three threads of ProQoL among practitioners: fueling the soul through connection and purpose, draining the TR spirit through workplace conflict and role ambiguity, and developing professional valour. Findings suggest that although practitioners derive great fulfillment from their careers, workplace culture and relational conflict are chronic challenges that erode the ProQoL of professionals. Recommendations for future research and practice are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this second of a three-part study on fieldwork in Recreation(al) Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation (RT) education was to create a landscape of fieldwork as it pertains to academic courses. Courserelated fieldwork is a learning opportunity for RT students to develop and practice competencies through hands-on experiences in applied RT service settings. In an online survey, 54 of 95 programs surveyed responded. Forty-four indicated that fieldwork was incorporated in 172 courses. All the courses fell within nine course-types: Introduction/Foundations, Assessment, Programming, Management, Populations/Settings, Interventions/Modalities, Research/Evaluation, Issues and Trends, and Other Fieldwork Placements (such as practicum, junior internship). This brief report discusses findings in the areas of course requirements, approaches to designing fieldwork experiences, settings and populations, and course connection to the RT process (i.e., assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation).The findings revealed the majority of courses containing fieldwork are similarly required for graduation, prior to the NCTRC internship, worth 3-credits, and require an average of 12-23 hours of fieldwork. However, the settings and populations CTRS®' work in most are underrepresented in course-related fieldwork and several courses reported lack of connection to the RT process. Further collaboration is needed to clarify course-related fieldwork terminology and develop guidelines for all RT academic programs. Implications address curriculum considerations and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive outdoor recreation experiences are widely accepted as a means to rehabilitation and community inclusion; however, therapeutic recreation specialists, have been limited in their ability to document benefits of outdoor recreation activities due to a lack of available instruments. This study reports on the development and implementation of the Progress Report assessment tool, designed to capture functional outcomes of an adaptive snow sports program in the Rocky Mountains. Instrument design, validation, and pilot testing are reviewed. Findings indicate positive changes in participant functional skills observed during snow sports lessons and a positive relationship between number of lessons and one's ability for the respective snow sports activity. Considerations for adaptation and application of the Progress Report, and implications for future research, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Flourishing through Leisure Model (FTL) is a recently developed practice model in the field. Using a convenience sample of 210, this cross-sectional study aimed to test the model's validity. Participants were recruited from seven different sites that provided therapeutic recreation services (both clinical and community settings). A 110-question online survey was used to collect data on the theoretical constructs of the FTL, including overall well-being, leisure, and other well-being domains (i.e., psychological, cognitive, social, physical, and spiritual well-being), as well as the ecological impact on well-being. The results of this study suggested that overall well-being is significantly correlated with all other well-being domains. Additionally, the regression model with the following predictors--psychological/ emotional, environmental factors, leisure participation, social, and leisure experiences--successfully explained 71.3% of the variance in predicting overall well-being. The findings of this study supported the FTL as a sound model to guide recreational therapists in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing prevalence of behavioral health disorders in veterans has triggered a widespread effort to identify and provide complementary interventions. This study investigated physical activity as a complementary treatment option for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for recreational therapy (RT) programs. A correlational survey research design was used to examine relationships between participation in three types of physical activity (traditional indoor fitness, outdoor adventure activity, and mind-body practices) and four psychosocial measures for veterans with PTSD (depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life [HRQoL], and substance use). A total of 102 participants completed the online survey. Results indicated that the frequency and duration of traditional indoor fitness activities and outdoor adventure activities were significantly associated with higher HRQoL, lower reoccurrence of substance use risk, substance use, and depression. Implications for the use of physical activity in recreational therapy for veterans with behavioral health disorders and future research studies were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multisensory instruction is a mode of instruction for children to learn. This instruction utilizes visual, verbal, and kinesthetic methods. There is little known about teaching motor skills through multisensory instruction through live or video modeling. The purposes of this preliminary study were: (1) to pilot the use of multisensory instruction to teach a gross motor skill to children with language disorders and (2) to determine the feasibility of implementing multisensory instruction through the use of video modeling. Results support the use of video modeling to teach a gross motor skill using multisensory instruction. Future research should further investigate multisensory instruction through the use of video modeling for special populations, such as children with language disorders, while keeping prompts, modifications, and video consistency in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation (RT) academic programs provide opportunities for students to further develop competencies through the NCTRCeligible internship prior to graduation. The NCTRCeligible internship experience is the third focus of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association's Academic Action Task Force study to understand the landscape of RT academic program fieldwork experiences in the United States and Canada. Out of a total of 95 RT academic programs, 54 programs responded to an online questionnaire about the fieldwork opportunities provided to students. This brief report discusses the results of the NCTRC-eligible internship experiences in three areas: Pre-Internship Preparation, Program Eligibility Factors, and the NCTRCeligible Internship Experience. Results indicated that most programs provide some level of support in finding, applying to, and securing internship sites; require students to have the majority of the coursework completed, a minimum program GPA of 2.0, completion of a 12-credit internship; and, evaluate learning outcomes through mid- and final evaluation reports. Areas of variability remain, such as site supervisor requirements and course requirements. Recommendations are made for further inquiry related to NCTRC-eligible internship fieldwork education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This evaluation of the Special Olympics Canada (SOC) Coaching Young Athletes training examined program leaders' satisfaction with the SOC training and their self-efficacy toward the key training concepts. Oneday workshops were conducted in eight provinces with 125 program leaders. There were significant increases in participants' confidence to talk about program concepts and to plan, monitor, and implement programs for young athletes. Participants appreciated the mix of theory and practice, interactivity and opportunities to move during the training, but wanted more time with disability specific concepts and problem solving. Overall, more than 80% of participants were confident they could lead a youth program following the training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engagement in leisure is difficult for many communitydwelling adults post-stroke, resulting in increased sedentary and solitary leisure activity, and reduced leisure engagement and satisfaction. This, in turn, impacts long-term recovery, health, and quality of life. The aim of this study was to review the efficacy of in-home and community-based leisure education and leisure counseling on meaningful activity engagement and health outcomes for this population. A systematic review of the literature from 2005-2020 resulted in 2,017 references of which three met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that leisure education and leisure counseling improved quality of life, leisure satisfaction, autonomous leisure engagement, and leisure competence, as well as reduced depression and perceived barriers. Clinical implications and future research recommendations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational therapists in Michigan and Pennsylvania were interviewed on their perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on practice with older adults, including changes to their roles and responsibilities as well as the impact on older adults. Social distancing requirements, limitations on visitors and restrictions on groups transformed programming and practice, as well as negatively impacted older adults living in a variety of residential and community-based settings. This qualitative study included 14 recreational therapists. Related to practice, identified themes included the impact on programming, changing roles and responsibilities, how recreational therapists coped with adversity, and their considerations for future practice. Regarding impact on older adults, the resulting themes noted: 1) lack of socialization, 2) emotional and behavioral responses, 3) physical decline, and 4) cognitive decline. The challenges of working with clients living with cognitive impairments and barriers for older adults living in the community are discussed. Recommendations for practice and research to address the long-term effects of COVID-19 in recreational therapy with older adults are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential to find ways to engage adults living with dementia in meaningful and social activities, as well as elicit positive emotions and behaviors during the selected activities. Intergenerational programs (IGPs) involving young children have been shown to benefit the physical, emotional, and social health of older adults, including those living with dementia, and are often positively received by this population. This study examined how involvement in an IGP was associated with the way that individuals living with dementia engaged and the behaviors that they exhibited during the activities. Fourteen older adults living in a shared-site long-term care facility participated in an onsite IGP. Their interactions were recorded over a five-day period immediately prior to the children's arrival and throughout the duration of the program; adults' engagement and behaviors were coded using the Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES). Findings indicated that there were significant changes in engagement type and the behaviors exhibited by these adults during the IGPs. Constructive engagement significantly increased while non-engagement and other engagement were significantly reduced when the children were present. Greater displays of pleasure and helping behaviors were also exhibited during the IGPs. These findings have implications for recreational therapy practice in long-term care settings and support the use of IGPs with adults living with dementia as a nonpharmacological intervention to improve social engagement in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many internships during the January 2020 semester to be shifted to a virtual/remote format. Due to the unprecedented nature of this forced shift, there was minimal consistency in how virtual/remote internships were conducted. Using a cross-sectional design, this study aimed to summarize the experiences of RT/TR interns during the COVID-19 outbreak and assess their perceived competency in the NCTRC Job Task domains. A quantitative survey was developed for interns to self-assess their perceived competence in the ten domains. Interns reported being concerned about fi nishing their internship and graduating yet were satisfi ed with the amount of support received from their site and faculty supervisors. Interns perceived their highest competency in the areas of professional relationships and awareness and advocacy. Concerns are discussed regarding the inconsistent nature of remote internships during COVID-19, as well as implications for the profession and suggestions for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With there being a nine-and-a-half percent increase in prevalence of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) among children in the U.S. over nine years (i.e., 2009-2017; Zablotsky et al., 2019), the number of adults with IDD in our communities is growing and there is great potential for CTRS to produce multi-level and infl uential opportunities, outcomes, and benefits for adults with IDD through therapeutic recreation (TR) services in community-based settings. However, community-based settings is not a well-represented employment setting among CTRSs in the U.S. Th is mixed methods study aimed to identify best practices, barriers, and facilitators CTRSs experience when providing TR services to adults with IDD in community-based settings, as well as to examine how COVID has impacted TR service delivery and ideas for future provision of virtual TR services among these CTRSs. A total of 278 CTRSs across the country who work with adults with IDD in community-based settings completed a Qualtrics survey and 15 of these CTRS completed a follow-up, individual interview. Integrated data analysis revealed widespread impacts of COVID, lack of use of evidence-based practice, lack of involvement in evidence-based practice research, and need for standardized assessment and use of evidence-based practice to increase billing for TR services. Important implications for TR service delivery among adults with IDD in community-based settings were revealed, as well as directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mission of the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) is to promote, stimulate, and encourage legislative mandates, professional preparation, advocacy, and research in physical activity, physical education, and recreation for individuals with disabilities (www.ncpeid.org). NCPEID has significant historical, current, and future impact on shaping the direction of physical education and physical activity for individuals with disabilities. It was founded in 1975 with the vision of quality personnel preparation, research/demonstration, and service related to adapted physical activity. A 29-question online NCPEID Membership Survey was designed to focus on NCPEID members' beliefs, subjective norms, and intentions toward their membership within NCPEID, as well as their attendance of the annual NCPEID conference. There were 69 participants that completed the survey. Descriptive stats were analyzed, and results indicated the main reasons to engage in NCPEID membership included the Adapted Physical Education National Standards exam, subscription to the academic journal Palaestra, access to resources, and advocacy. Important improvement and consideration recommendations for NCPEID included updating resources, expanding virtual conference opportunities, and establishing a mentorship program. To continue to shape the direction of physical activity for individuals with disabilities, NCPEID should consider these recommendations to best benefit the membership and profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fieldwork and clinical supervision are vital to the growth and development of students during their Recreational Therapy (RT) education. However, restrictions on in-person instruction and suspended access to clinical agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic challenged educators to find new ways to provide these experiences. This retrospective program evaluation describes a virtual RT fieldwork and clinical supervision program, and assesses its effectiveness. Undergraduate students (n = 17) and RT clinical supervisors (n = 17) matched into dyads met virtually for one hour weekly over the course of 10 weeks. Data from separate student and clinical supervisor surveys were analyzed using frequency counts and thematic review. Findings suggest both students and clinical supervisors found value in this virtual fieldwork and clinical supervision program. Suggestions for program improvement/development as well as implications for RT education are discussed with emphasis placed on ways technology can expand opportunities for RT fieldwork and clinical supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increasing attention among allied professions, clinical supervision within therapeutic recreation remains an under-researched topic. This has left the field with limited knowledge regarding the status of clinical supervision received by recreation therapists. Just one study has examined clinical supervision in RT (Jones & Anderson, 2004) and found that most recreation therapists were not receiving or giving clinical supervision. The purpose of this study was to gain a current understanding of the status of clinical supervision in TR/RT. An online survey yielded a response of 954 recreation therapists. Results indicated that most in TR/RT are not receiving or giving clinical supervision, which has worsened in the last 17 years. The majority of respondents indicated that they had not received training in clinical supervision, noted many barriers to supervision, and a need for training. Recommendations to increase access to clinical supervision as well as needs for future research are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent and young adults with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the severe to moderate functioning range were recruited for this study in Serbia and the United States (U.S.). A total of ten participants, five from each respective country, participated in a 15-week equine-assisted therapy (EAT) intervention that utilized ground-based learning through a manualized program approach. The purpose of the study was to test the effects of a manualized 15-week EAT intervention on the social functioning of individuals with severe to moderate ASD across two cultures using a single subject research design. Nine out of 10 participants displayed improved social functioning over the course of the 15-week EAT intervention in both cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]