Developmental Disabilities

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Recreational Respite prides itself on individualizing program designs that sets goals and objectives for any individual to promote inclusion while focusing on personal independence, community participation, life enjoyment and enrichment through recreational programs. Recreation programming creates stimulating environments that can create new and existing interests and social relationships, either in a one to one setting or a community based setting (see ourRecreACTIVEprogram listing below, for more information). Our programs will contribute positively to the mental, physical, social and emotional development and well being.

Our programs can positively influence the quality of life for any individual with developmental disability (but not limited to):

• Down syndrome
• Fragile X syndrome
• Sensory related disabilities
• Degenerative disorders
• Mitochondrial disease
• Autism spectrum disorders

Benefits of therapeutic recreation programming:

• Increase stimulation and focus, thus reduce challenging behaviours
• Develop healthy attitudes, behaviours and self-esteem
• Develop abilities that promote independence, structure and life skills

Recreational Respite now offers inclusive small group recreation programming calledRecreACTIVE. Recreational programs have been shown to benefit both individuals with a disability and their caregivers. Individual benefits include peer support in a similarly-abled social group, maintenance of existing skills with a regular routine and the opportunity to explore new and stimulating activities. Together, these help alleviate boredom and engage clients in meaningful learning experiences. For the caregivers, recreational programming can provide much needed respite, as well as creative new ways to connect with their loved ones.

Our program can provide a short term or long term solution for engagement levels and development of new recreational interests. See programs available, listed below.

RecreACTIVE programs: Developmental Disabilities

Click here for our programs book now available: RecreACTIVE Programs and Guide

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND DONATION

The targeted benefits:

• individualized meaning to the participant
• Gain or regain an active role in society and community
• Empowerment and a sense of worth and role
• Provide an opportunity to improve cognitive function and stimulation
• Provide an opportunity for social interaction and reduce isolation and boredom

Community Outreach and Donation Projects offers a truly unique approach to giving back to a community that participants otherwise may not have been able to contribute because of physical limitations, cognitive impairments or simply, accessibility. Our program has been designed to encourage it’s participants to choose a charity (or many) in which they would like to support (short or long term). Our recreation therapist will then help drive the goal of the project and support the vision through initial contact, encouragement and direction of the project and the final implementation. Giving individualized meaning to the participant, an active role in society, empowerment and a sense of worth and role.
The projects may include (but are not limited to) such contributions through craft and art, resource search and find, raising awareness efforts through bake sales or goods collections and much more!

COMPUTERS

The targeted benefits:

• Improve motor skills, memory and mental agility
• Gain independence and social connectivity
• Provide an opportunity to improve cognitive function and stimulation
• Provide an opportunity for social interaction and reduce isolation and boredom

LifeLong Learning program is aimed at offering a supportive environment in which learning to use a computer creates greater connections and convenience, and opens up new opportunities for learning, belonging and staying vital.

Creative Projects and Extended Interests allows participants, with skillful assistance of our team member to take part in the creation of multiple digital projects on their computer beyond the basics of web browsing. Some of the programs include: calendars, electronic greeting cards online newsletters and more.

Resourceful One: there is nothing better than having control over your own decisions and being knowledgeable and resourceful enough to make them. This program will provide an opportunity to teach participants how to find resources they are searching for on the internet with the assistance and guidance they need. Each participant is encouraged to bring a list to each class of supports or services they would like to explore. The program will also offer a list of useful sites pertinent to general interest as well as the participants specific needs such as: information on health or health care services, travel, shopping, recipes, finance support and more.

CREATIVE ARTS

The targeted benefits:

• Increase self expression, empowerment and creativity
• Decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Nurture the sense of belonging through team approaches
• Strengthen abilities and develop new skills
• Develop new relationships
• Creative movement, using music and rhythm

Rhythmic Round Circle a Recreation Therapist will conduct the participants to follow a rhythmic pattern using an assortment of instruments. The participants will be challenged to build on each rhythm, using a combination of different tempos, stimulating concentration and focus. Participants will be encouraged to lead a portion of the program, and direct thr group’s rhythmical sequence. The music will include a variety of styles, but all tunes that most participants will be familiar with to inspire further participation by singing along. Traditional and non traditional instruments will be used for creativity and inspiration.

Fine Arts involves various painting projects that will provide many avenues for
stimulating creativity and expression of feelings through the range of colors, shapes, and brush strokes involved in its process, and the diverse nature of images which can be created. Discussion about the content of a painting can also become detailed and meaningful.

Theatre programs are designed to strengthen abilities and develop new skills, build confidence, broaden the range of expression of feelings, experience positive interactions and develop new
relationships. This fun and highly interactive program offers an opportunity to learn various aspects of theatre such as: dialogue, monologue and improvisation through music and props.

EXERCISE
Better Balance

The targeted benefits:

• Improve and maintain physical strength, mobility and ability
• Improve and maintain weight-bearing strength
• Increase endurance and reduce fatigue

Participants will be challenged to complete a higher impact exercise and movement program . The Recreation Therapist will encourage each participant complete a series of cardiovascular, balance, coordination, strength and stretching exercies that will not only improve their overall physical strength and health, but improve their functional ability to move around and complete their day to day tasks (ie. Using the stairs, or getting in and out of the bath tub). Participants will also attempt a series of patterned and sequencing exercise that will stimulate both their physical and cognitive ability. You must be able to walk independently or with any assistive device, to attend this program. A variety of light weight exercise program enchancers will be introduced and used for additional resistance.

Flex-Ability

The targeted benefits:

• Maintain proper and healthy circulation and blood flow
• Reduce pain and muscle stiffness/shortening
• Improve and maintain flexibility and joint function

Participants will be fully engaged in exercise and movement without stress or strain on the body. Following the instructions and cues of the Recreation Therapist, participants will be encouraged to progress through a variety of joint movements, gently stretching and strengthening the muscles around them. They will be challenged to keep up with changing movement patterns and sequences, working major joints in the body for functional fitness.

Fun and Fitness

The targeted benefits:

• Provide education about functional fitness and activities of daily living
• Increase and maintain cognitive stimulation
• Improve and maintain physical strength and ability

Participants will be challenged to complete a low impact exercise and movement program . The Recreation Therapist will encourage each participant complete a series of cardiovascular, coordination, strength and stretching exercies that will not only improve their overall physical strength and health, but improve their functional ability to move around and complete their day to day tasks (ie. Getting out of bed or getting out of a chair). Participants will also attempt a series of patterned and sequencing exercise that will stimulate both their physical and cognitive ability. If you have never taken an exercise class before, or would like to build some strength and endurance before taking the Better Balance Program, this class is for you. A variety of light weight exercise program enchancers will be introduced and used for additional resistance.

Moving to Music

The targeted benefits:

• Provide an opportunity for creative expression through movement
• Reduce pain, joint and muscle stiffness
• Increase and maintain cognitive stimulation

Participants will be fully engaged in exercise and movement using rhythm and music. Following the instructions and cues of the Recreation Therapist, participants will be encouraged to progress through a variety motions to the beat of the music provided. They will be challenged to keep up with changing rhythms and tempos, and keep time with the internal beat of their heart. The music will include a variety of styles, but all tunes that most participants will be familiar with to inspire further participation by singing along. Non traditional exercise program enhancers will be used for added value, and to provide some sensory stimulation.

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

The targeted benefits:

• Increase and maintain active living and recreation participation
• Empower individuals to make safe and healthy choices regarding health
• develop safe and healthy behaviours and habits

The Wellness Workshop is a leisure education programs aimed at providing information, and teaching skills and techniques to support a healthy active lifestyle. Participants will learn essential tips regarding nutrition, hydration, footwear and footcare, as well as indoor and outdoor environmental hazards and safety.
This program is offered in conjunction with all exercise and fitness programs. It is designed for people looking to enhance and elevate their active leisure lifestyle, or requiring knowlegde and information about healthy living. Participants will be invited to partake and learn about various components that effect our health, especially as it relates to active living. Maintaining an active lifestyle will be a key message to the group, as it has been proven beneficial to one complete physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual health. Sessions will include such topics as nutrition, hydration, footwear, and footcare, and participants will be empowered to make key lifestyle changes to enhance their overall well-being.

LITERARY ARTS

The targeted benefits:

• Increase and maintain cognitive, creative and recreational stimulation
• Record and celebrate one’s life and create an avenue for reminiscing
• Provide an opportunity for learning
• Encourage independence and empowerment

Literary Lovers is aimed at increasing and maintaining mental stimulation with reading. This program is designed for people who love reading and various types of literature, but are having difficulty maintaining their passion due to memory impairment or communication disorders. This program will teach participants about a various literary styles, as well as tools and techniques for searching and sorting through literary content ie: articles of review. Participants will be fully engaged in reading and learning, reviewing and discussing different literary styles and their components. This program will include short readings along with discussion questions. Participants will be shown various techniques to think critically and summarize content for reading comprehension, and share their thoughts, feelings, connections, likes and dislikes. The program will also take a look at various literary formats, and share new technology with participants.

Reading Cirlce is aimed at creating an environment for mental stimulation using reading. Participants will engage in and share the experience of reading in a group setting, and provide an opportunity for creative expression, social interaction and reminiscing. Participants will fully engage in the reading program, each taking a turn to read a passage from the selected material. Embedded in the stories will be questions asking participants to share their comments on the stories, and their memories related to the story’s topic.

Memoir Writing offers the opportunity to record and celebrate one’s life and create an avenue for reminiscing. This program will provide the opportunity to have a written account of one’s life journey which will be cherished for generations to come. Participants will have a chance to validate as well as celebrate life accomplishments, increase social interactions, sense of self, confidence and positive
engagement

Journal Writing offers an opportunity to record day to day events and reflection, to
record specific memories, to release stress and explore your emotions. This program offers
participants various techniques to help encourage independence in their own care managing or
simple day to day reflection.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The targeted benefits:

• New skill development and creativity
• Personal growth and insight and creative artistic statements

Photography provides both enjoyment, new skill development and creativity. It allows for personal growth and insight and creative artistic statements.
The program will focus on the basics of digital photography and the use of Photoshop to crop, edit and save your photo’s. Participants will be encouraged to offer peer to peer support and share what they have learned as a group, or individually.
*Participants will need to bring their own digital camera (and instruction booklet) to every class*

STRESS AND RELAXATION

The targeted benefits:

• Increase and maintain energy and vitality and maintain stress relief
• Reduce and relieve muscular tension, and anxious or depressed feelings
• Increase and maintain mental focus and concentration
• Improve circulation and immune functioning

Free Your Mind is aimed at increasing and maintaining mental concentration and focus using relaxation. This program is designed for people who are in need of an escape from the day to day stresses of mental and/or physical impairment. Participants will practice a variety of creative techniques for stress relief and stress management that will inspire their senses. Participants will be fully engaged in relaxation exercises without stress or strain on the body. Following the instructions and cues of the Recreation Therapist, participants will be encouraged to progress through a variety of relaxation techniques and movements, stimulating both mental concentration and physical focus.

Refresh and Restore is aimed at increasing and maintaining stress relief and stress management. Participants will practice a variety of creative and inspiring techniques including deep breathing, visualization, and stretching. Participants will be fully engaged in relaxation exercises without stress or strain on the body. Following the instructions and cues of the Recreation Therapist, participants will be encouraged to progress through a variety of relaxation techniques and movements, stimulating both mental concentration and physical focus.