Dementia Practice Guidelines

ATRA is holding a Dementia Practice Guidelines class at Bay Pines VA Medical Center in July. Check out the ATRA website. http://www.atra-online.com/

ATRA Annual Conference Update

Received an email from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) today.

If you're an ATRA member, then you probably received the same email.

ATRA posted that people can pre-regisger for the upcoming annual conference at this link:

http://atra-online.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=68

ATRA also posted information for vendors. Many people who read this blog may be interested in some of these services. You can send flyers and handouts to ATRA for a fairly good price. You can set up a booth if you have products and/ or services that recreational therapists and allied professionals would be interested in buying.


http://atra-online.com/associations/10488/files/2010AnnualVendorReg.pdf

ATRA - New List Serv

Recreational therapists --

I highly recommend that you join the new list serv for recreational therapists by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association with OK University.

There have been constant updates.

I posted my first question today by sending an email to the list serve. I asked for people from N.C., N.H., O.K., or Utah to contact me regarding the process for obtaining state licensure in Rec Therapy. Several recreational therapists in W.Va. are wanting to start this process.

Received emails from two people from two different states who are interested in presenting. This is wonderful news. The list-serv is going to work wonders for recreational therapists in our field.

All you have to do is:


Send email to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.OKSTATE.EDU
In first line of message: type “SUBSCRIBE ATRANET-L”

Here are the main rules:


RULES:

1. Only subscribers may post on ATRAnet. This will cut back on spam, viruses, etc.

2. Attachments must be smaller than 250K. It is suggested that you type the majority of text in email and send
attachment to individual users.

3. We do not allow advertising with the exception of information that could be useful to other subscribers for
practice, educational or research purposes.

4. All subscribers must be respectful of other members in the course of dialogue.
ATRA and Oklahoma State have the right to remove individuals from ATRAnet if a person violates the rules.

Here is a pdf link for all information:

http://www.atra-online.com/associations/10488/files/ATRAnet_P-P.pdf

Opportunity for College Students in Rec Therapy/ Therapeutic Rec.

College students in a Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy degree program can apply for a student scholarship to attend the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s 2010 conference. It is called the “Peg Connolly Scholarship,” which is named in honor of the first President of ATRA, Dr. Peg Connolly. This year’s conference will be in Spokane, Washington this year. Applicants must be a student-member of ATRA in order to be considered.

Here is a link for the application. Please tell college students in RT/TR degree programs about this opportunity.

http://atra-online.com/associations/10488/files/PegConnolly2010.pdf

I, Danny Pettry had won one of the 8 Peg Connolly Scholarship awards in 2004 while I was a graduate student in Recreational Therapy. I had an opportunity to go to the conference which was in Kansas City, Missouri that year. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet many recreational therapists across the United States and around the world. I still keep in touch with many of these people today by email.

ATRA stays the same.

Results were tallied and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) will keep the same name. The vote to change the name to the American Recreational Therapy Association did not pass.

Many of you know that I had been a strong supporter and advocator for the name change.

Only 23% of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) members voted. So, that is almost one in four. A total of 60% of the people who voted said, “no,” they don’t want the name to change. It appears that my vote was with the minority group.

Fully accept the results.

I consider myself a “Recreational Therapist” at work. My position is called a Recreational/ Activities Therapist at the psychiatric facility that I work at. New physician just started working on the unit. He usually refers to me as “the good therapist.” Yes, I am a therapist, a recreational therapist to be more specific. I sign “recreational therapist” as the “person responsible” for facilitating interventions to help the patient meet her (or his) goals on their treatment plan. Of course, I use my “CTRS” credential, too.

Noticed that the major advocacy for our profession has been with the ATRA: Recreational Therapy Medicare Project. Tons of work and dedication had went into this project. Many recreational therapists donated time and money. They had written letters to their representatives. I personally went to D.C. with my another recreational therapist to talk to our state Representatives and to ask them to co-sign a letter to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to request them to acknowledge in their manual that “Recreational Therapy” is a covered service in three in-patient settings: rehab, psych, and skilled nursing. Of course, it already was covered in all three settings, but some places weren’t offering recreational therapy services because providers were afraid that it wasn’t covered. They didn’t want to be required to pay any money back for services that aren’t covered. As a result, many Medicare beneficiaries weren’t receiving recreational therapy services.

We met this goal. CMS has agreed to specifically list “Recreational Therapy” in their manual as a covered service for these three settings (when medically necessary and prescribed by a physician). I work in an in-patient psychiatric facility, so, this is definitely good news to me. I doubt that this would have been changed had it not been for the “Recreational Therapy Medicare Project.”

Big initiatives like this are needed to continue to move our profession forward. The change in the CMS manual could influence other third-party payers and private insurance companies to change their manual, too. They may decide that if CMS is listing Rec. therapy then they should, too.

I don’t think they’re going to list “Therapeutic Recreation” in their manuals. Many activities can have therapeutic benefits. Journaling for me is very therapeutic. Painting is therapeutic for me, too. Taking a nature walk, taking a bath, scrapbook, talking to a friend, and reading a good novel are all very therapeutic for me. However, they are not therapy. They’re just activities that are therapeutic.

Providing recreation and leisure services for people with disabilities is wonderful. Glad to see people proving these services. Makes me smile. Pleased to know they’re getting services. These are just recreation activities. And yes, they’re very therapeutic in nature.

Healthcare is expensive. People want outcomes. It’s vital for the profession to be outcome based. Having “happy, feel good activities” is wonderful. It’s great. However, it isn’t outcome based and it isn’t specifically designed to bring about an outcome, which is needed for a healthcare setting.

In order to be therapy, they need to have several components, which are more related with recreational therapy (RT). This includes: individualized assessment to identify strengths and areas of needed improvement, planning with the patient/ client, providing specific interventions to help the patient to meet his areas of needed improvement, and evaluating the outcomes. I personally provide all these things myself as the RT, including the interventions. However, I also plan and develop recreation activities for the patients that are facilitated by mental health technicians during the evenings and weekends. They provide these activities for the patients. These recreation activities have therapeutic qualities to them.

Reminders for recreational therapists

Here are two quick reminders:

1.) Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists can vote for the Board of Directors at the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. All of the candidates are highly qualified. I don’t know any of them personally, but I think any of them would be competent for the board of directors. I’m glad we have them running. I did a facebook search on each of the board directors and added a few of them as friends.

Here is the NCTRC link:

http://www.nctrc.org

# 2. Our association is voting to change their name to the American Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA) on Dec. 4th. (I think the voting period will last at least a week).
You must be a member of the association to vote on this change. If you’ve not done so already, join the association so you’ll be able to vote.

Here is the Association’s Link:

http://www.atra-online.com

ATRA Newsletter!

Dear fellow Recreational Therapists,

The latest ATRA newsletter is out! Go to the ATRA page and log-in to read it.

If you're not already done so, then I highly encourage you to become a member of the leading association for us, recreational therapists. I'm a member.

Here is the link for the newsletter below. I always enjoy reading the ATRA newsletter. Several of the pictures from the annual conference in MN shown in the newsletter were taken by me.

Link for newsletter:

http://atra.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=29

your friend,

Danny.

P.S. I'm an ATRA addict. I love our association!

7 Reasons Why We Should Make The Change to the American Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA) Now!

I, [Danny Pettry] openly support the proposed name change to the American Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA).

Regardless, if the association changes the name or not, I, [Danny Pettry] will continue to be an active member because it is the leading association representing, us, recreational therapists.

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), [which, I’m a good-standing member] motioned to change the name to the American Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA) at the membership meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Oct. 2009).

There will be an electronic vote around December 4th, 2009. First, you must be a member of our association in order to vote. If you’re not a member then, I, Danny Pettry invite you to join the leading association representing us, recreational therapists.

Click here to join the assocation (if you're not a member already).

Here's A Quick Way To Earn More Recognition And Start Being Identified With Our Allied Professionals:
Change Our Association to ARTA!

7 Reasons Why We Should Make The Change

Please note that the terms “Therapeutic Recreation” and “Recreational Therapy” mean the same thing. There is no difference in services. The words are used interchangeably. The change will not eliminate services or leave anyone excluded.

Reason # 1: ARTA Supports the mission of the association. The associations’ mission is to: serve as a member-driven association that collectively supports the recreational therapy profession. The vision is to be the premiere professional membership association representing recreational therapists, consumers and stakeholders. It helps identify as, “Recreational Therapists.”

Reason # 2: ARTA is Easier to explain. Recreational therapist/ therapy is easier to remember compared to therapeutic recreation specialists, (based on my personal experiences). , I explain how, recreational therapy, is different from, recreational activities.

Of course, we, rec therapists, already know that we’re systematically using recreation as a vehicle to achieve a pre-determined outcome according to a patient/ client’s need.Sometimes,

I’ll continue, by sharing how, physical therapy is a lot different from physical activities. Just the same, recreational therapy is a lot different from recreational activities. It is easier for me to explain it this way.Sometimes, I'll use the word, "care."

Many people can provide "care," However, it is very different from nursing care provided by a RN. Again, many people can provide recreation activities. However, it is very different from recreational therapy, which is provided by a rec. therapist. As, you're already aware, rec therapy is a process: assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Of course, I don't need to tell you, "the rec therapist," what we do.

Reason # 3: ARTA is uses terminology that is Recognized by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Department of Labor idenfies us, as “Recreational Therapists” in the main title in their 2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook. They say the term: “therapeutic recreation specialist” is used interchangeably with the term, “recreational therapist.” I’m certain they consulted with professionals to develop the job description.

Reason # 4: ARTA is Similar to our allied professionals.

Here are 11 examples:

AART – American Association for Respiratory Therapy

APTA – American Physical Therapy AssociationAOTA – American Occupational Therapy Association

AATA – American Art Therapy Association

AMTA – American Massage Therapy Association

AMTA – American Music Therapy Association

ATA – American Therapy Association

ADTA – American Dance Therapy Association

AHTA – American Horticulture Therapy Association

APA – American Psychotherapy Association

AFTA – American Family Therapy Association

We’re already aware that there are therapeutic uses for art, message, dance, and horticulture, etc. However, their associations do not use the terminology:Therapeutic Dance AssociationTherapeutic Art AssociationTherapeutic Horticulture AssociationThere is an interesting book titled,“Therapeutic Modalities for Physical Therapists.”It is written by: William E. Prentice, PhD, PT, ATC.How productive would it be if the Physical Therapists were to call their association, The Therapeutic Physical Modalities Association?As a recreational therapist, I personally feel that using the term Therapeutic Recreation is counterproductive. I think it is hindering us as a profession opposed to helping us achieve our mission and vision.

Reason # 5: ARTA would be in alignment with Public Policy for our profession. The last major public policy project for the association was the Recreational Therapy: Medicare Project. The association met this goal. There is a group of people on the “Recreational Therapy – Public Policy Team (formerly known as the Recreational Therapy Medicare Project Tea)

Reason # 6: ARTA is who we are. In general, we’re known as “recreational therapists.” People who I work with identify me as the “rec therapist.” I think the name change would help identify, us, as a professional organization for recreational therapists. I was recently in contact with an individual who had won a community – therapeutic recreation specialist award. I emailed her and asked if she referred to herself as a recreational therapist or a therapeutic recreation specialist. She told me that she still referred to herself as a “Rec therapist.” The majority of us do.

Reason # 7: ARTA is more in aligned with real purpose of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

- NCTRC’s (2009) vision is: To be publically recognized as the largest international body of certified therapeutic recreation specialists to provide recreation therapy services.

- NCTRC’s (2004) scope of practice is for “recreation therapy.”NCTRC (2007) identifies their position on legal regulation for the practice of “Recreation Therapy.”NCTRC’s (2004) brochure, “Why hire a CTRS?” says “Recreation therapy” along the side and the first question inside of the brochure is, “What is Recreation therapy?” It goes on to explain the need for Certified Recreational Therapists.


Reason # 7.5: Note that ARTA is also supported by Leaders in our profession. I’m aware of several people who’ve publically identified that they support the change. These people include:

- David Austin: founding member and past president of the association and he’s written numerous articles and texts for the profession.

- Peg Connolly: founding member and first president of the association

- Ray West: past-president of the association and he helped to develop the standards of practice for our profession

- Thom Skalko: past-president and he is the leader in public policy.

- Frank Brasile: past-president of the association


Regardless, if the association changes the name or not, I, [Danny Pettry] will continue to be an active member because it is the leading association representing, us, recreational therapists.

ARTA?

Picture taken by Danny Pettry Oct. 2009.

My good friend, Kari Kensinger, (ATRA Member-at-Large) asked: "Should ATRA change its name to ARTA? What do you think? Why?" There is going to be a vote in Dec. 2009. Of course, you must be a member of the association to vote. I encourage you to click here to join the association if you've not done so already.



I support the proposed name change to the American Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA).

In general, we’re known as “recreational therapists.” People who I work with identify me as a “rec. therapists.” I think the name change would help identify, us, as professional recreational therapists.

Recreational therapist is easier to remember compared to therapeutic recreation specialists, (based on my personal experiences).

Recreational therapist sounds similar to other therapists. Here are some examples: physical therapists, vocational therapists, respiratory therapists, etc.

I had told my colleagues at work that I was going to attend the “Rec Therapy” conference (opposed to ATRA conference) in Minneapolis before leaving.

I had recently written a self-improvement book for teens and young adults. I identified myself as a “Recreational Therapist” on the cover of the book.

The certification board is a separate entity from ATRA, as we already know. I think it is interesting to note that the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is using “Rec Therapy” more often in their literature when they identify, us, as professionals. Here are three examples:

NCTRC’s (2004) scope of practice is for “recreation therapy.”

NCTRC (2007) identifies their position on legal regulation for the practice of “Recreation Therapy.”

NCTRC’s (2004) brochure, “Why hire a CTRS?” says “Recreation therapy” along the side and the first question inside of the brochure is, “What is Recreation therapy?” It goes on to explain the need for Certified Recreational Therapists.

I understand that some ATRA-members are afraid that “recreation” being first might confuse us as being "recreational providers."

I use a similar comparison at work when describing, how, recreational therapy, is different from, recreational activities. Of course, we, rec therapists, already know that we’re systematically using recreation as a vehicle to achieve a pre-determined outcome according to a patient/ client’s need.

Sometimes, I’ll continue, by sharing how, physical therapy is a lot different from physical activities. Just the same, recreational therapy is a lot different from recreational activities. It is easier for me to explain it this way.

Sometimes, I'll use the word, "care." Many people can provide "care," However, it is very different from nursing care provided by a RN. Again, many people can provide recreation activities. However, it is very different from recreational therapy, which is provided by a rec. therapist. As, you're already aware, rec therapy is a process: assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Of course, I don't need to tell you, "the rec therapist," what we do.

Regardless, if the name changes or if it does not change, I’ll continue to support the association. It is the leading association that represents, us, recreational therapists.

Ultimately, I'd like to see more recreational therapists join our association.


Online Sources:
http://www.nctrc.org/documents/NCTRC%20Scope%20of%20Practice%202004.pdf

http://www.nctrc.org/documents/NCTRCLegalRecognitionPaper.doc

http://www.nctrc.org/documents/65145_Hire_web.pdf

Join ATRA!

American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) is a membership organization made up of recreational therapists. It’s a group of leaders, advocates, and movers in the profession. This association represents the members and promotes recreational therapy as a treatment modality. It focuses on research, education, and advocates for our services. I’m glad to say that I am a member of this amazing association.

Kansas City, Missouri was the birthplace of ATRA. Twenty-five years ago (in 1984) a group of 50 dedicated recreational therapists had put down their own money to start this association. Many people smoked cigarettes in the 80s. There is a common story of the smoked-filled room at a hotel in Kansas City where the organization started. By the end of the first year the association had grown from 50 to 350.

Of course, I was only 4-years-old in ’84. Today, I’m 29-years-old. The association is only 25-years-old. I’m a professional recreational therapist and I’m very fortunate for the founding fathers and “mothers” of ATRA. I’m very pleased that they got together to start this association.

ATRA probably doesn’t have more than 2,000 professional members in the association. I’m very discouraged by this number. The last I heard, there were about 16,000 recreational therapists who held the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. We’re a very small profession compared to other occupations. In example, there are nearly 2.5 million nurses working in the United States.

I’m not an official spokesperson or representative for ATRA. I’m just a member and I love the association. I encourage other recreational therapists to join. It’s an organization that is funded by, us, recreational therapists. If you’ve not done so already, I invite you to join ATRA. I think it would be just cost of just one cup of coffee a day.

Go to this link to join:

http://www.atra-online.com/registernewmembers.cfm

New ATRA Board

Hi, I’m Danny Pettry and I’m an ATRA addict, too! I love being a recreational therapist more than anything else in the world. It brings me great pleasure. I am so grateful for the grassroots efforts that were taking place in our profession before I was even born. I’m so grateful for my professional organization, ATRA. It’s reassuring to know that I’m a member of an organization that advocates for us, recreational therapists.

Here are the election results:

The new president is Missy Armstrong.
The president-elect is Mary Ann Aquardro
The treasurerer is Lisa Morgan

Here are the members at large:

Tim Passmore, Kari Kensinger, Stephanie Courtney, and Ramon Zabriskie.

Oh yeah, and the secretary is Heather Sedletzeck.

As always, I’m going to keep my membership with ATRA. However, I’ve decided, I want to do more for the profession. I’m going to help ATRA in any way that I can. Someday, I may try to become a member-at-large for ATRA.

Additional Note:
I did meet two people at the conference who had received a pin from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) to acknowledge these outstanding recreational therapists who have held the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential for 25 years!