Please note that this is a tentative schedule designed to give participants an idea of what to expect at the 2016 Therapeutic Recreation Symposium for the Southwest (TRSSW). All times and dates listed here are subject to change. A more detailed final schedule will be published in the TRSSW symposium packet. ATRA CEUs are pending approval.
Thursday, November 10
12:00 – 1:30Registration
12:30 – 2:00Opening Keynote Session
Should We Stay or Should We Go? Master’s Degree as Entry Level into Therapeutic Recreation
Teresa Beck, PhD, CTRS, Grand Valley State University
There has been intermittent discussion in the therapeutic recreation profession as to whether entrance into the profession should stay at the baccalaureate level or be increased to the master’s level. Many allied health science professions are already at the master’s or clinical doctorate level and others are considering a master’s degree (i.e. music therapy). Physical therapy assistant is currently an associate’s degree, but the profession is considering moving its entry level requirement to a bachelor’s degree. With this “credential creep”, what does the therapeutic recreation profession need to do to maintain and or grow its presence in health and human services.
2:15 – 3:45Concurrent Sessions
Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue
James Turnage, M.A, LPC-S & Michael Parker, PhD, Tarrant County MHMR
The audience will gain an understanding of the signs of compassion fatigue for recreational therapists and those in the helping professions and will learn how to transform their work to compassion satisfaction. Participants will learn a simple 3 step method to prevent compassion fatigue through awareness, balance, and connection.
RT/TR: A Unique and Empowering Therapy for Individuals with Life Limiting Illness
Lisa Frazior, CTRS, Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
With the growth and advancement of Palliative Care as a medical delivery model for individuals with life limiting illness, the RT/TR profession is uniquely qualified and positioned to address quality of life and promote well-being for individuals and their families during this challenging time of life. This session will address foundation knowledge of life limiting illness, trends in palliative care, assessment tools, interventions and facilitation techniques designed to meet individual patient and family needs.
The American Opiate Epidemic: The Drugs, The Disease of Addiction, and CTRS Role in Treatment of Opiate Addiction
Tara Martin MS CTRS, LRT-pending, Oklahoma State University
Heroin and prescription painkillers are taking hold of America at a rapid rate – from big cities to small rural towns. This growing epidemic increases the likelihood that regardless of population specialty, CTRS clinicians will encounter patients affected by opiate dependence and/or addiction in their career. First, this session will briefly educate CTRS clinicians on opiates and the disease of addiction. Secondly, the session will delineate the indications for RT practice through use of the Health Protection/Health Promotion Model of RT and review evidence-based practices for working with opiate addictions patients.
4:00 – 5:30Concurrent Sessions
Motivation and Outcomes for Adventure Recreation Interventions
Sandy Heath, CTRS, City of Austin & Jan Hodges PhD, CTRS, Texas State University
Based on the implementation outcomes of a senior outdoor adventure group and a climbing program for persons with developmental disabilities, this session will build a framework for the use of adventure activities for client engagement and outcomes. Examination of sensation seeking and motivational theories will serve as a framework for identifying client centered adventure interventions and strategies for implementation.
Theater as Treatment: A Drama Intervention Within a Texas Correctional Facility
Susan Burton, CTRS
This session will briefly discuss the history of theater in treatment and its specific benefits within a correctional setting and it will set the drama program within a larger framework that pays tribute to the myriad interventions offered by recreation therapists within a mental health program for inmates. Video clips from two original dramas, written by inmates in a maximum security prison in Texas, will demonstrate how drama can harness creativity of inmates by tapping into dormant strengths of cooperation and collaboration to achieve these productions.
5:30 – 6:30Social & BBQ Dinner (included in Full Registration Cost)
6:45 – 8: 15All Conference Session
Maslow’s Hierarchy Meets Leisure Ability Model: Creating a NEW Pyramid for TR Intervention
Lyn Litchke, PhD, CTRS;Tiyona Marshall, Blaire Mason, Elizabeth Livesay, Marina Garcia, Amanda Petri Graduate Students, Texas State University
This interactive session will synthesize relationship between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Leisure Ability Model with emphasis on Leisure Education Connection. This new pyramid will be explored via lecture and hands on group interaction with processing and reflection components.
Friday, November 11
8:15 – 9:45Concurrent Sessions
Building Resiliency and Therapeutic Recreation: A Natural Fit
Teresa Beck, PhD, CTRS, Grand Valley State University
Factors that promote resiliency in people are often inherent in therapeutic recreation interventions. By recognizing these factors, practitioners can be more thoughtful in intervention approaches to consciously build resiliency in their clients. .
Interactive Interventions on a Budget
Jennifer Montes, Jessica Perry, Claire Winchester, Andie Thompson, Graduate Students, Texas State University
Programming on a budget can be a challenge when your purpose is to engage adolescents in effective process learning. This session will provide an overview of ways to create interactive interventions appropriate to adolescents and to meet goals within the five domains of TR practice. This session will begin with an introduction to materials and proceed with hands on small group interactions, and end with a large group discussion and small reflection quiz.
Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through the Lens of Positive Behavior Supports: Changing Behavior through a Person-Centered, Individualized Approach
Amy Foxman, Board Certified Behavioral Analysist, Tarrant County MHMR
Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) is a person-centered, function-based approach to reducing challenging behavior. In this session participants will learn the system that embraces team collaboration, emphasizes prevention rather than reaction, and focuses on quality of life for the individual and those supporting them.
10:00 – 11:30 Concurrent Sessions
APIE: Transition from Diversion to Meaning in LTC
Randee Wood, MSRA, CTRS & Jana Russell, MSRA, CTRS, Senior Care Centers
This presentation will focus on the APIE process in Long Term Care and how to move from diversional activities to recreation therapy interventions. The assessment portion will concentrate on obtaining pertinent information from the resident, establishing a therapeutic rapport, and analyzing and interpreting the results. The planning phase will demonstrate how to create a person centered calendar where residents are given a sense of ownership. This will help to empower the residents and boost them into a state of FLOW. Implementation will emphasize effective facilitations techniques and demonstrate what a resident led activity looks like. We will look at evaluation of your program and resident engagement. Overall, this presentation will help to advocate for Recreational Therapists in Long Term Care.
Connecting the Pieces to Strengthen our Journey
Marilyn Radatz, MS, CTRS, President, American Therapeutic Recreation Association
The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is the only professional organization supporting issues pertinent to ALL recreational therapists. This session will describe current trends within the field of recreational therapy and how ATRA is uniquely positioned to aid recreational therapists as they encounter these professional issues. Attention will be given to support the uniqueness and contributions of our peers to build a stronger association through our memberships strengths. Finally, this session will highlight several reasons how all recreational therapists benefit when we all support a single mission in the advancement of our profession
11:45 – 1:15TRSSW awards banquet (Included in registration fee)
1:30 – 3:00Concurrent Sessions
Diversified Programming/Diversified Volunteers
Larry Davis, MA, CTRS, Healthcare Resort Plano
Volunteers can be a rich resource for therapeutic recreation practice. This discussion will highlight how to recruit and utilize volunteers to increase diversity within therapeutic recreation experiences and to introduce new intervention activities.
Flipping Programs: Starting with the Theory and Outcome
Jo Ann Coco-Ripp, PhD, CTRS, Winston-Salem State University
Backwards design or flipping the program uses the approach that has been successful in education for course development to design effective therapeutic recreation programs. The session will explain how to carry out the process from beginning with a “Big Idea” then move through the backwards design elements such as assumptions. Participants will have the opportunity to work through the process with their own idea. It is intended that a draft of a program design will be produced by the end of the session.(Two part session: YOU MUST attend both sessions to earn CEU credit)
3:15 – 4:45Concurrent Sessions
The “Ghost Within”, Exploring Anxiety in People with IDD through the Lens of Epigenetics and Neurobiology
James Turnage, M.A, LPC-S, Tarrant County MHMR
This session will discuss the impact that epigenetics and environment have on understanding anxiety in people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on the neurobiology of anxiety and how environmental factors can shape and change how genes are expressed. The session will also discuss how lifestyle changes, including exercise and social relationships can help to maximize optimal gene expression.
A Chance to Dance: An Adaptive Dance Program for Children
Lynn Moon Schellenberg D.M.T., Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
This workshop will demonstrate how a dance/movement program can be tailored for individuals with differing abilities. Participants will learn a variety of dance steps and how to incorporate colorful props such as puppets, scarves, stretch bands and music to enhance the creative experience. We will do this through lecture, demonstration, movement and experimental role playing.
Flipping Programs: Starting with the Theory and Outcome Continued
(Two part session: YOU MUST attend both sessions to earn CEU credit)
5:00 – 6:30Concurrent Sessions
Advocacy: Don’t Just Say It, DO IT!
Anna Broome, CTRS, Blue Sky Abilities& Nathan Williams, Advocate
Participants will get down and dirty with the self-advocacy movement! Learn the Who, What, Why, and most importantly the HOW of advocating for clients, patients and yourself! Co-presenter, Nathan Williams will share his experience as a self-advocate with a disability in Texas. The session will explore implications for the Therapeutic Recreation profession and reveal that getting involved is all up to you!
Incorporating a Behavior Analytic Approach to Recreational Therapy: Strategies for Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Multiple Settings
Amy Foxman, Board Certified Behavior Analysist & Erin Fogarty, MS, CTRS, Tarrant County MHMR
This session will address how to incorporate a behavior analytic approach to recreational therapy by discussing practical strategies for therapists. The speakers will focus on assessment, prevention strategies, teaching new behaviors and skills (including task analyses), and reinforcement. The speakers will discuss how components of behavior analysis and recreational therapy can complement one another to benefit individuals with IDD.
Bullying among Older Adults: Therapeutic Recreation Specialists Roles
M. Jean Keller, EdD, CTRS, University of North Texas
This session will actively engage participants as they discuss bullying among older adults and its prevalence in various settings where TR/RT professionals practice. Participants will define bullying, and describe older adults who bully as well as those who are bullied. Variations between bullying patterns among older men and women will be identified. Behavioral health concerns with older adults will be discussed. Interventions to reduce bullying will be highlighted.
Saturday, November 12
7:30 Continental Breakfast (included in Full Registration Cost)
8:00 – 9:30Concurrent Sessions
What Are They Really Trying to Tell You?
Allie Thomas, MSRA, CTRS & Jessica Burke, MSRA, CTRS, Texas State University
Have you ever been caught off guard and wondered how children and adolescents or even adults can pull you into a power struggle and get your blood boiling? In this session you will receive a better understanding about behaviors, addressing what a behavior may be and how to redirect and approach certain behaviors in therapeutic recreation settings. This session will allow you to think critically about communication and facilitation before a program begins and help create a safe and therapeutic environment. This will help the TR/RT professional have a better and more effective understanding in using more beneficial language and tools to redirect negative behaviors.
9:45 – 11:15Concurrent Sessions
Painting the Mind: Art Interventions for Persons with Brain Injury
Andrea Durant, CTRS, Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation
Most people have painted leisurely, but how can we use painting and art for therapy? Painting as an intervention can facilitate benefits for a person who has experienced a traumatic brain injury? This presentation will provide a framework to design an art intervention program that enhances client outcomes.
Why’s Everybody Always Picking On Me?: Professional Strategies to Help Kids “fit in”
Jessica Burke, MSRA, CTRS & Allie Thomas, MSRA, CTRS, Texas State University
Children and teens both desire and require social interactions with their peer groups but not all of our participants possess the toolsets to navigate many social situations. We often see kids left out, ignored or perhaps even picked on by their peers that, with some gentle coaching from a recreation professional, could increase their opportunities for social interactions. This session shifts away from the traditional, “some kids are just quirky” approach to thoughtful and intentional intervention on the part of the recreation professional to increase kids’ social success.