Content area
Full Text
Abstract
This article describes an approach and rationale for assessment in therapeutic recreation that is strengths-based and person-centered. Strengths-based assessment is grounded in the ecological approach, the social model of disability, and therapeutic recreation practice models that emphasize both leisure and functional ability with outcomes of well-being (e.g., Flourishing through Leisure Model, Leisure and Well-Being Model). Contrasted with assessment processes and tools that focus on finding people's problems, strengths-based assessments help participants and practitioners discover strengths such as interests, preferences, talents, dreams, goals, and aspirations. A sampling of assessment tools is presented that focus on peoples strengths, well-being, and life quality, as well as tap into their environmental resources.
Keywords: Assessment, strengths approach, well-being, leisure, functional ability, therapeutic recreation, recreational therapy
Assessment is the cornerstone of the therapeutic recreation process. Its importance in establishing the helping relationship with participants and influencing the course of action cannot be overstated. Assessment begins the relationship-building process, provides baseline information for understanding outcomes from services, provides direction to the plan, ensures person-centered services, facilitates team collaboration, and meets professional standards of practice (Anderson & Heyne, 2012a; Austin, 2009; burlingame & Blaschko, 2010; Stumbo, 2002; Stumbo & Peterson, 2009).
Historically, assessment in therapeutic recreation has been couched in a deficitsbased approach. The focus of assessment has been on a participant's deficits, problems, or diagnoses (ATRA, 2009; burlingame & Blaschko, 2010; Stumbo & Peterson, 2009). The problem-oriented or deficits-based approach has as its main purpose the identification of problems and prescribed interventions for the amelioration of those problems. In the problem or deficits approach, even though assessment may focus on strengths as well as deficits, the information gathered is used to correct what is "wrong" with a person. The therapeutic recreation specialist works with the person to fix the identified problems using interventions focused on those problems. The Specialist may use a participant's strengths to help address the problem, but the nature of the helping relationship is defined by problems. A deficits-oriented approach to assessment sets the medical model into motion, where participants are typically viewed as problems needing to be "fixed."
New research findings in "positive science" (Lopez & Snyder, 2003; Saleeby, 2006) are challenging the medical model as the dominant approach to the helping relationship. Empirical findings suggest...