"Have some fun!"  I say this often as a departing salutation, and sometimes in return I get some rather perplexed looks from the recipients.  It's odd to consider having fun sometimes when people are not having a great day or going to an unfavorable activity, or tackling life middle of a pandemic.  But think about the last time you were having 'fun'.  In that moment, did you feel like the best version of yourself?  Did it help propel you through a difficult undertaking?  Did it release some pent up frustration or worry? Did you smile? Maybe even just a tiny bit? For a little while? I hope so!

Today I am talking with Deana Rutherford, Breakthrough's resident Recreation Therapist of nearly 10 years about the benefits of recreation therapy and community engagement for adults on the autism spectrum.  We will also discuss how community engagement can look for different personality types and abilities.

Therapeutic Recreation is a systemic process that uses recreation and other activities as interventions to address needs of an individual AND as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.  YES!  It can even be used to enhance motor, social, cognitive functioning, build confidence and integrated those skills learned in the treatment setting into the community setting.

MESSAGE: There is something here for everyone on the call today. "Just because we reach adulthood, it does not mean that recreation just goes away--and it's not all about play time, bingo and walks in the park."

Talk to you soon,

Kendrise Colebrooke