TR Model Project

Introduction

The therapeutic recreation (TR) sector has created several services that mix play, leisure, and therapy to benefit individuals with disabilities in various ways, including physical, emotional, and psychological. These services combine recreation, leisure, and treatment. Numerous TR models have been established to implement therapies beneficial to one’s health, well-being, and leisure time as quickly as possible. The main goal of this paper is to compare and contrast different TR models and show how those models can be used to help people with autism get ABA. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it hard to interact with others, act correctly, and take in sensory information (Gorycki, 2020). Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one of the most well-known therapies for persons with autism. It uses ideas from the field of behaviorism to help people improve their social, communication, and behavioral skills. This study’s objective is to conduct a landscape assessment of the TR models now available and investigate how those models may be adapted for use in the provision of Applied behavior analysis for autistic persons. Practitioners may find it helpful to learn about the many TR models and how they link to Applied behaviour analysis to personalize treatment to the particular needs of autistic persons and promote the best possible levels of health, well-being, and leisure.

Description of the disability

Autism, often known as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental illness that impacts a person’s ability to engage socially, behave appropriately, and receive sensory information. Patients who suffer from autism struggle with social contact, communication, and day-to-day tasks. The symptoms of autism may vary from being a bit bothersome to be completely incapacitating. People on the autism spectrum struggle with social interaction, the processing of sensory information, language, and nonverbal communication. Autism may make it difficult to understand body language, recognize social signs, and develop meaningful relationships with others (Gorycki, 2020). They may also repeat the same remarks repeatedly or engage in restricted activities, such as putting the same things into the same categories, to feel as if they have some degree of control over the situation. Autism is often accompanied by abnormalities in sensory processing, which may lead to heightened or decreased sensitivity to stimuli like touch, sound, or scent. Autism is a lifelong disorder that may manifest in individuals of any age. Gorycki (2020) suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental variables may be to blame for autism, even though the specific etiology of autism remains unknown. Autism is a developmental disorder often identified in young children following a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s behavior, level of development, and medical history. Early intervention is essential for people with autism because it can improve outcomes and help them function at their best. Autism may present patients and their families with a set of challenges specific to autism. Autistic persons need the necessary care and services to enhance their health, well-being, and quality of life. Individuals with autism may benefit from therapeutic recreation programs such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which may help them improve their social, behavioral, and communication skills. These programs also allow them to participate in more enjoyable leisure activities.

Description of the selected intervention

The scientific and evidence-based approach known as applied behaviour analysis may be used to teach autistic people skills and improve the behaviors that characterize their condition. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) requires teaching complex skills in a logical and controlled way and breaking them down into smaller, more approachable steps as you go along (Weiss, 2022). To get people to do what we want, we use positive reinforcement techniques like praise, rewards, or access to their favorite activities or goods. On the other hand, penalties and other forms of “negative reinforcement” stop people from doing things they shouldn’t (Weiss, 2022). ABA may be used to instruct a wide range of skills, such as communication, social interaction, academics, self-help, and even enjoyment. ABA is a valuable treatment option for people with autism, and it can potentially improve behavioral functioning, social engagement, and communication. In addition, it has been shown that ABA both encourages the development of abilities related to leisure activities and enhances participation in leisure activities.

General and specific benefits of the intervention

Many general and specialized benefits of ABA therapy have been shown for autistic persons. The use of ABA has been shown to have various positive effects, including enhancements in communication, social interaction, and conduct. Individuals with autism may benefit from ABA in their ability to acquire new skills, such as initiating and maintaining social connections, following instructions, and participating in recreational activities. In addition, the intervention focuses on unwanted habits that may interfere with daily functioning and social relationships (Izuno-Garcia, 2023). These behaviors include violence, self-harm, and repetitive activities. The advantages of ABA are modified to match each patient’s particular needs in accordance with the treatment goals established for that patient. For instance, ABA might instruct individuals on leisure activities like playing an instrument, participating in sports, or becoming a group member. These skills may be taught to autistic persons so they can participate in more leisure activities, learn about new hobbies and interests, and improve their social engagement. By reducing stress and encouraging independence, ABA has the potential to improve the quality of life of autistic persons as well as the lives of their relatives. Individuals with autism may benefit from learning how to do activities of daily living on their own, such as dressing, grooming, and eating, to become more independent and enhance their everyday life skills (Izuno-Garcia, 2023). This may improve the quality of life for everyone, including the autistic person and their family, and minimize the burden on family carers caring for autistic loved ones. The ability to more broadly use acquired skills is yet another critical benefit of ABA. The ability to apply recently learned skills in various contexts and with a wide range of people is what we mean when discussing generalization. To better aid autistic persons in generalizing their talents, ABA incorporates strategies such as prompting and fading. This will lead to more autonomy and success in various settings, such as the classroom, the home, and the community.

Summary of each TR Model

People with disabilities may improve their health, quality of life, and overall well-being via participation in leisure and recreational activities, which is the focus of the recreation therapy profession. Various TR models provide a theoretical basis for appreciating how recreation and leisure might be employed to meet these goals. The following is a summary of each of the TR models:

Leisure Ability Model

The Leisure Ability Model emphasizes the value of leisure as a means of fostering and improving functional independence, social and personal skills, and good attitudes toward leisure activities. Specifically, the model focuses on leisure’s role in promoting and enhancing functional independence (Araiba, 2022). The idea focuses on the relevance of determining an individual’s preferences and interests in terms of leisure activities and using these preferences to build potential solutions.

Health Protection/Promotion Model

The health protection and promotion paradigm places primary emphasis on the utilization of leisure and recreation activities to protect and promote both physical and mental health and reduce the risk of sickness and impairment. The method strongly focuses on physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices, such as reducing stress and eating a balanced diet.

Leisure and Wellbeing Model

The paradigm of leisure and well-being focuses on using leisure as a way of building mental and emotional health. The idea emphasizes the value of leisure time as an instrument for promoting personal growth and development, as well as enhancing self-esteem, social competence, and overall life satisfaction.

Flourishing Through Leisure Model

The “Flourishing Through Leisure Model” suggests that engaging in leisure activities may help one develop positive emotions, a sense of involvement and connection with others, and a sense of purpose and achievement. This approach places a strong focus on the importance of participating in endeavors that provide one’s life with meaning and purpose.

TR Service Delivery Model

The TR Service Delivery Model strongly focuses on the need to customize services to meet each client’s particular needs and interests (Araiba, 2022). The Model places a focus on the market of collaboration with members of other professions and community partners so as to make it possible to provide services that are both comprehensive and integrated.

TR Outcome Model

The TR Outcome Model emphasizes the importance of analyzing the outcomes of therapy with TR. The paradigm places a strong focus on the use of approaches that are supported by evidence and established outcome indicators to determine the effectiveness of TR treatments.

Optimizing Lifelong Health through Therapeutic Recreation Model

The Optimizing Lifetime Health Through Therapeutic Recreation Model emphasizes the relevance of using leisure and recreation activities to enhance one’s health and well-being throughout one’s lifetime. The approach places a focus on early identification, prevention, and support for healthy lifestyles, and it does so through using community-based services.

Self-Determination and Enjoyment Enhancement Model

The Self-Determination and Pleasure Enhancement Model strongly focuses on the importance of enhancing one’s level of self-determination and the amount of pleasure experienced from participating in leisure activities. The idea focuses on the relevance of providing individuals with the option to take part in personally satisfying and pleasurable endeavors.

Ecological Model of Therapeutic Recreation

By the Ecological Model of Therapeutic Recreation, it is essential to understand the environmental elements that influence the behaviors associated with recreational activities (Fuentes, 2021). The method places a focus on the relevance of developing environments that are suitable for engaging in leisure activities as well as domains that are beneficial to one’s overall health.

Aristotelian Good Life Model

The Aristotelian Model of the Good existence strongly emphasizes the role that leisure plays in obtaining eudaimonia, often known as a flourishing and happy existence. The importance of participating in activities that foster moral superiority and virtue, as well as social and emotional well-being, is emphasized throughout the plan.

How to apply the intervention using each of the TR Models

The following is a list of general factors that should be considered when merging different TR Models into one ABA intervention:

Leisure Ability Model

Before beginning the ABA intervention that is based on the Leisure Ability Model, the therapist should discover the preferred leisure activities and interests of the autistic client. The therapist should then include these preferences and interests in the ABA therapy plan by making use of leisure activities to strengthen the individual’s functional independence and interpersonal skills. ABA stands for applied behavior analysis.

Health Protection/Promotion Model

A collaborative effort between the therapist and the autistic client is required to successfully implement the Health Protection/Promotion Model of ABA intervention (Fuentes, 2021). This Model requires the ABA intervention plan to include physical exercise and healthy living practices. This might include activities such as participating in sports, hiking, or cooking nutritious meals.

Leisure and Wellbeing Model

To put into practice the ABA intervention based on the Leisure and Wellbeing Model, the therapist has to work with the autistic person to find leisure activities that increase psychological and emotional well-being. Some examples of these activities include making music, drawing, and practicing relaxation techniques. These kinds of activities have the potential to improve a person’s overall happiness, as well as their self-esteem and social skills.

Flourishing Through Leisure Model

The therapist should work with the autistic person to participate in leisure activities that promote good emotions, engagement, positive connections, and a feeling of purpose and success to implement the ABA intervention based on the Flourishing Through Leisure Model. Participating in these activities may improve a person’s perception of the meaning and purpose of their existence.

TR Service Delivery Model

In order to put into practice the ABA intervention while applying the TR Service Delivery Model, the therapist will need to work together with the autistic person to devise a strategy that is tailored to the individual’s specific requirements and areas of interest (Fuentes, 2021). In order to provide therapy that is complete and coordinated, the therapist needs to engage in conversation with members of other professions and community organizations.

TR Outcome Model

When therapists determine whether or not an ABA intervention was successful by utilizing the TR Outcome Model, they should use processes supported by research and standardized outcome measurements. The therapist has to record the results, which should include increasing independence, more vital social skills, and less risky behavior.

Optimizing Lifelong Health through Therapeutic Recreation Model

To implement the ABA intervention based on the Optimizing Lifelong Health through Therapeutic Recreation Model, the therapist has to work with the autistic person to create positive behaviours and steer clear of persistent health problems. This could include engaging in physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, and finding effective ways to deal with stress.

Self-Determination and Enjoyment Enhancement Model

The ABA intervention based on the Self-Determination and Enjoyment Enhancement Model requires the therapist to engage with the autistic person to provide meaningful and joyful participation opportunities and alternatives (Kreysa et al., 2022). This is necessary to administer the intervention successfully. This can include the person’s favorite activities and areas of interest.

Ecological Model of Therapeutic Recreation

Before beginning the ABA intervention based on the Ecological Model of Therapeutic Recreation, the therapist should engage with the autistic person to identify environmental difficulties preventing them from participating in recreational activities. This should be done before beginning the ABA intervention. The following emphasis of the therapist will be on creating environments that are conducive to the stimulation of recreational activities and promote health and well-being.

Aristotelian Good Life Model

The therapist should engage with the autistic person to participate in leisure activities that promote virtue, moral perfection, and social and emotional well-being to use the ABA intervention based on the Aristotelian Good Life Model (Kreysa et al., 2022). Utilizing these activities to their full potential may help people flourish and maintain their health.

Pros and Cons of each Model

In terms of the ABA therapy for autistic persons, the following is a list of some Pros and cons associated with each TR Model:

Leisure Ability Model

1. Pros: Fostering self-reliance and practical competence while providing the individual with satisfying outlets for their free time.
2. Cons: Some standards for health and well-being may need to be met.

Health Protection/Promotion Model

1. Pros: Promoting healthy lifestyle choices and frequent exercise lowers the chance of contracting a significant disease.
2. Cons: It could overlook preferences and leisure hobbies.

Leisure and Wellbeing Model

1. Pros: It boosts people’s confidence, self-esteem, and mental and emotional wellness.
2. Cons: It may not satisfy specific functional and medicinal needs.

Flourishing Through Leisure Model

1. Pros: The flourishing through leisure approach has been shown to promote happiness, fulfillment, engagement, meaning in life, and the sense of having a purpose in life.
2. Cons: It may not satisfy specific functional and medicinal needs.

TR Service Delivery Model

1. Pros: works in conjunction with various community stakeholders and other trained professionals to deliver unified and all-encompassing services.
2. Cons: They may not emphasize leisure activities or adjust to certain expectations or preferences.

TR Outcome Model:

1. Pros: It examines goals like social skills and autonomy and bases its conclusions on established result assessments and empirical methodologies.
2. Cons: It may not cater to specific preferences and may prioritize performance over pleasure.

Optimizing Lifelong Health through Therapeutic Recreation Model

1. Pros: Promotes healthy behaviors and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases.
2. Cons: Personal preferences and interests in leisure activities may not be considered if health outcomes are more important than leisure activities.

Self-Determination and Enjoyment Enhancement Model

1. Pros: It offers options and opportunities for engaging in enjoyable leisure activities while promoting autonomy and well-being.
2. Cons: It may only meet some of the functional and health requirements.

Ecological Model of Therapeutic Recreation

1. Pros: Determines environmental factors that may be preventing people from participating in leisure activities and creates settings that encourage participation in leisure activities, as well as health and well-being.
2. Cons: Human preferences and goals may not get the attention they deserve, and environmental concerns will be given more weight than individual objectives.

Aristotelian Good Life Model

1. Pros: It promotes moral superiority, social and emotional health, and the enjoyment of leisure activities.
2. Cons: It may only meet some of the functional and health requirements.

Which TR Model is best for your intervention and target disability?

In our opinion, we believe that the Leisure and Wellbeing Model is the most effective ABA intervention for people with autism. This perspective emphasizes the significance of leisure activities in enhancing a person’s social skills and sense of self-worth, as well as their mental and emotional health and their general quality of life. Because ABA treatments may be complex and are often directed towards achieving specific behavioral goals, including enjoyable and purposeful leisure activities might help strike a balance in the intervention and support the individual’s overall health and happiness (Grunsten, 2022). The Leisure and Wellbeing Model also emphasizes the significance of individual freedom and choice about engagement in leisure activities. This is consistent with the guiding principles of the ABA, which emphasize human objectives and options as a primary concern. Participating in extracurricular activities that are both interesting and relevant to one’s life might enhance motivation and engagement with an ABA intervention.

Even though other TR models, such as the Health Protection/Promotion Model and the Optimizing Lifelong Health via Therapeutic Recreation Model, are pertinent to the health and well-being needs of those with autism, it’s possible that they don’t place as much emphasis on the interests and preferences of each individual in terms of leisure time activities (Grunsten, 2022). For instance, the health protection and promotion model is about keeping people healthy and preventing illness. In contrast, optimizing lifelong health via the therapeutic recreation model focuses on maximizing health throughout one’s life. It’s possible that, unlike the TR Outcome Model, it won’t put recreation or well-being at the top of the list. On the other hand, it might help evaluate specific objectives, such as one’s social skills or level of autonomy.

Conclusion

This study looked into whether Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) could be used to help autistic people take part in leisure activities. It discussed the impairment and its effects on individuals, as well as the advantages of ABA intervention in achieving specific behavioral goals, and it cited some of these aims. A discussion of the various TR models was then presented after a brief introduction. The Recreation and Health Model was chosen as the best fit for the ABA intervention because it emphasized individual freedom and choice in leisure activities and showed how vital leisure is to overall health. This was one of the reasons why the Recreation and Health Model was chosen as the ideal match for the ABA intervention. This article provides a helpful framework for understanding the role of therapeutic leisure in meeting the needs of autistic people and enhancing their overall health and sense of well-being.

References

Araiba, S., & Čolić, M. (2022). Preliminary practice recommendations for telehealth direct applied behavior analysis services with children with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1-35.

Fuentes, J., Hervás, A., Howlin, P., & (ESCAP ASD Working Party). (2021). ESCAP practice guidance for autism: a summary of evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 30(6), 961-984.

Grunsten, C. M. (2022). Parental Perception of ABA interventions and/or ABA Interventions in Conjunction with Use of Psychotropic Medication to Treat Adolescents with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology).

Gorycki, K. A., Ruppel, P. R., & Zane, T. (2020). Is long-term ABA therapy abusive: A response to Sandoval-Norton and Shkedy. Cogent Psychology, 7(1), 1823615.

Izuno-Garcia, A. K., McNeel, M. M., & Fein, R. H. (2023). Neurodiversity in Promoting the Wellbeing of Children on the Autism Spectrum. Child Care in Practice, 29(1), 54-67.

Kreysa, H., Schneider, D., Kowallik, A. E., Dastgheib, S. S., Doğdu, C., Kühn, G., … & Schweinberger, S. R. (2022, April). Psychosocial and behavioral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with autism and their families: overview of the literature and initial data from a multinational online survey. In Healthcare (Vol. 10, No. 4, p. 714). MDPI.

Weiss, M. J., Tereshko, L., Bowman, K., Marshall, K., & Rose, K. (2022). Effective Collaboration: Maximizing Outcomes in Autism Intervention in an Interdisciplinary Model. In Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions for Autism: Integrating Research into Practice (pp. 125-149). Cham: Springer International Publishing.