What are recreational therapy services in an IEP?

One underutilized related service is recreational therapy, which is intended to help a student participate as independently as possible in leisure activities — in other words, to learn the skills necessary to benefit from the social parts of school. Recreation services include a recreation and leisure assessment to determine if a student would benefit from recreation therapy as well as direct therapy services to support their needs.

Recreation services can be provided both during school and through after-school programs either at school or in the community (such as at local parks and recreation or youth development programs). They include:

• improving physical functioning, including using activities to develop locomotor skills, balance, coordination, motor planning, strength and endurance, object control skills, and eye/hand coordination;
• improving cognitive functioning with activities that improve attention span, problem solving, decision-making skills, and creative expression;
• improving behavioral functioning with activities that improve anger/frustration control, respect for others and self, trust issues, stress management, relaxation training, and team-building skills; and
• developing the skills necessary for independence in recreational participation.

For more information, see our article What Are Related Services in an IEP?