Recreation includes the activities we do for fun, leisure and connection, often in the community.
Occupational Therapy can support participation in meaningful activities that build skills, confidence, wellbeing and social connections.
Recreation is related to activities we do for fun or leisure, mainly in the community.
Participating in recreational activities can help people maintain physical, emotional and mental health. It can support skill development, improve mood and quality of life, and strengthen social connections.
Occupational Therapy can help identify barriers to participation and develop practical strategies around the activities that matter most to you.
Exploring energy-conservation strategies can be important when fatigue affects your ability to participate in activities you need or want to do.
Energy conservation involves adapting the way activities are completed to help preserve energy. Strategies can include prioritising activities, planning ahead, using appropriate posture and positioning, pacing yourself, adjusting expectations and using breathing techniques.
Occupational Therapy can help identify which strategies are practical for your routines, capacity and goals.
Occupational Therapy can help identify new activities you would like to participate in and support you to become comfortable throughout the process.
This can include considering sensory preferences, identifying the supports that may be helpful, and assisting with social participation.
Where social communication skills are a key part of making friends or participating in an activity, the Occupational Therapist may recommend support from a Speech Pathologist.
Total Health Choice has previously written functional reports that supported participants to attend tennis lessons, swimming and music lessons.
Depending on your skills and abilities, there may be different supports available to assist during a holiday.
Having paid or unpaid support attend a holiday may be an option. An Occupational Therapist can help build the support person’s skills so they can assist in ways that are appropriate for your needs.
The Occupational Therapist can also identify equipment that may assist with mobility, sensory processing, physical limitations, reminders or other practical areas of travel.
NDIS funding may support recreation-related activities where they relate to a person’s disability and assist with achieving goals included in their plan.
Available options can also depend on how funding is managed. The source content notes that self-managed and plan-managed participants may have more flexibility in where they attend, while NDIA-managed participants may be limited to NDIA-registered providers.
Examples of activities that may have been funded in the past include tennis lessons, swimming and music lessons.
Total Health Choice starts with a functional assessment to support preparation of a functional report.
The source content states that the functional assessment generally requires around 1.5 hours, while the report can take between three and six hours depending on complexity and the number of recommendations required.
Ongoing therapy needs depend on the person’s goals and the support available around them. The source content generally recommends between 15 and 20 hours of therapy to work towards one goal.
Speak with Total Health Choice about Occupational Therapy support for recreation, community participation and meaningful goals.
