Promoting community recreation and leisure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and level of involvement a cross section of pediatric physical therapists (PTs) and pediatric occupational therapists (OTs) have achieved in promoting community recreation and leisure participation for their clients with disabilities.

METHOD: Using the current Internal Classification of Functioning and Disability, a hierarchy of skills required to promote community recreation and leisure was constructed and a survey was developed based on items contained in the hierarchy. Items represented three potential types of barriers to participation in community recreation and leisure for individuals with disabilities: (1) physical, (2) social, and (3) resource. One hundred fifty-two therapists were surveyed regarding their knowledge and awareness of potential barriers to their clients' participation in community recreation and leisure and were asked questions related to promotion of recreation and leisure to their pediatric clients.

RESULTS

Eighty-two surveys were completed and returned. Data revealed that therapists were practicing below an "optimal" level regarding the promotion of recreation and leisure for their clients with disabilities. No significant differences were found between PTs and OTs other than a slightly greater tendency for PTs to consider cost as a barrier to client participation in recreation and leisure pursuits.

CONCLUSIONS

More research is indicated to establish the factors contributing to what may be inadequate promotion of community recreation and leisure participation among pediatric therapists.