Recreational Therapy: An Introduction

The editors' goal in preparing the fourth edition of this introductory textbook was to provide a book that would clearly define the essence of recreational therapy as a health care profession. Thus, the book is focused on the purposeful use of recreation and leisure as interventions to enhance the health and well-being of clients whom recreational therapists serve. To emphasise this goal, the title used for this edition has been changed from "Therapeutic Recreation: An Introduction to Recreational Therapy: An Introduction". To accomplish their goal, the editors called upon leading authors to join them in writing chapters for this edition. Readers will notice that the list of authors includes some of the best-known experts in the profession and some of the rising stars of recreational therapy. Each author brings his or her expertise to providing the most current information in his or her area of specialisation. The contributions of each author make this fourth edition a truly unique work. Readers also will notice that two new editors have agreed to collaborate with the editors of the three prior editions of the book and to author chapters in their areas of expertise. Thus, this new edition benefits from having the best efforts of a team of editors and authors. Those reading this edition will find a continuation of the user-friendly approach employed in prior editions. Chapters begin with a list of learning objectives and end with a series of reading comprehension questions and a complete list of references. This edition also follows the tradition of prior editions in using the same format in every chapter devoted to a specific client population. This format includes a feature that has been appreciated in prior editions: a case study to illustrate the concepts in each chapter. A unique aspect of this edition is the inclusion of a chapter on the provision of recreational therapy for members of the military services as one of the specific client populations. Finally, the editors express thanks to the scores of individuals who appreciated the format and content of prior editions of the book and who encouraged them to prepare this fourth edition. Hopefully, this new edition will live up to their expectations and will further the practice of recreational therapy.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Introduction & Overview; The History of Therapeutic Recreation: A History of Two Professions; The Recreational Therapy Process; Behavioral Health & Psychiatric Disorders; Substance Use Disorders; Autism; Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities; Seizure Disorders; Geriatric Practice; Paediatric Practice; Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Practice; Military Service Members; Management, Consultation, & Research; Issues & Trends; Index.

About the Author :
Dr. Austin produced 23 instructional videos through the federally funded Recreation Therapy Video (RTV) Project, and he is author of the Health Protection/Health Promotion Model of Practice. Dr. Austin has served on editorial boards for the Journal of Leisure Research, Schole, Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, and Leisure Today. He is a past president of ATRA, the Society of Park and Recreation Educators, and the Academy of Leisure Sciences, as well as a past member of the NRPA Board of Trustees. Dr. Austin is a fellow in the Academy of Leisure Sciences and a founding fellow of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists. He is the only individual to have received the NTRS Distinguished Service Award, the ATRA Distinguished Fellow Award, and the SPRE Distinguished Fellow Award. He has been awarded Indiana Universitys highest teaching award, the Frederic Bachman Lieber Memorial Award for Distinguished Teaching. He has been named to the Union College Hall of Fame and was presented the Brightbill Award by the University of Illinois. In 1998, Dr. Austin received the NRPA Literary Award. Dr. Bryan P. McCormick has worked in the field of recreational therapy for more than 25 years as a practitioner, educator and researcher. He has been on faculty at Indiana University since 1995. He also served on faculty at East Carolina University. He has served on boards of directors of the Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). He is also an ATRA past president. As an author of more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and 11 book chapters, Dr. McCormick's work focuses on the social and community functioning of adults with severe mental illness. He has conducted research and trainings in psychiatric rehabilitation in the US as well as Eastern Europe. He was a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research and lectures in psychiatric services at the University of Kragujevac, Serbia. Dr. McCormick is a fellow in the Academy of Leisure Sciences and a Fellow in the National Academy of Recreational Therapists. His work has appeared in journals such as: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, American Journal of Recreation Therapy, Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, Disability and Rehabilitation, International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Journal of Leisure Research, Journal of Rehabilitation, Journal of Travel Research, Leisure Sciences, Schizophrenia Research, Therapeutic Recreation Journal and World Leisure Journal.