Attitudes of Therapeutic Recreators Toward Evaluation and Client Assessment

Authors

  • Therese Beddall
  • Dan W. Kennedy

Keywords:

Attitudes, Utilization, Client Assessment, Client Evaluation, Instruments and Procedures

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of therapeutic recreation practitioners toward client assessment and evaluation. The specific assessment and evaluation instruments which are currently being utilized by therapeutic recreation practitioners were also investigated. Eighty-five registered practitioners returned questionnaires which contained 10 attitude statements regarding client assessment and evaluation along with questions pertaining to demographic information. Data analysis revealed that practitioners have positive attitudes toward client assessment and evaluation. Female practitioners have more positive attitudes toward assessment and evaluation than males. None of the other demographic variables were related to or made a difference in attitude toward or utilization of client assessment and evaluation. The majority of practitioners in the study used in-house or non-standardized methods of assessing and evaluating clients. It was suggested that closer alliance or more effectivecommunication be developed among therapeutic recreation professionals in educational and clinical settings to assure clients of quality programming and to enable therapeutic recreation to be viewed as a viable profession.

Issue

Section

Assessment Papers