leisure coaching & collaboration: synergistic strategies for inclusion

Catherine Coyle, Temple University

Barbara Burger, Delaware County Intermediate Unit

Kathleen Agren, Penn Wood High School

Rachel Gucwa, Temple University

Lequand, Penn Wood High School

Highlight first year activities of Delaware County’s collaborative consortium on inclusive recreation

Consortium Members:› Temple University’s Therapeutic Recreation

Department› Penn Wood High School Teachers and Administrators› Delaware County Intermediate Unit – Options

Program› ARC of Delaware County› Parents of students with special needs

4 Major Foci I. Develop and implement new after-school

activities/clubs using principles of inclusionII. Use person-centered planning and leisure inclusion

coaching to promote students with special needs involvement in existing after-school activities

III. Develop procedures and implement person-centered planning for inclusive community-based leisure involvement with students exiting the school system

IV. Provide outreach, advocacy and training activities targeting the promotion of school and community-based inclusive recreation opportunities

Ongoing Process Penn Wood’s “Video Club”

› Meets once a week after dismissal

› Students from Penn Wood High School’s autistic support & learning support programs participate with students from general education curriculum

Solicited Administrative Support› LEA› Special education facilitators › Special education teachers

Determined students’ interests › Student survey of interests› Age and ability appropriate

Planning Process Determined & acquired necessary environmental

resources Club moderators and recreation therapists

Meeting space & time

Equipment

Parental support

Student transportation

Phase 1: “It’s our club!”› Purpose: To created sense of ownership

and investment in the club among students in the autistic support and learning support curriculums

Familiarity and skill levels Rules and regulations Behavior management Routines

The Video Club

Phase 2: “Including others”› Invitation via announcements to all

› Required socialization via team and tournament play

Ownership is important Equipment durability, set-up, color

coding and cheat sheets Rules, regulations, structure and rituals Importance of welcoming environment

› Answer questions about club purpose honestly

Maintaining interest Need for continual marketing Multiple student interests and schedules

Person-centered model

Clubs that students have participated in

Guitar Club

Student Council

Similar process as in Foci II

EXCEPTIONS:› DCIU Option’s staff identify appropriate

students› Master-level, credentialed recreation

therapists are used as inclusive leisure coaches

Case Example: Shayna

Training Focus› Facility and

Equipment› Socialization and

Assistance Solicitation

› Advocacy and Sensitivity

Major Issues

Everyday Lives,Everyday Fun Resource Fair

Parent Education Workshops

Delaware County’s Challenger League’s UNIFIED SPORTS INITIATIVE