Loooong Activities #2!

During class in Innovative Activities the last 3 groups facilitated their long activities! We met in Wittich gym for the first group. The first group did Team Sports. We were divided up into teams and completed different activities such as hula hooping while connected in a circle, dropping toothpicks into a bottle and a blindfolded obstacle course. All of the activities were very challenging but fun! The group did an excellent job of modifying each activity to mimic everyone having some type of disability. For example, while Hula Hooping in a big circle as a group, some people were told to have their eyes closed or stand on one leg. I really liked the blindfolded obstacle course the best. It really put me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to better understand how a person with visual impairment experiences their world. These activities would be very good for a variety of different populations, young and old, to work on team building activities, gross motor skills, and enhancing cognitive abilities. Youth-At-Risk would benefit greatly from these types of teamwork and leadership activities in their therapy program. While looking up "obstacle courses," I came across a neat idea: a realistic obstacle course to use with rehabilitating patients. Orchard Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Florida has a  

"therapeutic obstacle course, where patients can practice walking on surfaces they may encounter at home, including stairs, cobblestones, inclines, declines and even a wooden dock." 

I think that's such a great idea that directly addresses the goals of any type of therapy in general: to get the individual to return to their normal environment as quickly as possible! For more info you can check out the facility's webpage!

        The second group had Drama as their topic. I really enjoyed doing the activity where each group picked a random object and had to come up with an alternative use and name for the object. My group picked an artificial flower and termed it the "Food-Fan," a fan that could be attached to your body and grew berries and other food out of it so a hunter could take it with while out in the forest so he wouldn't get hungry or tired! This activity would definitely be a hit with the younger populations, and would be a good activity to use with kids with any disability that have trouble expressing themselves and their ideas in a group setting, and to work on speech presentation in front of others.


Drama therapy is something that is really interesting to me. According to the National Association of Drama Therapy:

      "Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals.

Drama therapy is active and experiential. This approach can provide the context for participants to tell their stories, set goals and solve problems, express feelings, or achieve catharsis. Through drama, the depth and breadth of inner experience can be actively explored and interpersonal relationship skills can be enhanced. Participants can expand their repertoire of dramatic roles to find that their own life roles have been strengthened.

Behavior change, skill-building, emotional and physical integration, and personal growth can be achieved through drama therapy in prevention, intervention, and treatment settings."


 I definitely see the many benefits for adolescents/youth-at-risk, or any child with a disability. They can to work through any issues they may have including anger issues or self-esteem issues in a non-traditional therapy setting.


Here's a really cool video of the "Discovery Academy" in Utah, that does Drama therapy with all types of adolescents!

The video pretty much sums up what this is all about: "Drama Therapy is an experience that leads to discussion."


The last group did Stress reduction/Relaxation techniques. We participated in a guided mediation video/ "nature walk" video that definitely de-stressed me! I could see this use of guided meditation/imagery very useful in hospitals with cancer patients, surgery wards, etc. Also, for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with a disease/disability and is learning to cope with it would definitely benefit from learning relaxation tools. We also made stress balls, which I think is a great activity to make with a variety of populations. The only adaptations I would make would be to use latex-free gloves because so many people are allergic to the latex in balloons, and make sure assistance is available to the individuals who need it while completing this project.


Click on this LINK for a great video that shows some breathing/relaxation techniques that can be used with children or adults! I like the volcano pose! :)


      Here's also a cool video on the same youtube channel that explains what exactly inclusion is.. I think it's something we as future CTRS' definitely need to understand so we can be the best therapists possible!