Running head: ACTIVITIES PORTFOLIO 7

Gracica Thelusma
Activities Portfolio 7
Florida International University
October 21st, 2016

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Activities Portfolio 7

Facilitation Technique Category: Stress Management

Activity Title: Stone Balance
Source: TR- Therapeutic Recreation Directory. (2013, 10 20). Retrieved from
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/stress.htm
Equipment: River Stones
Activity Description: Stress can be associated with stressful conditions and work and it can
present like a negative outcome on someones health which can lead to many illnesses and
limitations to leisure especially when the individual does not have access to resources to be able
to educate him/herself about stress and cope with it effectively. The purpose of Stone balance is
not only to enhance hand-eye coordination, concentration, mindfulness, fine motor skills, selfesteem, but also to improve stress Management in participants. Firstly, specialists should gather
at least ten (10) to fifteen (15) river stones. Next, specialists will try to find an environment
where the mind can actually relax. Thirdly, specialists will then have participants fix the stones
one on top of the other and will have them try to arrange the stones as much as possible.
Furthermore, specialists should make participants perform this task in a normal way where they
are not being rushed on and try to increase the number of time they perform this activity the next
time they will have to do it. Finally, at the end of the session specialists will then ask participants
to discuss and share about what they enjoy and what they did not enjoy doing this activity for
better results in the future (TR- Therapeutic Recreation Directory, 2013).
Leadership Considerations: Specialists should always conduct a thorough assessment on
participants to know about their health condition or any diagnoses so that proper accommodation
can be made for better results to occur (Barantovich Martha M. & Dattilo John, 2016).

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Adaptations: Participants with Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an autoimmune condition that

causes inflammation of the joints with chronic pain, fevers and fatigue. It is helpful for
specialists to have assessment on participants in order to know about their level of limitations
and needs for this stone balance. Since people with rheumatoid arthritis RA mostly experience
chronic pain, fatigue and fevers, the whole healthcare team should be included in the activity as
needed for assistance and follow their advice. Also, because their joints are damaged specialists
can provide them with assistive devices such as splints for the wrists, zipper pullers and longhandled shoe horns to assist them getting off and on chairs and to encourage independence for
more leisure involvement. Also, providing them with rest during session as needed whenever
they feel tired. Doing stone balance in group setting will help minimize depression and release
their negative emotions on participants through expressing and interacting with other members of
the group. Specialists will be assisting them as needed throughout the whole session. (Porter
Heather R. Ph.D. CTRS, 2015).
Participants with Oppositional Defiant Disorder: It is a condition that can cause individuals to
disobey authority figures where they can display aggressive, noncompliant, overactive, and
impulsive behaviors such as losing their temper, arguing, being malicious, annoying others etc.
Specialists will conduct an assessment to have an overall idea of their health conditions,
limitations and needs. Specialists will be using the cognitive behavioral approach to help them
change their negative thinking. Also, specialists will provide an organized and peaceful
environment where the individual can relax their mind and express themselves openly and to be
able to interact peacefully with other participants. Music can be added in the background to
increase relaxation and mood by specialists. Family should be included in the activity session to

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increase participation as needed. Lastly, assistance will be provided by specialists as needed
during this activity (Porter Heather, R. Ph.D. CTRS, 2015).

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References

Barantovich Martha M. & Dattilo John. (2016). Stress Management. In Facilitation Fechniques
in Therapeutic Recreation (pp. 365-399). Pennsylvania: Venture.
Porter Heather R. Ph.D. CTRS. (2015). Rheumatoid Arthritis. In Recreational Therapy for
Specific Diagnoses and Conditions (pp. 327-333). Washington: Ildyl Arbor.
Porter Heather, R. Ph.D. CTRS. (2015). Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder. In
R. P. Porter Heather, Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses and Conditions (pp.
269-275). Washington: Ildyl Arbor.
TR- Therapeutic Recreation Directory. (2013, 10 20). Retrieved from
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/stress.htm

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Activities Portfolio 7- Part 2

Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Tai Chi

Activity Title: Basic Essentials of Tai Chi Skills: Slowness, Continuity, and Relaxation
Source: Datillo John. (2016). Therapeutic Use of Tai Chi. In Facilitation Techniques in
Therapeutic Recreation (pp. 485-514). Pennsylvania: Venture.
Equipment: No equipment needed, but enough space
Activity Description: Tai Chi is done to help raise the level of consciousness of a person and to
help he/she exercise his/her mind. Basically, Tai Chi focuses on body relaxation and meditation.
The purpose of Basic Essential of Tai Chi is to teach basic essential of Tai Chi skills of slowness,
continuity, and relaxation to help improve relaxation and meditation in individuals. Slowness
skill help participants with the flow of movements. Firstly, get to a spacious room with
participants to get started. Secondly, specialists will have participants stand with feet wide apart,
knees slightly bend and mind focus on body, and deep breathing by inhaling and exhaling
through the nose and going back and forth in circular, slow and calculated body motion as
possible by demonstrating the techniques to them. Thirdly, for continuity, specialists will have
participants coordinate their upper and lower extremities to form harmony of body movements
for more fluid sequence to occur by showing it to them. Fourthly, specialists will have
participants relax their chest, upper and lower body portions as well as their shoulder muscles
and have relaxing thoughts while performing the exercises and bringing all focus toward the
center of the body also known as Dantian. Finally, specialists will have participants debrief about
the experience have doing Essentials of Tai Chi (Datillo John, 2016).
Leadership Considerations: Specialists should gather resources to know which style is useful
to participants, develop a budget to know whether they should hire a professional or a volunteer,

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assess participants to know about the fitness level and know about if modifications are needed,
determine staff capabilities to have resources available for the session to be successful such as
trained instructors in case volunteers are not available and where to locate the resources on the
National tai Chi Association for workshops, establish program focus to clarify the purpose of the
session with goals and objectives, evaluate facility size to know where exactly they will find
spacious spaces, examine environmental condition for a safe and relaxing environment (Datillo
John, 2016).
Adaptations: Participants with Hearing Loss: It is a condition that usually occurs as the
person ages and it is found to be more common in men than in women where the individual lose
the ability to hear properly or even at all. Specialists will conduct a health assessment to know
about their health conditions, abilities and needs. For better communication to occur since
participants may have difficulty to hear properly, specialists will be using sign language or
written or verbal communications as needed. Assistive technology such as the use of videos for
captioning so they can read the instructions for the activity. Specialist will be assiting them as
well as much as possible. Other healthcare team may be involved for assistance such with sign
language as needed (Porter Heather R. Ph.D. CTRS, 2015).
Participants with Fibromyalgia: It is a health condition that affects the soft tissues of at least
nineteen areas of the body with the sensation of pain where the body areas become tender for at
least three months. The pain tends to become worse and radiate to other areas. Specialists will
conduct assessment to know about their abilities, needs and overall health and pain level mainly.
Specialists will make sure they have their pain medication for alleviating the pain level for better
focus on the activity. Music can be added in the background as well; also breaks and rests can be
provided by specialists whenever they feel tired and feel discomfort. Specialists will encourage

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them to express themselves, interact with others and assist them as needed ( Porter Heather R.
Ph.D. CTRS, 2015).

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References

Porter Heather R. Ph.D. CTRS. (2015). Fibromyalgia and Juvenile Fibromyalgia. In

Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses and Conditions (pp. 153-159). Washington:
Ildyl Arbor.
Datillo John. (2016). Therapeutic Use of Tai Chi. In Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic
Recreation (pp. 485-514). Pennsylvania: Venture.
Porter Heather R. Ph.D. CTRS. (2015). Hearing Loss. In P. H. CTRS, Recreational Therapy for
Specific Diagnoses and Conditions (pp. 181-191). Washington: Ildyl Arbor.