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About Recreation Therapy

The Recreation Therapy program at Cerebral Palsy Alliance offers leisure counselling, community inclusion support and camps for children and teenagers with cerebral palsy.

Leisure Counselling

Recreation Therapy offers children, teenagers and families:

• the opportunity to talk about recreation they are interested in pursuing - including individual or group sport and leisure activities.
• an individual assessment to identify community mainstream leisure needs and support.
• information about clubs, workshops and venues in local areas or throughout Sydney.
• individual leisure counseling to increase self-resilience, self-confidence, social skills and skill development.
• self advocacy skills to facilitate access to community venues.
• the opportunity to create personal goals and monitor and evaluate those goals.
• a safe environment and adaptive techniques to enhance participation.

Community Inclusion

Recreation Therapy provides support to community agencies to:

• inform community agencies and schools of the philosophy of inclusion and best practice models around inclusion (participation) and diversity.
• educate community agencies and schools to see the benefits and program quality when including a person with a disability into their programs.
• provide education and support around recreation and inclusion strategies to other teams within Cerebral Palsy Alliance and to staff in external community organisations.
• assist in supporting individuals with cerebral palsy and their families while participating in chosen mainstream activity until they feel confident to continue activity independently or with other support (e.g. volunteer or teacher aid).

Camps

A number of different camps are offered each year - generally in school holidays. The themes and activities are designed to help participants develop life skills, socialisation skills, self resilience and independence. Camp themes have included MasterChef (cooking and entertaining), Amazing Race (transport and travel), Flick (movie making), Young Engineers and Summer Adventures (wilderness and outdoor activities).

The camps may also provide respite for families.

Information and selection criteria are available approximately one month before each camp.

Who is Eligible?

Children and young people with cerebral palsy aged between 7 and 21 years who have an interest in pursuing a recreational activity (sports, arts and other). The camps are generally open to young people aged 10 years and over.

When is it Available?

Service availability depends on the capacity of the Recreational Therapists at any time.

Where is it Available?

The program is offered across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Cost

There is no charge for the leisure counselling or community inclusion services although participants must pay for any costs associated with activities of interest.

The camps are subsidised by a variety of trusts and foundations, but families are required to pay a set fee for each camp.

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