The Use of
iPads
in Therapeutic Recreation
Practice
Dr. Lynn Anderson, CTRS, CPRP
Deana Moore, CTRS
Learning Outcomes
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Demonstrate the ability to use apps in the
therapeutic recreation process: assessment,
planning, implementation, documentation,
and evaluation
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Demonstrate the ability to use apps in each
domain: leisure, social/communication,
physical/sensory, cognitive, and
psychological/emotional
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Identify ways you will use iPads in your own
practice
Why the iPad?
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Communication options
“Cool”
Self expression
Mastery
Rapport building
Confidence building
Decrease in anxiety
Autonomy
Empowerment
Self direction
Ease of use
Lots and lots of APPS!
Basic iPad Operations
Built-in Accessibility
iPad Accessibility Features
 VoiceOver
screen
reader
 Zoom
magnification
 Large Text
 White on Black
 Speak Selection
 Speak Auto-text
 Mono
Audio and
balance
 AssistiveTouch
 Support for braille
displays
 Playback of
closed-captioned
content
Adaptations for the iPad
Braille Displays
Face Time
and Closed Captioning
Use of iPad to create and
share forms
 Fill-in
PDFs
 Dropbox
Break!
iPad and APIE
 Medical
abbreviations
 Medical forms
 Online surveys and forms
Survey apps
 Assessment
 Planning
 Documentation
 Evaluation
Use of iPad in functional
domains
 Social/communication
 Psychological/emotional
 Physical/sensory
 Cognitive
 Leisure
Social Functioning
 Socialization
 Communication
Social functioning includes
things like
 Being
able to interact with others
 Forming friendships
 Understanding social norms
 Communicating effectively
Variations in social functioning
could be due to
 Mental
illness
 Attention deficit disorder
 Autism
 Other developmental disabilities
 Traumatic brain injury
 Etc.
Communication includes things
like
 Verbal
 Nonverbal
 Expressive
 Receptive
Variations in the ability to
communicate could be due to
 Cerebral
palsy
 Stroke
 Intellectual
 Autism
 Other…
disability
Apps for Communication
Apps for Social Skills
Psychological/Emotional
Functioning
 Emotions
 Self
image
 Self esteem
Psychological/emotional
functioning includes things like
 Experiencing
enjoyment and other positive
emotions
 Coping with stress; relaxing
 Feeling good about oneself
 Being mindful
 Savoring life
 Optimism and hope
 Etc.
Variations in
psychological/emotional
functioning could be due to
 Mental
illness
 Attention deficit disorder
 Traumatic brain injury
 PTSD
 Etc.
Apps for Psychological and
Emotional Functioning
Lunch!
Physical Functioning
 Physical
 Sensory
Physical functioning includes
things like
 Walking
 Lifting
 Moving
 Balancing
 Grasping
 Muscular
control
 Fine motor skills
 Etc.
Variations in physical functioning
could be due to
 Spinal
cord injury
 Amputation
 Stroke
 Obesity
 Multiple sclerosis
 Muscular dystrophy
 Spina bifida
 Cerebral palsy
 Arthritis
 Parkinson’s disease
 Etc.
Sensory functioning includes
things like
 Hearing
 Seeing
 Touching
 Integrating
 Etc.
sensations
Variations in sensory functioning
could be due to
 Blindness
 Deafness
 Hearing
impairment
 Vision impairment
 Color blindness
 Autism
 Etc.
Apps for the Sensory Domain
Apps for Physical Skills
Apps for Physical Fitness
Cognitive Functioning
Cognitive or intellectual functioning
includes things like
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Learning
Processing information
Memory
Problem solving
Paying attention
Reading
Writing
Following directions
Etc.
Variations in cognitive functioning
could be due to
 Intellectual
disability
 Autism
 Learning
disability
 Other developmental disabilities
 Traumatic brain injury
 Alzheimer’s
 Etc.
Apps for the Cognitive Domain
Use of iPads in TR Practice
 Guest
Speakers:
 Kristina
McGowan,
B.A.,TRS
 Judy Dravucz,
Diploma, RecT
 Alberta
Health
Services
 Carewest Fanning
Centre
Break!
Leisure Functioning
Apps for Leisure Resources
Apps for Leisure Skills & Interests:
Art and Music
Apps for Leisure Skills & Interests:
Home Crafts
Apps for Leisure Skills & Interests:
Outdoor Adventure and Travel
Apps for Leisure Skills & Interests:
Sports and Games
Sharing Apps
How will you use the iPad in
your practice?
Wrap-up and Evaluation
 Evaluation
form on your iPad
 QR code (and web link)for handouts and
resources
 CEU certificate