Recreation Therapy

We offer a variety of activities and programs for children and youth of ALL ABILITIES, as well as their families, to engage in inclusive recreation activities in group settings. Examples include open gym/movement programs, seasonally themed activities (e.g. Valentine’s Day party and pumpkin decorating) and community outings (e.g. apple picking, zoo trip)

Goals:

• build meaningful connections with others with shared experiences
• try new recreation and leisure activities without a commitment
• build confidence in participating in the community
• make community participation a natural/regular part of daily/weekly routines

• No referral is required.
• Children/youth must have a physical, developmental or communicative delay or disability and be 18 years old or younger.
• If your child is not currently involved with Niagara Children’s Centre, an Intake must be completed in order to collect information about your child to ensure a safe and positive experience. Call our Intake Coordinators at 905-688-1890, ext. 110.
• Families are encouraged to ask for a copy of our current Event Guide or visit our website for specific activity/program listings and online registration.

Tier 2 and 3 Recreation Therapy is for children/youth with specific recreation/leisure-based goals (e.g. participating in a group activity, developing a skill) AND who experience barriers to achieving those goals (e.g. accessibility, current skill/ability level).

• The first stage is a Family Assessment
• Assessment will include current child & family participation in recreation/leisure, the child’s goals, interests, preferences, skills, and abilities as well as barriers to participation
• The second stage is Intervention. Once a child has completed one phase of intervention, they will return to the waiting list for another intervention program, if desired.

• Participation in group Recreation Therapy activities/programs at Niagara Children’s Centre with one of the following goals:
• Active/Movement (e.g. swimming, biking, parasports)
• Social (e.g. programming with a focus on social based skills-conversation skills, turn-taking, problem-solving with peers, advocating within a group setting)
• STEAM- Science, technology, engineering, art and math (e.g. science club, photography, coding)
• Life Skills (e.g. cooking/baking, volunteering/leadership)
• Individual feedback to children and their families during/after group sessions to achieve goals

• Participation in group Recreation Therapy activities/programs at Niagara Children’s Centre with one of the following goals:
• Active/Movement (e.g. swimming, biking, parasports)
• Social (e.g. programming with a focus on social based skills-conversation skills, turn-taking, problem-solving with peers, advocating within a group setting)
• STEAM- Science, technology, engineering, art and math (e.g. science club, photography, coding)
• Life Skills (e.g. cooking/baking, volunteering/leadership)
• Individual sessions with the child/family for coaching/problem-solving related to achieving goals
• This may involve adapted recreation equipment trials and assistance with obtaining funding for equipment
• This may involve a Recreation Therapist joining the child in a community recreation class/program to assist with mentoring the program coaches/leaders with accessibility barriers and assisting the child/youth/family as they participate

• Children/youth must have a physical, developmental or communicative delay or disability and be 4-18 years of age (child must be age-eligible for school).
• Child/ youth must be motivated to participate in skill development/ program. Goals/interest areas should be agreed upon by the child/youth before referral.
• Referrals are accepted internally from Centre clinicians as well as directly from children/youth and their families

• Call our Intake Coordinators at 905-688-1890, ext. 110. Online referral portal coming soon.
• Tell our Intake Coordinators about your child/youth’s main goal, area of interest (active/movement, social, STEAM, and/or life skills) and any current barriers to participation.