| This study explored service planning patterns of recreational therapy practitioners (recreational therapists) working with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants were male (n= 3) and female (n= 13) certified therapeutic recreation specialists (CTRSRTM), with a range of ages and years in practice. All participants worked in the Southwestern or Midwestern United States. Two group interviews (n= 9) captured a range of processes used, and subsequent in-depth interviews (n= 10), explored deeper processes and meanings identified during the group interviews.;The identification of themes and interpretations revealed the RT-process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation (APIE), was present when working with individuals with ASD; however, the nature of services and approach to delivery differed based on setting and recreational therapist. Service setting factors included access, service delivery processes, goals, discharge and organizational culture. Recreational therapist factors included approach to service delivery, communications, rapport, clinical reasoning and judgment and years in practice.;All study participants reported good processes for service delivery; however, still better processes to serve individuals with ASD were to be found through continuous research and quality improvement of service delivery processes (access, assessment, planning). Additionally, it was imperative for client success for the recreational therapist to approach each client with ASD differently, as each is unique. Building rapport and relationships were seen as fundamental to strong communication pathways to serve clients well. |
