G.F. Strong Rehab Centre

Recreation TherapyLeisure Education

Intervention Name:How to Make Friends and Influence People!(Social Skills and Communication)

Program Description:A small group designed to explore and enhance social skills and communication strategies.

Goals/Expected Outcomes:According to the client’s specific Recreation Therapy Treatment Plan, the following outcomes would be identified:

1. Clients will gain awareness of their personal social strengths and identify areas for improvement.

2. Clients will be able to identify 3 ways to improve their social circles.3. Clients will report greater satisfaction with their ability to build and maintain

friendships.4. Clients will increase their awareness of opportunities for social interaction.5. Clients will learn at least 3 strategies for improve their personal communication

skills.6. Clients will improve their ability to initiate social interaction.

Objectives/Plan:1. To improve ability to engage in social interactions..2. To improve understanding of the skills required to build friendships.3. To increase knowledge of where to look for social contacts.4. To decrease feelings of social isolation.

Criteria for Client Involvement:1. Clients whose Recreation Therapy treatment plan identifies a need for participation

within this group (in patients and out patients). Rating 4 or below in specific areas of FPWB Leisure Assessment: Social Interaction Skills, Leisure Education and Learning Needs

2. Clients who express an interest in participating in this group.3. Clients who express dissatisfaction with or would like to improve their social skills.4. Clients who have expressed feelings of social isolation.

Recreation Therapy Leisure Education – How to Make Friends and Influence PeopleLynn Horst and Mary Clark, Recreation TherapistsAugust 25, 2004 Page 2

5. Referral from other Team members.Frequency Per Week/Length Per Program: Twice a week, 4 sessions total Once per “Quadmester” 90 minutes

Group Size: N/A

Format:This program will be carried out in a relaxed and open atmosphere. Recreation Therapists facilitate active participation and discussion on the topic of social skills and communication through the use of leisure education games, resource materials, team projects, and practice.

Introductions and Ice Breaker (Ground rules)Discussion of Session goals

StrategiesLeisure Education Game (see below) and debrief

Review of Session and take away information

Session 1: Awareness of personal social interaction style and Body LanguageIntroduction to sessions: Goals and expected outcomes

What is my personal interaction style?Icebreaker re. Interaction styles Activity

Discussion on body language HomeworkGoal setting and review

Session 2: Building and maintaining friendshipsOverview of SessionSocial Circles Worksheet Discussion on benefits of friendships.Recipe for friendship ActivityBrainstorm maintaining friendshipsGoal setting and review

Session 3: Increasing your opportunities for socializationOverview of sessionActivityRole play Goal Setting and review

Recreation Therapy Leisure Education – How to Make Friends and Influence PeopleLynn Horst and Mary Clark, Recreation TherapistsAugust 25, 2004 Page 3

Session 4: Assertiveness in Social SituationsOverview of sessionDiscussion on communicating your needs in leisure situationsVideo clip ActivityDiscussion on positive social interaction techniques.Debrief on learning objectives and outcomes of sessions.

Staff/Volunteers: Two Recreation Therapists from different programs Peer Volunteer from BCPA or Brain Injury Assoc.

Resources: Quiet large room Welcoming atmosphere Handouts, Leisure Education exercises (All contained in Session Box)

Leisure Education 1and 2: A Manual of Activities and Resources Choose from:

Session 1: Interaction Journal pg. 283 LE Vol.1Recipe for Friendship pg. 321 LE Vol.2

Session 2: Non-Verbal Communication pg.349 LE Vol.4Friendship needs – 371 book 4

Session 3: Social Supports pg.285 LE Vol.1I, Me, or My pg.281 LE Vol.1Privacy Circles pg.299 LE Vol.1- 48 red binder – change to places to increase your opportunities for socialization.Role play “pick up lines” for meeting new people – p 381 book 4.

Session 4: Assertiveness in Leisure Situations pg. 287 LE Vol.1

Laptop, projector and sessions on power point, saved to disk Videotape for Session 2 and TV Newspapers, other resource sources Pens, paper, access to telephone and internet via the SCI Recreation Therapy

office. Camera for recording interactions.

Promotion: Email to all Team Members

Recreation Therapy Leisure Education – How to Make Friends and Influence PeopleLynn Horst and Mary Clark, Recreation TherapistsAugust 25, 2004 Page 4

Placement on Education Calendar Posters placed everywhere Overhead announcement Encouragement at Team Meetings and in 1:1interactions with Recreation

Therapists. Copy to BCPA to post on website and distribute to members. Copy to LMBIA, SRABC.

Evaluation:1. Observation of clients2. Verbal feedback from clients3. Improvement in Recreation Therapy Flowsheet scores.4. Observations of other Team members, ie. Nursing on weekends.5. Leisure Education Activity Evaluation (see Attached)