Activity Selection & Goals KNR 273 Stumbo & Peterson, 20049

Activity Selection Overview Selecting the right activities is a crucial task Need specific activities if goal is to change some aspects of client behavior Intervention program Need the right activities for client outcomes

Factors Influencing Selection of Activities Activity content and process Client characteristics Resource factors

Activity Content & Process Activities must have a direct relationship to the client goal Client goal: Improve leisure awareness Good selection: Paper-pencil activity identifying benefits of leisure Poor selection: Monopoly WHY???

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Functional intervention activities should focus on the ability to help client reach goals Activities that client knows or is easy to learn Client goal: Increase physical endurance Good selection: Walking Poor selection: Pilates WHY???

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Functional intervention & leisure education activities should have predominant characteristics that are related to problem, skill, or knowledge being addressed Select activities with strongest capability of producing outcomes Client goal: Increase dyad interaction Activity 1: Backgammon Activity 2: Video games Which is best? Why?

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Activity characteristics are important considerations Active involvement, social interaction Client: Adolescent, moderate DD Client goal: Improve concentration Activity 1: Video game Activity 2: Square dance Activity 3: Crossword puzzle What concerns do you have of each activity?

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Clients should see usefulness and applicability to overall rehabilitation or treatment outcomes Client: 12 y/o male, SCI, paraplegia Setting: Acute rehab unit Client goal: To acquire new leisure skills Activity 1: Bridge Activity 2: Building remote-controlled models Activity 3: Designing & sewing clothes Rationale to select or exclude activities

Activity Content & Process (cont.) A single activity or session is not likely to produce desired behavioral change Sequence of activities in session Series of sessions Hands-on practice

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Application Client: Adult, BKN leg amputation with new prosthesis Client goal: Increase standing and walking endurance and balance Activities: Darts, shuffleboard, ping-pong, dancing How many sessions? Length of session to meet goal? How sequence activities

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Consider activities people will participate in when they have choice (future lifestyle) Client: 73 y/o female, CVA Setting: LTC, permanent placement Client goal: Improve adjustment to disability & facility Activity 1: Plant care Activity 2: Community dance club WHY???

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Program to client’s outcomes & priorities Shorten length of stay Processes, resource person Example?

Activity Content & Process (cont.) Client involvement in activities should be enjoyable

Client Characteristics Demographic characteristics need to be considered when designing programs Gender Age SES Ethnicity Education Religion Financial condition Effects past experiences & leisure preferences

Client Characteristics (cont.) Clients should see obvious carryover value in activity participation Relevant to their future Relevant to their goals Relevant to environment will return to

Resource Factors The number of clients included in the activity and the number of staff Risk Amount of material that can be covered Make goals attainable Smaller goals

Resource Factors (cont.) Allow adequate time to learn, practice, and enjoy skill Too much equipment detracts from focus of treatment goal

Selecting Activities Based on Client Goals Goal: Improve eye-hand coordination Activity 1: Battleship Activity 2: Volleyball Activity 3: Jigsaw puzzle Activity analysis Which is most appropriate?

Selecting Client Goals Based on Activities Activity 1: Bocce Activity 2: Horseshoes Activity 3: Aerobics Activity 4: Square Dance Activity analysis What goals from these activities?