Assessment Batteries Triangulation Social Skills Assessment Environment Assessment Strengths-Based Assessment

Terms Battery Triangulation Several assessments used together Variety of assessment methods Variety of assessment data Variety of sources Interview, observation, self-report

Social Skills Assessment Assessment of Social Skills for Therapeutic Recreation Intervention Stumbo, 1994/95

Environment Assessment Shank & Coyle, 2002 Individual can’t be understood without examining environments “A person’s ability to function effectively is often as much a reflection of his environment and supports as it is a reflection of his specific skills and deficits” Selz, Bullock, & Mahon, 2000, p. 290

Principles of Strengths-Based Approach (Anderson, & Heyne, 2008) Every individual, group, family, & community has strengths Difficulties (illness, disability, etc.) are also sources of opportunity & challenge Collaboration (not expert) with participants Strengths can be nurtured (thus, must be assessed, planned, focused on)

Internal Strengths Aspirations & goals Interests & preferences Talents Skills & competencies Knowledge Character strengths & virtues

External Strengths Family support Social support, friends Community resources Home resources Opportunities for participation & contributions

Strengths-Based Assessment Strength Approach Focus on strengths Participant is potential waiting to happen Understanding strengths leads to understanding & creative ways for OofL Focus on whole person in context of life Deficit Approach Focus on problems Participant is viewed as problem needing to be fixed Understanding of problems may not lead to solutions or understanding Focus is on deficits & remediation

Rationale for Strengths-Based Assessment To get to know the person What is meaningful to person? To develop a positive relationship with person & support system To establish baseline To measure outcomes To focus on solutions, not on problems

Rationale for Strengths-Based Assessment The TR Specialist is the professional who can help people realize that what remains when they face disability & treatment is a life worth living

New Definition of Assessment Assessment is a treasure hunt TR assessment is the systematic process of learning about a person, his or her strengths, and his or her aspirations for recreation and well-being Through assessment, collaborative planning about the person’s goals and dreams, leisure becomes possible

Assessment Techniques Interviews Observations Test/inventories Record review

Sample Assessments Quality of Life Interview Supports Intensity Scale Strength Discovery Assessment Home & Community Social Behavior Scales Aspiration Index Signature Strengths Questionnaire

Sample Assessments Leisure Diagnostic Battery Life Effectiveness Questionnaire Life Satisfaction Scale Quality of Life Profile Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Strengths-Based Assessment Sample Focus on strengths vs. problems Looks at desires & resources Daily living Financial/insurance Vocational/educational Social supports Health Leisure/recreation Spirituality