Therapeutic Guidelines

Therapeutic, or TR Programs, utilizes a set of guiding principals when working with our participants in programs. The goal of these principals and mission statement is to foster our culture of inclusion with every interaction.

We also have a set of guidelines for families and participants to follow for both Therapeutic Programs and Special Olympics.

The TR Culture/Guiding Principals and our guidelines for Therapeutic Programs and Special Olympics are listed below. When you register for a program on MyRec you will be able to view the TR Culture information, and you will be asked to sign off on the guidelines for Therapeutic Programs and/or Special Olympics.

TR Program Vision:

Our vision is to support all persons through inclusive recreation opportunities that meet the needs of physical activity, socialization, engagement, friendship-building, and education. We support the combined use of traditional behavioral support models utilized in local school systems and the sensory model for emotional regulation and behavior management.

TR Program Culture/Guiding Principals:

• We will offer tools for those who are sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidant to foster internal regulation.

• We focus on supporting individuals to use their language and self-expression to share how they are feeling.

• We train staff and volunteers/guests on specific ways to present themselves so as not to seem intimidating or scary to participants, such as encouraging them to sit on the floor or dress in casual clothing

• We provide visual cues, simple instructions, modeling, extended time, and flexibility in programming to ensure everyone can participate at their level. We scale activities to meet the abilities and needs of our participants.

• We give two choices and allow time to think through and respond.

• We give eye contact as much as is feasible to participants to acknowledge their person/needs.

• We will utilize social stories when feasible to foster positive engagement and appropriate responses.

• We promote behaviors that are healthy and inclusive. We look at behaviors to communicate a want or a need. We look for this need and provide an alternative, more appropriate way for the individual to obtain what they are looking for.

• We use positive reinforcement to reinforce actions that we want to continue. We use reinforcers to reward positive behaviors, such as time with a favorite toy or a break from the program.

• We use de-escalation techniques – a calm voice, neutral body language, moving to a quiet space if possible – to communicate when times get stressful. If someone has a behavior that is increasing, we will look to call parents for support or for early release from the activity.

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TR Program Guidelines for Participants/Parents:

Parent Guidelines:

• Respond to a call or text from TR Staff within 10 minutes.

• Pick up within 30 minutes if participant becomes ill or is having behaviors.

• Must provide an emergency contact who can follow these guidelines if you are out of town.

• Five minutes after the end time of the program is the latest you can pick your participant up. If a program ends at 7pm, please pick up by 7:05pm. If you are late picking your participant up there will be a $1 per minute fee. This fee will be added to your MyRec account and you will not be able to register for another program until it is paid in full. This applies to all TR programs throughout the year.

• One verbal reminder will be provided about picking up on time, and then after that you will be charged each time you are late.

• Always walk participants into the building and find a staff person before leaving. Sometimes we have updates or questions, or people have not registered, and then we do not have an emergency contact and this is not acceptable. Please ensure you are dropping off your loved one with a staff person and checking in before leaving.

• We cannot give medications! If your participant will need medication during a program they must be able to administer this independently, or you can come and administer it to them.

Participant Guidelines:

• Must require minimal restroom assistance and have little to no accidents.

• Participants must not be a danger to self or others - no hitting or harm of any type will be allowed at programs.

• Participants must be able to stay with the group and not elope.

• Participants must not put non-edible items in their mouths.

• Participants must be able to follow directions and be respectful of staff leadership/rules.

• If your participant requires a 1:1 assistant you must register at least 1 week in advance to allow time for adequate staffing.

• Please remind staff at drop off EVERY PROGRAM if your participant has allergies or medical conditions!

• All program participants must have established social maturity to the degree that he or she is able to interact appropriately with program participants.

• If a participant is having any behavioral issues, these need to be discussed with Elizabeth prior to program registration, along with documentation of the preferred means of disciplinary action should the need for discipline arise during a program.

• All participants requiring a specific diet (for any reason) must be shared up-front with Elizabeth, in writing.

• All participants with medical issues (including, but not limited to seizures and heat sensitivity) must be shared up-front with Elizabeth, in writing.

• All participants must be able to be responsible for their personal items during all TR Programs.

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Special Olympics Guidelines:

Parent Guidelines:

• Respond to a call or text from Special Olympics Volunteers within 10 minutes.

• Pick up within 30 minutes if participant becomes ill or is having behaviors.

• Must provide an emergency contact who can follow these guidelines if you are out of town.

• Five minutes after the end time of the program is the latest you can pick your participant up. If a program ends at 7pm, please pick up by 7:05pm. If you are late picking your participant up there will be a $1 per minute fee. This fee will be added to your MyRec account and you will not be able to register for another program until it is paid in full. This applies to all Special Olympics programs throughout the year.

• One verbal reminder will be provided about picking up on time, and then after that you will be charged each time you are late.

• Always walk participants into the building and find a volunteer before leaving. Sometimes we have updates or questions, or people have not registered, and then we do not have an emergency contact and this is not acceptable. Please ensure you are dropping off your loved one with a staff person and checking in before leaving.

• We cannot give medications! If your participant will need medication during a program they must be able to administer this independently, or you can come and administer it to them.

Participant Guidelines:

• Our Special Olympics program is run by volunteers and we do not have staff on-site to assist athletes. If your athlete does not meet the guidelines below, they must have a parent or parent-provided 1:1 aide with them at all times during practices and competitions to assist them. If your athlete does not meet the guidelines below please speak with Elizabeth prior to registration to discuss.

• If a participant is having any behavioral issues, these need to be discussed with Elizabeth prior to program registration.

• All program participants must have established social maturity to the degree that he or she is able to interact appropriately with program participants.

• Must require minimal restroom assistance and have little to no accidents.

• Participants must not be a danger to self or others - no hitting or harm of any type will be allowed at programs.

• Participants must be able to stay with the group and not elope.

• Participants must not put non-edible items in their mouths.

• Participants must be able to follow directions and be respectful of volunteer leadership/rules.

• All participants must be able to be responsible for their personal items during all Special Olympics events.

• Please remind volunteers at EVERY PRACTICE if your participant has allergies or medical conditions!

• All participants requiring a specific diet (for any reason) must be shared up-front with Elizabeth, in writing.

• All participants with medical issues (including, but not limited to seizures and heat sensitivity) must be shared up-front with Elizabeth, in writing.

• All athletes participating in Special Olympic sports must attend and participate in at least 75% of practices for each sport they are signed up for. Lack of attendance impacts the entire team. If you are signed up for an individual sport such as swimming, bowling, or track, you must attend at least 50% of practices.

• If an athlete registers for a team sport such as volleyball or basketball, they MUST be able to attend the state/regional competition(s).