Running head: ACTIVITIES PORTFOLIO 5

Gracica Thelusma
Activities Portfolio 5
Florida International University
October 7th, 2016

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Activities Portfolio 5

Facilitation Technique Category: Expressive Arts as Therapeutic Media

Activity Title: Creative Expressive Story Writing
Source: Directory, T. R. (2016, October 5). Retrieved from Therapeutic Recreation Directory:
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/creativewriting.htm
Equipment: A quiet environment (room), papers, pens,
Activity Description: Expressive art as therapeutic media itself is basically is designed to
enhance change in people such as cognitively, physically, emotionally or socially in their
functioning levels through the use of different types of art like dance, music, drama, visual arts
and poetry. Therefore, the purpose of creative expressive story writing is to encourage social
interaction, to enhance creative expression through writing, to have fun and enjoyment, to
increase self-confidence, and to promote self-esteem and self-awareness, and problem solving
skills in participants. First, a paper and a pen will be provided to each group member by
specialists. Second, specialists will tell participants to write down their favorite name of a
person, their favorite car color, their favorite place to visit, their favorite flower name, their
favorite animal, etc. Third, then with all the data gathered participants will be asked to write
down short stories with it by giving them a limited time frame to do that like ten minutes. Fourth,
specialists will help participants discover any meaning or issue of concerns behind their stories.
Fifth, participants will be reading out loud and discussing or trying to elaborate any meanings or
issues behind their stories if there are any to the other members in a free manner. Finally, the
session will be finished by telling participants to state what they enjoy and what they did not
enjoy about doing this activity (Directory, 2016) (Mary Ann Devine, 2016).

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Leadership Considerations: Specialists will need to conduct a general health assessment in

order to know about clients needs so that they can address their needs through clear treatment
goals properly. Specialists should assist participants as much as possible and work with the
whole healthcare team for assistance (Mary Ann Devine, 2016).
Adaptations: Participants with pressure ulcers: This condition usually affects people who
stay in one position for too long due to any health conditions which can limit their movements
where the skin that covers the boney areas such as the elbows, buttocks, heels are broken down
due to lack of circulation in those areas specifically. Specialists will be identifying any exposed
skins areas that may be at risks for pressure ulcers or have any pressure ulcers and report them to
the nursing staff for proper care and attention, and to make sure that the pressure areas are
covered with dressing properly during session. Also, specialists will be reminding and showing
participants how to switch position to relief the pressure ulcer areas for like twenty to thirty
minutes; also doing side lean, push up, forward lean, tilt by holding the position for at least thirty
seconds because they may forget to do it or may not know how to do it altogether. Specialists can
also advise participants to place backpacks on the back of wheelchairs when carrying especially
heavy things instead of placing them on their laps. Besides, specialists will ensure that the brakes
of wheelchairs are locked for participants who use wheelchairs, and to make sure that
participants skin are dry as much as possible to avoid breakdown of skin. Cushions like pillows
can be used for extra support to reduce pressure on the areas as well. Participants will be placed
in group to avoid isolation and increase social interactions. For participants who may have
difficulty with writing, specialists can also be writing while the participants are dictating ( Porter
Heather R., 2015).

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Participants with Sickle Cell Disease: This is an inherited condition that affects the red blood
cells where due to mutated form of them, the red blood cells become rigid and are low in oxygen
and can result in chronic anemia in individuals and give them pain and other severe conditions
such as organ failure, stroke and more. Specialists will teach them how to manage their pain
through different techniques such as teaching them some breathing and relaxation techniques to
help them reduce hypoxia so that they can regain focus on the activity. If participants have fever
specialists should work closely with the healthcare team regarding guidelines for fluids intakes
for cellular hydration. Specialists also have to make sure that participants have taken their
medications as needed as well such as their pain medications. Also, it is important to consider to
give them breaks in during session because they may experience fatigue due to pain as well and
write for them in case they feel too weak to write while they are dictating specialists (Mary Ann
Devine, 2016) (Porter Heather R., 2015).

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References

Porter Heather R. (2015). Pressure Ulcers. In Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses and
Conditions (pp. 321-324). Washington: Ildyll Arbor.
Directory, T. R. (2016, October 5). Retrieved from Therapeutic Recreation Directory:
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/creativewriting.htm
Mary Ann Devine. (2016). Expressive Arts as Therapeutic Media. In Facilitation Techniques in
Therapeutic Recreation (pp. 260-261). Pennsylvania: Venture.
Porter Heather R. (2015). Sickle Cell Disease. In Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses
and Conditions (pp. 345-350). Washington: Ildyl Arbor.

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Activities Portfolio 5-Part 2

Facilitation Technique Category: Mindfulness

Activity Title: Mindfulness Meditation
Source: Pinterest. (2016, October 5). Retrieved from Practicing Mindfulness:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/547750373408053921/
Equipment: A timer clock, quiet place (room)
Activity Description: Basically, having mindfulness skills can assist individuals with gaining
intentional and nonjudgmental attention of the present moment. One can strengthen their
mindfulness skill through practice. The goal of mindfulness meditation is to help individuals
work on mindfulness itself which is to help remain fully aware and focused on the present
moment which can be affected by either negative or positive, external and internal experiences
such as emotions, thoughts, sensations, and perceptions. First, specialists will get participants to
a quiet place or room and sit down making a circle. Second, have the timer clock set up for five
minutes. Third, since posture is important part of proper breathing, specialists will ask
participants sit straight with spine erect. Fourth, then participants will try to notice and
concentrate on their breathing as much as they can. Fifth, participants mind will be going crazy,
and they ego does not like that, so participants have to take notice of it and try to return to their
breathing. Sixth, participants will notice their mind go crazy once again, and they will have to
return again to their breathing. The idea is for participants to return to their breathing each time
their mind goes crazy by repeating the sequence until the actual five minutes is over. Finally,
participants will be discussing their experience about what they enjoy and did not enjoy while
doing this activity for better future outcomes (Pinterest, 2016).

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Leadership Considerations: Specialists will need to have necessary skills and knowledge for
effective results. They also need to evaluate on a regular basis and systematically the results of
their interventions for instant or future assistance and use. Also, specialists will need to always
conduct an overall health assessment prior starting the activity (Carruthers Cynthia & Hood
Colleen, 2016).
Adaptations: Participants with Gambling Disorder: It can become a problem when it is
related to health issues such as social isolation, or fluctuated social roles, suicide ideation and
suicide, and restricted work and adulthood preparation where the individuals have compulsion to
gamble in spite of the fact that they want to stop or negative outcomes. Gambling can be
addictive, problematic, and compulsive. Specialists will contribute to the overall health of
participants by teaching them about mindfulness meditation which is one of the proper ways to
learn how to cope with stress. Specialists should make sure they do not get bored while doing
this type of activity teaching them the benefits of it at many levels such as to reduce stress,
increase self-esteem, and building better relationship with others. Specialist will show them how
to use the proper techniques when doing breathing exercises, and any other assistance will be
provided as needed while doing this exercise. Also, specialists will try get them involved as
much as possible by encouraging them to ask questions and express themselves openly along
encouraging interactions with other members for a great experience to occur (Porter Heather R.,
2015).
Participants with Heart Disease: It is an umbrella term which involves many heart conditions
such as blood vessel diseases, heart arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, heart
infections, and valvular heart disease where the heart functioning is affected in one way or
another. Specialists will be encouraging them in participating deeply and openly in the

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mindfulness meditation which will help them to relax. Specialists will be monitoring them
closely and apply some cardiac precautions by teaching them about energy techniques to ensure
that they are safe such as if they become fatigue especially when doing the breathing exercises,
and give them breaks or rest accordingly. Also, specialists will make sure they have taken their
medication to encourage involvement in the activity much as possible as well as to improve their
interaction with their surroundings. Last but not least, specialists will demonstrate techniques and
help them as needed (Porter Heather R., Heart Disease, 2015).

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References
Carruthers Cynthia & Hood Colleen. (2016). Mindfulness. In Facilitation Techniques in
Therapeutic Recreation (pp. 341-358). Pennsylvania: Venture.
Pinterest. (2016, October 5). Retrieved from Practicing Mindfulness:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/547750373408053921/
Porter Heather R., P. C. (2015). Gambling Disorder. In Recreational Therapy for Specific
Diagnoses and Conditions (pp. 161-167). Washington: Ildyl.
Porter Heather R., P. C. (2015). Heart Disease. In Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses
and Conditions (pp. 195-200). Washington: Ildyl Arbor.