Leisure Ability Model

            So the last post talked a little about the leisure ability model and the area of treatment. This post will cover the section about leisure education.
            The middle step is leisure education. This is where as the RT, I help teach the client that he has choices and can overcome barriers by gaining new resources and skills such as bowling, fly fishing, hiking, biking, and swimming. I act as a counselor in this area. I am showing new options and opportunities in life so the client can act autonomously. For example, I have a client who grew up in an impoverished area. He fell into drugs and stealing at a young age. I will take him fishing, bowling, and to other activities. By learning each of these activities, he will learn what he likes and does not like and be able to choose what he wants to do with his free time. This gives him other options besides stealing and doing drugs.
             Recreation is empowerment. It is a type of education and possibility for growth.

Please comment: What are your thoughts on the Leisure Ability Model? How have you used it in practice?