As we grow through leisure education, we tend to manage challenges to leisure and gravitate to positive experiences. These positive encounters transport us toward achieving the ultimate goals of experiencing leisure, being happy, and flourishing. The intention of "Leisure Education Program Planning, fifth edition," is to share…

The figure presented on the front cover of this book depicts a model for inclusive leisure services grounded in social justice. The model identifies the overall goal of our services--to ensure people experience leisure, as highlighted in the center circle of the figure. Fundamental principles of inclusive leisure services are contained in the…

In "Inclusive Leisure Services" (4th ed.), John Dattilo discusses the importance of including all people in leisure services, offering an educational model for learning about considerations and strategies to promote inclusive leisure services. He begins each chapter with an orientation activity including questions to stimulate reflection…

The most significant change in this edition of "Leisure Education Program Planning" is the infusion of information gleaned from writings by some of the leaders of the positive psychology movement. These readings provide valuable perspectives and insights about concepts related to leisure and leisure education. The book is organized into…

Older Asian immigrants experience a variety of challenges when attempting to adapt to life in a new society. Adjustment difficulties associated with cultural differences among older Asian immigrants and the host country may result in a certain levels of acculturative stress. This stress is negatively associated with health and quality of life. In…

Changes were noted in behaviors of attending and manipulation during each of three conditions and were replicated across four students (8-12 years old) to support the conclusion of a difference between students' behaviors during participation in a chosen leisure activity and behaviors during participation in the same activity without choice.…

A switch-activated microcomputer was used to systematically access the leisure preferences of three severely disabled non-speaking children (ages 10-12). Subjects were provided with a choice between two of five leisure activities (such as listening to music, watching action videos, and feeling vibrations). (Author/DB)

The recreation participation patterns of adults with (n=100) and without (n=100) mental retardation were compared using in-depth interviews. Adults with mental retardation reported participating in far fewer recreational activities than peers without disabilities. Similarities between the two groups were found in the types and ranking of…

Investigated the effects of a leisure education program that taught self-determination, leisure appreciation, and social interaction to four young adults with mental retardation during free time at their vocational training center. Interviews and behavior observations showed that the program improved participants' positive affect but not their…

Reports a study that examined the leisure orientations of 222 low-income women. Subjects were predominantly black, predominantly overweight, and not employed outside the home. Survey data indicated positive correlations between self-esteem and active participation in recreation activities and negative correlations between self-esteem and leisure…

Therapeutic recreation professionals often use aquatic therapy to improve physiological and psychological functioning, and they have reported improvements for people with many different types of disabilities. The paper discusses aquatic therapy methods, water as a therapeutic environment, professional training and development, and lifestyle…

A computer program interpreted three subjects' (ages 6-10) microswitch activations to produce three distinct types of events (visual, auditory, and tactile). Data obtained from the computerized assessment procedure revealed idiosyncratic preference patterns for the three subjects. Results demonstrated that preferences of severely handicapped…

This paper clarifies terms associated with leisure service delivery for children and adults with mental retardation; outlines limitations of past and existing leisure services; and suggests the development of leisure services that involve social integration, active participation, development of age-appropriate behaviors, self-determination, and…

This study examined the integration of "leisure" into the ideology of Alcoholics Anonymous. Participant-observation and in-depth interviews found parallels between the concept of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous and philosophical ideals of leisure both as conditions of freedom from compelled activity and freedom to engage in meaningful…

Leisure service providers can help enhance the lives of people with mental retardation. By complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, recreation facilities and services can be designed and structured to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, enhancing their sense of competence and self-determination as…