Opening Doors to Independence: Why Your Child’s IEP Should Include Recreational Therapy for Leisure Skills

Leisure, as the pursuit of activities we choose to engage in during our free time, holds immense potential for enriching our lives. However, individuals with disabilities often face barriers that hinder their ability to participate fully in leisure activities. The delivery of leisure education to students in Special Education is of paramount importance in promoting independence and quality of life. This exploratory study investigates the delivery of leisure education to students in transition programs, aiming to understand current practices. In addition, this paper makes an argument for the inclusion of recreational therapists in the transition setting and encourages guardians to request recreational therapy as a related service on their child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).