Recreational Therapy in OT?

I am wondering if recreational therapy is at all a part of the OT discipline? I like the idea of introducing activities and hobbies to people in order to help them find some relief, distraction, joy, whatever you want to call it, to cope with their suffering in daily living (be it physical, mental, or emotional). I've looked into recreational therapy and it appears to be a kind of DOA field--pretty low pay and not in high demand at all. Is there any way to integrate it into your work as an OT or is it too specialized? Or is it more related to the world of PT? Just curious...

I'm so glad people are responding on this site. I've been in a career exploration mode for 1 year, and people's responses have been very helpful to me in my search.

I have heard of an OT that takes people whitewater rafting, camping, etc. Hope this helps.

A in Charlottesville, Virginia said: I am wondering if recreational therapy is at all a part of the OT discipline? I like the idea of introducing activities and hobbies to people in order to help them find some relief, distraction, joy, whatever you want to call it, to cope with their suffering in daily living (be it physical, mental, or emotional). I've looked into recreational therapy and it appears to be a kind of DOA field--pretty low pay and not in high demand at all. Is there any way to integrate it into your work as an OT or is it too specialized? Or is it more related to the world of PT? Just curious...

I'm so glad people are responding on this site. I've been in a career exploration mode for 1 year, and people's responses have been very helpful to me in my search.

Casa Colina Rehab hospital in Pomona, California has many programs for the TBI patients Baskeball teams etc. I would give them a call and ask about all the cool postions that involve OT. Hope this helps.

Just an fyi, many of these "creative" aspects are nice but just very difficult to perform considering the money-driven reimbursement aspect of the job.....someone has to pay for it. I like to be creative but sometimes wondering where funds will come from can be frustrating. The well-paying OT jobs out there will be limiting on what you can do creatively. Most times its all about getting the minutes!!!!!argghhhhh!!!!!