A Strengths Approach to Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation Tools for Positive Change

This article describes an approach and rationale for assessment in therapeutic recreation that is strengths-based and person-centered. Strengths-based assessment is grounded in the ecological approach, the social model of disability, and therapeutic recreation practice models that empha size both leisure and functional ability with outcomes of well-being (e.g., Flourishing through Leisure Model, Leisure and Well-Being Model). Contrasted with assessment processes and tools that focus on finding people’s problems, strengths-based assessments help participants and prac titioners discover strengths such as interests, preferences, talents, dreams, goals, and aspirations. A sampling of assessment tools is presented that focus on people’s strengths, well-being, and life quality, as well as tap into their environmental resources.