Active participation and social integration service delivery model for youth with autism spectrum disorders

Although the field of recreational therapy has a number of conceptual models of practice, there are few service delivery models. Service delivery models provide practitioners with the frameworks needed to contextualize focused intervention practices to achieve prescribed outcomes. The active participation and social integration (APASI) model provides a framework to recreational therapists for successfully integrating youth with autism spectrum disorders into the recreation mainstream. First, the background, need, and purpose of the APASI model are described, followed by the conceptual and theoretical foundations of the model. Next, the process of the model is detailed. Finally, benefits, limitations, and implications for research and practice are discussed.