Developed by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, the Standards reflect levels of service provision for therapeutic recreation professionals to implement in a variety of settings. The Standards will assist the therapeutic recreation professional in assuring the systematic provision of quality therapeutic recreation services.

Standard 1: The therapeutic recreation specialist conducts an individualized assessment to collect systematic, comprehensive and accurate data necessary to determine a course of action and subsequent individualized treatment plan.

Standard 2: The therapeutic recreation specialist plans and develops the individualized treatment plan that identifies goals, objectives and treatment intervention strategies.

Standard 3: The therapeutic recreation specialist implements the individualized treatment plan using appropriate intervention strategies to restore, remediate or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. Implementation of the treatment plan by the therapeutic recreation specialist is consistent with the overall patient/client treatment program.

Standard 4: The therapeutic recreation specialist systematically evaluates and compares the client's response to the individualized treatment plan. The treatment plan is revised based upon changes in the interventions, diagnosis and patient/client responses.

Standard 5: The therapeutic recreation specialist develops a discharge plan in collaboration with the patient/client, family, and other treatment team members in order to continue treatment, as appropriate.

Standard 6: Recreation opportunities are available to patients/clients to promote or improve their general health and well-being.

Standard 7: The therapeutic recreation specialist adheres to the ATRA Code of Ethics.

Standard 8: The therapeutic recreation department is governed by a written plan of operation that is based upon ATRA Standards of the Practice of Therapeutic Recreation and standards of other accrediting/regulatory agencies, as appropriate.

Standard 9: The therapeutic recreation department has established provisions for assuring that therapeutic recreation staff maintain appropriate credentials and have opportunities for professional development.

Standard 10: Within the therapeutic recreation department, there exists an objective and systematic quality improvement program for the purposes of monitoring and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of care, and to identify and resolve problems in order to improve therapeutic recreation services.

Standard 11: Therapeutic recreation services are provided in an effective and efficient manner that reflects the reasonable and appropriate use of resources.

Standard 12: The therapeutic recreation department engages in routine, systematic program evaluation and research for the purpose of determining appropriateness and efficacy.

ATRA Standards of Practice Task Force
American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 1991.