Dr. Howard Rusk understood the importance of therapeutic recreation and its value to patients whose lives were suddenly compromised due to a disabling illness or injury. With that guiding principle, the department was created in the late 1950s as a therapeutic recreation program. Since that time the department has grown to include the professional disciplines of child life, music therapy and art therapy. As a fundamental part of the rehabilitation process, the department aims to provide patient and family-centered treatment using various integrative modalities that may be therapeutic and/or diversional. All interventions provide patients the most autonomous experience possible and all programs are adapted to meet the various physical and developmental needs and abilities of the individuals served. Programs are provided to adult and pediatric patients seven days a week.
Recreation Therapy
Recreation therapists utilize a wide range of techniques and developmentally appropriate activities to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure needs of pediatric and adult patients. A recreation therapist works with the patient and family members to help improve their health condition by assisting in skill development, knowledge and behaviors for daily living and community involvement.Patients participate in activities that will foster independence and learn new or adaptive skills that may be better suited to their current health needs. In addition, Rusk therapists work on community reintegration by teaching patients how to use community resources and allowing them to practice navigating common leisure sites (ie restaurants, movie theaters, etc).
Child Life
Child life specialists assess children’s understanding of and adjustment to the hospital environment and utilize medical play and other therapeutic interventions for teaching/preparation, expression, coping and mastery. Playrooms are central locations for socialization, normalization, creative expression and diversion.
Art Therapy
Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process of artistic self-expression helps people resolve conflict and problem solve, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, self-awareness and achieve insight. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture and other art media) and the creative process.
Music Therapy
Music therapists use music within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.
General Goals and Highlights
Treatment goals are based on the specific needs of each patient but the following programs are designed to achieve general goals such as:
Many of the Therapeutic Recreation, Child Life & Creative Arts Therapies Department’s programs are made possible through collaborations with the following organizations:
Recreation Therapy
Recreation therapists utilize a wide range of techniques and developmentally appropriate activities to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure needs of pediatric and adult patients. A recreation therapist works with the patient and family members to help improve their health condition by assisting in skill development, knowledge and behaviors for daily living and community involvement.Patients participate in activities that will foster independence and learn new or adaptive skills that may be better suited to their current health needs. In addition, Rusk therapists work on community reintegration by teaching patients how to use community resources and allowing them to practice navigating common leisure sites (ie restaurants, movie theaters, etc).
Child Life
Child life specialists assess children’s understanding of and adjustment to the hospital environment and utilize medical play and other therapeutic interventions for teaching/preparation, expression, coping and mastery. Playrooms are central locations for socialization, normalization, creative expression and diversion.
Art Therapy
Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process of artistic self-expression helps people resolve conflict and problem solve, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, self-awareness and achieve insight. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture and other art media) and the creative process.
Music Therapy
Music therapists use music within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.
General Goals and Highlights
Treatment goals are based on the specific needs of each patient but the following programs are designed to achieve general goals such as:
- Providing opportunities for patients to experience success, control, creativity and self expression
- Making hospitalization a positive, meaningful experience
- Normalizing the medical environment through familiar toys and activities
- Serving as a resource to health professionals regarding play, development, and adjustment to illness, medical treatment and/or hospitalization
- Assisting patients with achieving functional skills
- Developing, enhancing, and/or maintaining a person’s leisure/social lifestyle
- Initiating community re-integration
- Assisting with stress management
- Utilizing and teaching pain management techniques
- Providing opportunities to enhance memory
- Improving communication
- Supporting the overall physical rehabilitation process
- Stroke Groups
- Relaxation & Stress Management
- Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities
- Digital Photography
- Photo-journaling
- Sunday Socials
- Jewelry Workshops
- Aroma Therapy
- Weekly performers/concerts
- Annual Family Day
- Sing Alongs/Drumming Circles
- Holiday celebrations
- Weekly Teen Nights and Support
- GroupsAnimal Assisted Therapy/Activities
- Community Excursions (theater, sporting events, restaurants, etc)
- Look What I Can Do! Program featuring the Rusk GrafittiWall
- Procedural accompaniment and • support (to procedures on unit or off)
- Monthly parent groups (Cooking w/professional Chef; Social outings)
- Children’s Cooking Groups
- Rusk Players Choir/Theater Troupe
- Children’s Museum of the Arts
- Creating Connections program
- Holiday and birthday parties
- Various performers weekly/monthly/yearly (clowns, magicians, etc)
- Only Make Believe Theatrical Program
- Sibling Support Groups
- Parent Spa Nights
Many of the Therapeutic Recreation, Child Life & Creative Arts Therapies Department’s programs are made possible through collaborations with the following organizations:
- Children’s Museum of the Arts
- The Creative Center: Arts in Healthcare
- Dalton School
- Delta Society
- Garden of Dreams Foundation
- The Good Dog Foundation
- HAI
- The Juilliard School of Performing Arts
- Lollipop Theater Network
- Music That Heals
- Musicians on Call
- Museum of Modern Art
- NY Cares
- NY Police Department
- Only Make Believe
- Project Sunshine
- Shakespeare on Wheels
- Siemens
- Starlight/Starbright Children’s
- FoundationUnited Spinal Association
