ATRA Leader John Jacobson on Name Change
There was a post from John M. Jacobson on the ATRA Members' Forum that is worth reading. Here is what John said:
I commend the Board of Directors for using this forum for active membership discussion, and for not taking an stand on the issue at this point. The discussion has been great and is bringing me out of retirement, well for the moment.
When this issue first came up many years ago, I remember writing a letter to then ATRA President Thom Skalko urging that the name not be changed, but remain ATRA. I was very wrong.
Alot has happened since then. Thanks to alot of dedicated people in our profession, our profession has really evolved. When I first started practicing, my title was "Rec Specialist", then "Therapeutic Recreation Specialist" in the VA, which soon changed to Recreational Therapist. In my career, I have been heavily involved in working on a national level with APTA, AOTA, CARF, etc. No one can refute that we are now largely known as "recreational therapists", and we practice "recreational therapy". It is a term well understood and known by our important external customers. As others have pointed out, it does not matter which word is first. Just look at the first words for physical, occupational, and speech therapists. What is important is that therapy is next to it.
When a person not affiliated with our profession hears the word "therapeutic" it brings to mind the definition "...is good, helpful, healthful". It is a vague word meant to be that way. A dog can be therapeutic. Alot of people not trained or certified can do therapuetic recreation. But "therapy" by definition means "treatment of illness, disability". What we do is therapy. We treat patients or clients whether in a facility or in the community.
I understand it is often difficult to make changes. Our professional organization has been "ATRA" for 25 years. But we must make this change, and change our name to the American Recreational Therapy Association to truly reflect who and what we are. I doubt that any costs will be substantial in this day of quick, immediate and easy electronic changes. That should not be a concern. In the long run, it would be pennies worth their weight in gold.
When the vote occurs, I hope all members will take the time to think about the issue, and make an informed vote.
My best to all.
John M. Jacobson
I commend the Board of Directors for using this forum for active membership discussion, and for not taking an stand on the issue at this point. The discussion has been great and is bringing me out of retirement, well for the moment.
When this issue first came up many years ago, I remember writing a letter to then ATRA President Thom Skalko urging that the name not be changed, but remain ATRA. I was very wrong.
Alot has happened since then. Thanks to alot of dedicated people in our profession, our profession has really evolved. When I first started practicing, my title was "Rec Specialist", then "Therapeutic Recreation Specialist" in the VA, which soon changed to Recreational Therapist. In my career, I have been heavily involved in working on a national level with APTA, AOTA, CARF, etc. No one can refute that we are now largely known as "recreational therapists", and we practice "recreational therapy". It is a term well understood and known by our important external customers. As others have pointed out, it does not matter which word is first. Just look at the first words for physical, occupational, and speech therapists. What is important is that therapy is next to it.
When a person not affiliated with our profession hears the word "therapeutic" it brings to mind the definition "...is good, helpful, healthful". It is a vague word meant to be that way. A dog can be therapeutic. Alot of people not trained or certified can do therapuetic recreation. But "therapy" by definition means "treatment of illness, disability". What we do is therapy. We treat patients or clients whether in a facility or in the community.
I understand it is often difficult to make changes. Our professional organization has been "ATRA" for 25 years. But we must make this change, and change our name to the American Recreational Therapy Association to truly reflect who and what we are. I doubt that any costs will be substantial in this day of quick, immediate and easy electronic changes. That should not be a concern. In the long run, it would be pennies worth their weight in gold.
When the vote occurs, I hope all members will take the time to think about the issue, and make an informed vote.
My best to all.
John M. Jacobson
posted by Hoosier RT | 9:05 AM
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