Abstract
Facilitated recreational activity groups are important for persons with disabilities as it gives them the opportunity to be part of a community where they can experience being accepted for who they are and that they are of importance to people other than their family. it might also be an arena where they can discover that other persons can relate to their situation. The need to create meaningful relationships with peers is just as important to persons with disabilities as they are to normal persons. The leaders in a facilitated recreational group play a major role in creating this type of environment through their work with the group as well as being positive role models. Research question The main research question in this paper is; in what way do the leaders of a facilitated recreational activity group create an environment that promotes social development? In addition I have a few sub-questions that will help me when doing my observations. Are the leaders using positive communication when communicating with the participants? Do the leaders make sure all participants are included in the activities? And how do they include everyone? Are the leaders giving the participants socially valid roles? Do the leaders show signs of active listening while talking to the participants? Are the activities adapted to the needs of the participants? These are the questions I am trying to answer in this research. Methods This research is a qualitative study, built on observations conducted in a facilitated recreational activity group for adults with developmental disabilities. The data in the analytical part if this text is based on observations conducted in one facilitated recreational activity group in the winter of 2013/14. The observation objects were the leaders of this specific group, and the goal of my observations was to find methods the leaders use, if any, in creating an environment that promoted social development for the participants. Main findings The leaders create an environment that promotes social development through social inclusion, recognition and acceptance of the participants as individuals and as a group, adaption of activities to the participants abilities and interests as well as in the way they communicate with the participants. It is important that the leader is a role model for the members. To be a role model for problem solving and by underlining certain values and attitudes that is positive for the group s development gives the group leader a central function as a process creator within the group. Their goal is to make the group a resource to the individual person. It is important that the leader acknowledges and stimulates those resources that are available within a group Conclusive comments Leaders have an important role when it comes to creating a developing process within a group. These points can, or should, involve planning and initiating, as well as suggesting, informing, clarifying, interpreting, supporting and adapting activities that are beneficial for the group and their development. When all this is in place, a facilitated recreational activity group can function as an arena for social development, and can help give adults with disabilities a better perception of themselves and a feeling of belonging. From my findings during my observations I have seen that all the elements needed for social development is present as the situation is today. The participants are given socially valid roles within the group, the leaders encourages them to participate, the participants are creating meaningful relationships with each other as well as with the leaders, and the leaders are communicating with the participants in a positive way and actively listening to the participants need, wishes and general conversation.