Therapeutic Recreation services help children with chronic medical conditions or disabilities participate safely in recreation, leisure and sports. Through goal-focused activities, your child builds functional skills that support physical, social, cognitive and emotional well-being.
Our Approach to Therapeutic Recreation
At Scottish Rite, we believe recreation is not separate from medical care. It is part of your child’s overall care plan. These activities help your child build strength, coordination, confidence and social skills.
We understand the importance of taking physical precautions. That’s why participation in Therapeutic Recreation requires a physician referral. This ensures activities support your child’s medical needs and safety, while still encouraging appropriate challenges.
Scottish Rite’s Therapeutic Recreation team runs hands-on sessions. Your child practices real movements in a structured, supportive environment. This makes it possible to gain skills that transfer into school, home and community settings.
We also work closely with your child’s Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Rheumatology, Developmental Disabilities, Physical Therapy and other therapy teams. This collaboration helps reinforce treatment goals and supports your child’s progress across all areas of care.
Our goal is for your child’s active participation to continue outside our campus. We guide your family in:
- Finding inclusive activities within your community
- Exploring adaptive sports opportunities
- Understanding equipment options
- Connecting with social networks through recreation and leisure
What to Expect with Therapeutic Recreation
When your child is referred to our Therapeutic Recreation team, we use a focused assessment to gather information. We look at your child’s medical history, functioning abilities, recreation and leisure interests and dreams for participation. This preparation allows us to design a personalized plan for your child’s involvement in recreation, leisure and sports.
We encourage family members to observe, provide input and ask questions throughout the visit.
Common concerns for children include:
- Weight management
- Strength and endurance
- Balance and coordination
- Mobility and equipment use
- Developing friends and social connections
- Independence and self-esteem
- Healthy ways to express emotions
Our Therapeutic Recreation team will help guide you and your child to successful involvement in recreation, leisure and sports in your own community and/or at home.
Therapeutic Recreation Programs for Patients
Each of our community outreach programs provides your child with an introduction to adapted activities and are offered seasonally. They build on the same foundation: safe movement, adaptive skill development and real-world participation.
Tennis All-Stars
Tennis All-Stars is a four-week program for Scottish Rite for Children patients ages 6 to 14.
Your child practices tennis skills in a supportive setting that emphasizes fitness, teamwork and healthy competition. Activities are adapted to match your child’s mobility and coordination needs.
The program is offered three months out of the year, with four Wednesday evening sessions from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Scottish Rite for Children – Dallas Campus
Chambers Park Tennis Court
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
[Register]
Adapted Cycle Evaluations
Adapted Cycle Evaluations help children with physical or cognitive challenges ride a bike.
During an individualized evaluation, we assess balance, coordination, strength and positioning. We then make recommendations for an adapt a bike to match your child’s abilities and long-term goals.
Scottish Rite for Children – Dallas Campus
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
Call 214-559-5179
Scottish Rite also serves as an Amtryke® demonstration site. Specialists can conduct evaluations for patients seeking an adapted cycle through an AMBUCS chapter. This option may help children who are unable to operate a traditional bike.
Learn to Golf
Learn to Golf serves Scottish Rite patients across Texas, ages 6 and older with physical challenges.
Your child receives hands-on instruction in golf fundamentals, including grip, stance, swing and course safety. The program builds confidence while introducing skills that support long-term participation in the sport.
Programs are offered in multiple Texas cities throughout the year, thanks to our participating golf professionals statewide:
- Austin
- Bullard
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Frisco
- Grand Prairie
- Houston
- Longview
- Lubbock
[Contact the Learn to Golf Team]
Therapeutic Camps
Our therapeutic camps are designed for Scottish Rite patients who are ready to build independence.
In a structured group setting, campers practice communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills in a supportive, “can do” environment. Activities are adapted to promote safe participation while encouraging appropriate challenges.
Camps are offered seasonally.
Why Choose Us?
A thoughtful balance of safety and growth: Our team understands your child’s medical precautions and how their condition may affect functioning in recreation, leisure and sports. We use this expertise to help your child successfully learn new activity skills and build confidence without unnecessary risk.
Expertise in adaptive recreation: Our specialists combine clinical knowledge with hands-on adaptive sports and inclusive activity training. We evaluate movement, positioning and equipment to support safe, meaningful participation.
A bridge to lifelong activity: We do more than offer programs. We help your child transition into school and community recreation opportunities that support long-term engagement.
-
To participate in Therapeutic Recreation, your child must be a current Scottish Rite patient and referred by an SRC provider or request from a parent or legal guardian.
If your child already receives care at Scottish Rite, ask your child’s care team whether Therapeutic Recreation is appropriate.
If you are unsure whether a referral has been placed, we can help you confirm and guide you through next steps.
-
If your child is admitted into our Inpatient Unit, Therapeutic Recreation can be provided with a doctor’s order.
During inpatient care, our focus is on:
- Maintaining safe movement during recovery
- Improve functional skills
- Reducing stress and isolation
- Encouraging appropriate activity within medical limits
These sessions help your child stay engaged while healing.
Speak with your child’s care team to request services during their stay.
-
During outpatient visits, physician orders allow us to provide structured sessions and leisure education.
Leisure education helps your child:
- Understand their physical abilities
- Learn adaptive techniques
- Try new activities safely
- Identify recreation options that match their interests
- Learn of adaptive or inclusive recreation, leisure and sports in their own community.
These sessions are designed to prepare your child for participation in school and community activities.
-
Inpatient and outpatient TR services are offered throughout the year.
Our team will help you understand timing and enrollment options.
