preview

The Value Of The Outdoor Environment

Decent Essays

The value of the outdoor environment was also closely tied to its allowing therapists to address skills in a realistic way. One therapist noted that these situations allowed the “patients skills to be addressed in context in a more comprehensive way, rather than as isolated components as we may be working on in the clinic.” These real life situations also allowed for unexpected situations to arise, which allowed for the assessment of skills such as safety and judgment; or to problem solve, or adapt other situations. One respondent related,” if you have had a stroke or a spinal cord injury and have to use a wheelchair…we want them to get outside of the controlled environment and practice. We might go outside after it rains, and have the patient stay on the path…which may not be wide enough….but if they go off the path, into the mud…that’s real life and they’ll have to deal with it.” Characteristics of the environment, such as wind, often added another dimension to the treatment as one noted, “the wind outside might add another element that the patient has to be able to deal with….like in putting groceries in the car….or maybe debris or items on the ground that you have to avoid….or a puddle of water….how to be safe in those situations.” Some designed identified features as helpful included stop lights, cross walks, mailboxes, and in ground planting beds
The salient aspect of affordances can bring to light some of the differences in outdoor environments in the context

Get Access