Linking Assessment to Practice: Recreational Therapy Applications Using SSBS-2 and HCSBS in Schools

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions

October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA

The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.

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Session Description

This poster highlights how recreational therapy (RT) can be used in school settings to support social skill development and reduce disruptive behaviors in K–12 students with disabilities. The program uses a structured, activity-based group model that emphasizes peer interaction, real-time skill practice, and guided processing. Assessment tools, including the School Social Behavior Scale (SSBS-2) and Home and Community Social Behavior Scales (HCSBS), were used to identify student needs, guide intervention planning, and evaluate changes in social and behavioral functioning across settings. Findings demonstrate improvements in social competence, with more gradual changes in antisocial behaviors. Practical implications include strategies for implementing group-based RT services, facilitating engagement, and supporting carryover of skills into classroom and home environments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the key components of a structured, activity-based recreational therapy (RT) group model used to support social competence and behavioral regulation in K–12 students. Apply assessment data from the School Social 2. Behavior Scale (SSBS-2) and Home and Community Social Behavior Scales (HCSBS) to identify target areas and inform RT intervention planning. 3. Demonstrate at least two RT strategies for facilitating peer interaction, promoting social skill development, and supporting behavioral regulation within group-based programming.

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

Target Audience

Primary Presenter

Kelley McCubbin, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater

Biographical Information

Kelley McCubbin, PhD, CTRS/L is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Oklahoma State University whose research focuses on social and behavioral outcomes in recreational therapy, particularly among individuals with developmental and behavioral conditions. Her work explores the relationship between psychosocial factors and functional outcomes, with an emphasis on social competence, behavioral regulation, and participation. She is especially interested in assessment-informed practice and the use of structured, activity-based interventions to support meaningful engagement and reduce barriers to participation across settings.

ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions