Adapted Physical Education

ADAPTED

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

John Albert M. Zafra

WHAT IS ADAPTED PHYSICAL

EDUCATION?

WHAT IS ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION?

•Adapted Physical Education is an instructional program provided by

teachers certified in Adapted Physical Education.


•It is a specifically designed physical education program for

students with disabilities who are unable to participate and benefit

fully in regular physical education.


•It is individualized to meet the identified motor/physical

education needs of students in special education.


•The student’s program may include consultation, support, modifications or inclusion in regular PE, OR self-contained Adapted PE instruction, OR a combination of regular and

adapted physical education.

The APE Program includes:

•Instruction by teachers certified in Adapted PE•Peer-tutoring•Buddy Program in regular P.E.•Orientation and Mobility Skills

•Health Education•Creole Curriculum/Wheelchair Sports and Mobility Curriculum•Special Olympics•Sports for individuals with physical disabilities

WHY IS ADAPTED PE IMPORTANT?

Movement is a pre-requisite for most of our educational activities. Individuals

with inefficient movement patterns may encounter added difficulties in

vocational, social, emotional and educational areas.

It is essential to provide success-oriented activities to students who

have interests, capabilities and limitations that are not met

through the regular PE program.Adapted PE emphasizes:

• Physical and motor fitness

• Motor skills and patterns

• Body mechanics

• Individual games and sports for lifetime enjoyment and fitness

• Leisure/recreation activities

• Healthy Lifestyles

Students are also taught to apply motor and recreational skills to

various home and community settings, to facilitate socialization,

self and peer group acceptance, and normalization in the

community.

HOW STUDENTS RECEIVE ADAPTED PE

Students must qualify for Adapted physical education according to

criteria established by the Louisiana Department of Education. When a

student is having difficulty performing in regular physical education, a motor screening is

initially conducted by the regular physical education teacher PRIOR to

referral.

The Academic/ Behavioral Intervention Team at the school will

be contacted. If warranted, evaluation will then be conducted by

Adapted PE personnel. When a student qualifies for APE services, the type and frequency of services

will be determined by the IEP team.

Students who have the following characteristics will be considered for screening and referral:

• Developmental delays in chronologically age-appropriate motor skills;

• Difficulty with equilibrium responses and balance activities;

• Lack of strength, endurance, flexibility;

• Poor body or spatial awareness;

• Chronic medical conditions;

• Lack of appropriate play and socialization behavior;

• Poor auditory processing.

WHERE AND WHEN STUDENTS RECEIVE

ADAPTED PE

Students receive APE during their school day. The class is scheduled according to the needs of the student as indicated on the IEP.

Typically, students participate in some regular physical education with support

from a para-educator or inclusion support from the adapted physical education

teacher.

However, many students require instruction in a self-contained class with other students with disabilities. Instruction may occur outdoors on school grounds, in the gym, or in another defined space.

Reference:http://jpschools.org/department/special-education/adapted-physical-education/