What is Adapted Physical Education?
Adapted physical education is physical education that has been adapted or modified so that it is as appropriate for the person with a disability as it is for a person without a disability.
Federal law requires that physical education be provided to students with disabilities and defines physical education as the development of:
- Physical and motor skills
- Fundamental motor skills and patterns (throwing, catching, walking, running, etc.)
- Skills in aquatics, dance, and individual and group games and sports (including intramural and lifetime sports)
Services provided by an APE teacher may include (adapted from Sherrill, 1998):
- Planning Services
- Assessment of individuals/ecosystems
- Prescription/Placement: The IEP
- Teaching/Counseling/Coaching
- Service evaluation
- Resource Coordination and Consulting
- Defense
The APE teacher is a direct service provider, not a related services provider, because physical education for children with disabilities is a federally mandated component of special education services [USCA 1402 (25)].
SELPA Forms
APE Motor Skill Reference Guide
Additional Resources
California Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Resources
Unified Physical Education
Resources
Contact information
Virginia Pineda
SELPA Program Specialist
Adapted Physical Education Specialist
Assistive Technology Assessor
Email: virginia.pineda@icoe.org
Phone: (760) 312-6509
