What is Adapted Physical Education?
Adapted Physical Education is physical education which 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 mandates 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)
The 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
- Evaluation of Services
- Coordination of Resources and Consulting
- Advocacy
The APE teacher is a direct service provider, not a related service provider, because physical education for children with disabilities is a federally mandated component of special education services [U.S.C.A. 1402 (25)].
Forms
Resources
Resources to support distance learning for teachers as they provide mandated minutes for PE & APE
- 10 at Home Learning and Movement Activities
- Elementary Physical Educator Remote Teaching and Distance Learning Resources
- Middle School Physical Educator Remote Teaching and Distance Learning Resources
- High School Physical Education Remote Teaching and Distance Learning Resources
- Adapted Physical Education Remote Teaching and Distance Learning Resources for Serving Children and Teens with Disabilities
- K-8 Classroom Teacher Physical Education and Physical Activity Remote Teaching and Distance Learning Resources
- Physical Activity FAQs, Tips, Tools & Strategies for Parents & Families
- Physical Education Blog - At Home Learning Resources