Adapted Physical Education

What is Adaptive Physical Education?

In New York State, all elementary and secondary students must receive physical education as a part of their educational program. The federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) enacted by Congress in 1975 entitles all students with Disabilities to receive a free, appropriate public education, including appropriate physical education. Adapted physical education (APE) is vitally important to the quality of life for students with disabilities.

Roslyn Adaptive Physical Education is a developmentally appropriate physical education program which meets the individualized needs of our students. Our instructors can/will adapt, modify, and/or change physical activities so they are appropriate for the students.

Adaptive Physical Education involves differentiating instruction so physical activities are as appropriate for the person with a disability as it is for a person without a disability. An emphasis within the Roslyn Adaptive Physical Education program will be to facilitate participation of students with disabilities with their peers in age-appropriate activities.

Who will teach Adaptive Physical Education?

The Roslyn Adaptive Physical Education program will be taught by an Adaptive Physical Education teacher. An Adaptive Physical Education 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)]. This means that physical education needs to be provided to the student with a disability as part of the special education services that the child and family receive. This is contrasted with physical therapy and occupational therapy, which are related services. These therapies are provided to the child with disabilities only if he/she needs them to benefit from instruction.

What is taught in Adaptive Physical Education?

The Roslyn Adaptive Physical Education program is directly aligned with the New York State Physical Education Standards and Core Curriculum. The primary goal of a quality Physical Education program is to assist students to make the connection between good health, physical activity, and the quality of one’s life, and also to empower them to assume responsibility for their own personal choices.

Federal Law 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.

The New York State Standards of Physical Education emphasizes personal health and fitness, safe and healthy environment, and resource management.

Ways to Adapt Physical Activities?

The following are examples of how Roslyn Adaptive Physical Education Teachers can/will adapt, modify, and/or change physical activities so they are appropriate for the students

Equipment

Larger/Lighter Bats

Use of Velcro

Larger goal/Target

Mark Position on Field

Lower Goal/Basket/Target

Scoops for Catching

Vary Ball (Size weight, color, texture)

Rules, Prompts, Cues

Disregard time limits

Partner Assisted

Oral Prompts