The document defines adapted physical education as a specifically designed physical education program for students with disabilities who are unable to fully participate in a regular physical education class. Adapted physical education is individualized to meet the motor and physical education needs of students in special education, and can involve inclusion in regular classes, self-contained adapted classes, or a combination. The goals of adapted physical education include physical fitness, motor skills, leisure activities, and teaching skills for home and community use to promote socialization and acceptance.

1. ADAPTED
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
John Albert M. Zafra

2. WHAT IS
ADAPTED
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION?

3. WHAT IS ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
•Adapted Physical Education is an
instructional program provided by
teachers certified in Adapted
Physical Education.

4. WHAT IS 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.

5. WHAT IS ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
•It is individualized to meet the
identified motor/physical
education needs of students in
special education.

6. WHAT IS ADAPTED PHYSICAL 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.

7. The APE
Program
includes:

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

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

10. WHY IS ADAPTED
PE IMPORTANT?

11. 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.

12. 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:

13. • Physical and motor fitness
• Motor skills and patterns
• Body mechanics
• Individual games and sports for
lifetime enjoyment and fitness
• Leisure/recreation activities
• Healthy Lifestyles

14. 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.

15. HOW STUDENTS
RECEIVE ADAPTED PE

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. • 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.

20. WHERE AND WHEN
STUDENTS RECEIVE
ADAPTED PE

21. 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.

22. 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.

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