Alexander G.

Bell
Section A: Introduction
Alex is an 11 year old male with spastic cerebral palsy. He is a manual wheelchair user. He has just
finished a bowling unit in physical education at Tele ISD (see Attachment B). Alex has shown great
interest in bowling and is interested in joining a recreation league. His parents (see interview questions
Attachment B) want to trial run bowling at the Tele Rec Center once a week on Wednesday evenings. If
this proves to be successful (see Authentic Assessment), Alex will be able to join a rec league with his
peers next March.
Section B: General Physical Educator Interview
1. How long was your bowling unit? One hour/week for a three week unit
2. What skills did you practice during the bowling unit? Hand/finger placement while
holding the ball, positioning/aiming the ramp, pushing the ball down the ramp,
scoring, and lane etiquette.
3. How could you tell Alex enjoyed the bowling unit? His body language showed he was
eager to participate. He constantly asked when we were going to bowl again.
4. What teaching cues were used? whose turn?, check ramp position, and how
many pins are left
5. Did Alex work better in a group or individually? Individually
6. Any behavior issues? Initially he was agitated because it was a new unit he was
unfamiliar with. Alex quickly adjusted and loved our bowling unit.
7. What (if any) equipment modifications were used? Ramp
8. Do you think Alex would benefit from joining a recreational bowling league? Yes. He
could use the social interaction and skill improvement.
9. Where (i.e., gymnasium, bowling alley) did you bowl during physical education? Our
unit was conducted in the school gymnasium.
10. What is his present level of performance? Alexs average score for three games was
82.
Section C: Parent Interview
1. Does Alex have any siblings that also want to participate in bowling? Yes, he has an
older brother who would like to participate in bowling too.
2. What other physical activities is Alex interested in? Wheelchair basketball and
wheelchair soccer
3. Has Alex always been interested in bowling? No, he just learned bowling in his
general physical education class.
4. Is Alex taking any medication? Valium (muscle relaxant)
5. Does Alex need assistance with his manual wheelchair? No
6. Does Alex need financial help with costs associated with bowling? No, we are able to
cover the costs associated with bowling.
7. Does Alex need transportation assistance to get to the bowling alley? No, we have a

family van that is wheelchair accessible. We also live close to public transportation
that is also wheelchair accessible. He has taken the bus before on his own.
8. Does Alex have any known allergies? No
9. How long do you envision the trial bowling lasting? Two months
10. What is your ultimate goal for Alex bowling? We want to enroll Alex and his brother in
a spring bowling league together.
Section D: Appropriateness of Leisure Skill Facility (Tele Rec Center)
1.

Is skill or facility selected appropriate for individuals without disabilities of the

same chronological age? Yes bowling is a lifetime sport that all people can
enjoy on a regular basis to stay physically fit.

2.

Has the individual with disabilities previously acquired any skills

related to the activity? Yes, he has participated in a bowling unit in his

physical
education course.
3.

If the particular responses would be difficult to perform, are material/procedural

adaptations available to enhance participation? A bowling ramp is provided and
paraprofessional is available for assistance.

4.

Does the individual with disabilities have access to the facility or materials
(distance from home, transportation concerns)? Parent transportation is
available. If circumstances arise, there is access to community bus service from
home to the bowling alley.

5.

Has the individual with disabilities expressed interest in this particular

activity? Yes, his family wants to join a bowling league. Wednesday has

$1
games and shoe rental.
Section E: Description of Leisure Skills: Environmental Inventory/Discrepancy Analysis
Tele Rec Center
Sub-environment/
What are the steps that a person without disabilities uses?
Activity
Bus
Transportation

*when
necessary

Locates correct bus route

Determines time of bus departure
Determines bus number
Uses ramp to enter bus
Says thank you to bus driver
Make sure wheels are locked and belt fastened before bus is in motion
Determines correct stop to Tele Rec Center

Entrance

Locates the entrance

Go through the entrance
Go to front desk
Purchase games
Determine family meeting area
Locates locker area
Places jacket in locker
Locks locker

Bowling area

Locates assigned alley lane

Chooses correct ball size
Interacts with fellow bowlers

Bowling

Wheels up to ramp
Helps adjust bowling ramp
Uses proper bowling etiquette
Locates foul line
Pushes ball down ramp
Determine number of pins knocked down (verify with overhead scoring)
If not a strike, reposition ramp and bowl second attempt
Demonstrates good sportsmanship

Locker area

Locates locker area

Enters locker area
Unlocks locker
Takes jacket
Locates family meeting location
Leaves bowling alley

Bus
Transportation

*when
necessary
Locates correct bus route
Determines time of bus departure
Determines bus number
Uses ramp to enter bus
Says thank you to bus driver
Make sure wheels are locked and belt fastened before bus is in motion
Determines correct stop to home
Section F: Description of Leisure/Facility Environments (Tele Rec Center)
1.

General description of leisure environment. The Tele Rec Center is a 12 lane

facility encompassing 12,000 square feet. It is located in Tele, Texas off of
Highway 32. It employs 10 full time staff members. The staff is trained to work
with customers with special needs through a workshop conducted by the Tele
Rec Center manager. The Tele Rec Center is universally designed to allow
access for all (i.e., ramps and lever door handles). Doors have handicap
accessible buttons for entrance and exit. Rest rooms have at least one
wheelchair accessible stall. Concession and check in counters are low enough to
serve customers who are wheelchair users. Automated scoring has large font for
easy reading. Bowling ramps are available for patrons.

2.

Conditions under which the participant will be required to participate and interact
(who else will be there, noise level, other distractors, etc...)? There are 12 lanes
at the Tele Rec Center, which is frequently at full capacity. The noise level can be
very loud which may be a distraction for some. Music is also playing during
operating hours. On top of all this, announcements can also be heard. On
Saturday nights, they have midnight bowling where the lights are turned off and
neon lights are on. Fog is also used for midnight bowling. Teenagers on Saturday
nights typically make up cliental. League competitions take place on weekday
evenings. Monday night is womens league, Wednesday night is youth league,
and Friday night is mens league.

3.

Diagram of facility or environment.

Section G: Description of Social Environment

1. What social interactions with peers, supervisors, and others are required in the
immediate environment? Interaction will take place at check in counter. Locker room
and bowling lanes peer interaction will take place. If Alex chooses to take city
transportation, that would also include peer interaction.
2.

What is the typical dress for the environment? Street wear and bowling shoes
(Alex is a wheelchair user thus bowling shoes are not required)

Section H: List of Required Equipment and Materials

1. Provide a detailed listing (and description as needed) of all the equipment and
materials that a person may come in contact with in the environment.
Bowling ball-available in 6 to 14 lbs
Bowling ramp-adjustable for height

Bowling shoes-available in mens/women/kids sizes (varying)

Scoreboard-used to track game scoring
Section I: Physical Considerations: Manipulatory, Motoric, Health
Describe each motor response using the following as a guideline:
1.

Number and complexity of coordinated movement patterns?

a. Push wheelchair up to ramp
b. Hold ball
c. Place ball on ramp
d. Push ball down ramp
e. Return to sitting area

2.

What strength is required to perform activities/manipulate materials?

Upper Body and Core Strength: (pushing wheelchair, holding ball, placing ball on
ramp, pushing down ramp)

3.

What body positions and flexibility are required to perform activities?

a. Sitting up straight
b. Eccentric contraction (lengthening of arms when pushing wheelchair
manually)

4.

What speed is required to perform activities? Activities can be performed at own

pace.

5.

What levels of endurance are required to perform activity? Bowling three games
may take Alex up to two hours (or more).Variation in time may depend on how
quickly peers transition through frames.

5.

What are the minimal health conditions necessary to participate in activity? As

long as Alex does not experience any seizures while bowling, he can
safely participate.

Section J: Perceptual Considerations: Visual, Auditory, Body Awareness

1.

What visual skills (including discrimination) are needed in the environment and in
activity? If patrons can see the pins they can use them for visual reference.
Otherwise, there are small arrows on the lanes that assist in direction and
positioning. If a patron cannot see the small arrows, auditory assistance is
available per request. Neon balls are available to assist with visual cues.

2.

What auditory skills (including discrimination) are needed in the environment and
in activity? The bowling alley is a loud environment. Those sensitive to sounds
can wear ear plugs or noise canceling headphones. Other options include
coming at times where the Tele Rec Center is less crowded (i.e., early afternoons
or weekdays).

3.

What body awareness skills are needed in the environment and in activity? Be
aware of press sores from sitting for long periods of time. Be aware of ramp
distance from chair. Choose a ball that is of appropriate weight. Emptying
catheter before bowling begins.

Section K: Interpersonal Interaction Considerations: Exchange between Participants

1. What are the typical types of interactions occur in the environment (e.g., turn taking,
cooperating, unstructured)? Alex must be able to pay for games bowled. He must find
his alley and bowling ball. Take turns with other lane members. Ask for assistance if

necessary. Use bowling etiquette (i.e., dont bowl when someone in the lane next to
him is bowling). Stopping after he has bowled his three games.
2. What optional interactions might you expect (e.g., getting a drink)? Visit concession
stand, use rest room, and using the locker area are optional interactions.
3. What are the language requirements in the environment (list typical nouns, verbs,
cues, and statements used in activity)? Your turn/my turn, strike, spare, open frame,
foul, score, and good game.
Section L: Functional Academics: Reading, Writing, Math/Scoring, Time Telling
What reading skills are needed? Can they be by-passed with modifications
2.

What writing skills are needed? Can they be by-passed with

modifications? Be able to put name in score system. Read whose turn it

is
(recognize your name).
3.

What math skills are needed? Can they be by-passed with modifications? There
is automated scoring, however, it is important to double check to make sure it is
accurate. Therefore, knowing to add last ball +10 after a spare and last two balls
+10 after a strike.

4.

What time telling skills are needed? If Alex is catching the bus he needs to know
what time. He needs to know what time his parents are picking him up.

Section M: What Decisions/Judgments are Necessary for Successful Participation?

1. What time and situation judgments may have to be made by the person with a
disability to successfully participate in the leisure activity? Avoid going over the foul
line to void any scores. Avoid a ball that is too heavy (difficulty placing on to ramp).
Avoid placing wheelchair too far from ramp. Avoid bowling again after a strike has
been made.
Section N: Authentic Assessment Rubric
Bowling Authentic Assessment
Name
Criteria/Components/Concepts

1. Wheels up to ramp
2. Helps adjust bowling
ramp
3. Uses proper bowling
etiquette
4. Locates foul line
5. Pushes ball down ramp
6. Determine number of pins
knocked down (verify with
overhead scoring)
7. If not a strike, reposition
ramp and bowl second
attempt

Check () to indicate level of performance met.

Seldom

Sometimes

Frequently

Most

8. Demonstrates good
sportsmanship
Levels of Performance
Most - Criterion demonstrated 75%+ of the time.
Frequently - Criterion demonstrated MORE than (>50%) half of the time.
Sometimes - Criterion demonstrated in LESS than (<50%) half of the time.
Seldom - Doesn't demonstrate criterion.

Authentic Assessment Question Authors: Emes and Velde (2005)

Bowling Diagram: Eddie Langoroodi (2015)