ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION

SPECIALLY DESIGNED INSTRUCTION IN PE

WHAT IS ADAPTED
PE?
Adapted Physical Education (APE) is
instruction in physical education that
is specially designed to meet the
unique needs of a child with a
disability.

The Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA) is a law that
ensures eligible children with
disabilities receive a free, appropriate
public education which includes
special education and related
services.

APE is part of a student’s

Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
 WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR
ADAPTED PE (APE)?
• APE is for any student who is
unable to learn, progress, and/or
participate in general PE.

• Not all students with a disability

require APE.

• Eligibility is determined by an
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
and an IEP team convenes to
discuss and evaluate the plan.

• Based on the student’s

information and performance
data, the IEP will determine the
recommended services.
 All
Physical
WHO CAN
Educators
INSTRUCT APE?
Are Not
• In PA, a certified physical
Creatively
Equal education teacher can provide
It takes a team
APE to students with disabilities.
effort with great
collaboration

• An APE Specialist Credential is an

added authorization a certified
teacher can obtain which
authorizes the educator to
conduct assessments and
provide additional Special Ed
supports.

• An instructor or admin with

knowledge of the PE curriculum
must be involved in the IEP
development for a student
requiring APE.
THE BENEFITS OF ADAPTED PE

▪ Promotes physical activity

▪ Develops fundamental motor skills
▪ Enhances self-esteem and self-image
▪ Increases physical independence
▪ Decreases health-related complications
▪ Allows children to participate in an
environment with typically-developing
peers.
 APE NATIONAL STANDARDS (APENS)
THESE ARE THE NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATORS PROVIDING ADAPTED PE

Standard 1= Human Development Standard 9= Instructional Design & Planning

Standard 2= Motor Behavior Standard 10= Teaching

Standard 3= Exercise Science Standard 11= Consultation & Staff Development

Standard 4= Measurement & Evaluation Standard 12= Program Evaluation

Standard 5= History & Philosophy Standard 13= Continuing Education

Standard 6= Unique Attributes of Learners Standard 14= Ethics

Standard 7= Curriculum Theory & Development Standard 15= Communication

Standard 8= Assessment
ADAPTED PE
GUIDING QUESTIONS

• What are the student’s strengths

in PE?

• What does the student need in PE?

• How does the student’s disability

affect their participation in PE?

• Can the student participate in

general PE with accommodations?

• How can the PE instruction be

differentiated so the student can
participate?
THE IMPORTANCE OF
THE INDIVIDUALIZED
EDUCATION PLAN (IEP)
• The IEP team determines if
a student’s needs can be
met in PE class.

• Needs can be met with

supplementary aids,
services, modifications or
accommodations.

• The IEP team may

determine that specially
designed instruction (SDI)
will be the best method to
allow the student to
progress through the PE
curriculum and participate
in class.
DEVELOPING ADAPTED PE INSTRUCTION
▪ Instruction is designed specifically to
the needs and abilities of the student
based on their IEP goals & objectives.
▪ There are many modification options
in physical education that can allow
students to access the PE curriculum
and participate.
▪ An adapted sport example for
basketball could include:
▪ shorter or larger hoop
▪ smaller or larger ball
▪ ball that beeps or lights up
 ADAPTED PE ACCOMMODATION STRATEGIES
SMALL CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AND THE RULES
ADDITIONAL
ADAPTED PE
RESOURCES

Shape America Teache

r’s Toolbox- Adapted P
E

SupportRealTeachers.
org-Adapted PE

Total Education Soluti

ons
WORKS CITED

Total Education Solutions

PA Dept. of Education- Bureau of Special Ed- Adapted PE

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction