Adapted Physical Education (APE) is a specially designed physical education program which uses accommodations and modifications to meet the needs of students who require developmental or corrective instruction in PE. For example, a game of catch can be adapted in multiple ways based on the needs of a student. A ball with a bumpy texture or with a bell inside can be used for students with tactile or auditory needs, the distance the ball is thrown or bounced can be decreased for students , or a scarf could be used for students who do not have full ability of their arms.
In the school systems that I have been in there has seemed to be a shortage in APE teachers and programs. For example, in the Stephenville schools I have noticed that students with special needs or disabilities are basically getting pushed to the back of the line. This is by no means right in any way at all. Congress enacted a law in 1975 that gave all children with disabilities the opportunity to receive a free public education just like normal children. This was to be called IDEA, “Individuals with Disabilities Act”.(1) Over the last year and half while substituting for schools in Erath County,it seemed that the APE program did not exist at all. I did notice that from the 6th grade and below there was a small amount of PE or recess time for these students. Then once the students were between 7-12th grade there was no PE or recess for them. The students in the high school only go outside for 30 minutes a day, otherwise they stay inside the school the entire day. During PE class they attend normal PE however the students who are confined to wheelchairs just sit off to the side with the teachers. The students who are able to walk/run on their own are basically just told to walk around the outside of the basketball court. None of the students with disabilities get any sort of physical activity that.
The national standards for APE are set by the Adaptive Physical Education National Standards APENS.(2) Federal law mandates free and appropriate public education services for all children with disabilities. Subsequently, the law mandated that these services be provided by qualified professionals. The definition of special education within this law included the discipline of physical education.
Adaptive Physical Education Standards
“APENS”
At the end of my last blog “The Need to have Adaptive Physical Education in the School Systems”, I ended by giving a brief introduction to APENS. Federal law mandates free and appropriate public education services for all children with disabilities. Subsequently, the law mandated that these services be provided by qualified professionals.Within this law, the definition of special education included the discipline of physical education.(3) In the United States there are only 14 states that have defined an endorsement or certification in adapted physical education. The worst thing,in my opinion, is that 36 states don’t do not recognize nor endorse the certification their teachers need to provide adequate adapted physical education to the students with disabilities.
The sole purpose of APENS is to ensure that physical education is taught to students with disabilities by a certified and qualified teacher of physical education. The APENS devised a set of 15 National Standards that must be met in order to become a qualified adaptive physical education teacher. Along with this APENS established a national certification exam to measure specialized content.
15 National Standards:(4)
- Human Development
- Motor Behavior
- Exercise Science
- Measurement and Evaluation
- History and Philosophy
- UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF LEARNERS
- CURRICULUM THEORY AND DEVELOPMENT
- ASSESSMENT
- INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PLANNING
- Teaching
- CONSULTATION AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- STUDENT AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
- CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Ethics
- COMMUNICATION
To see all of the standards in their full description you can acquire the guide Adapted Physical Education National Standards Guide.(5)
The goal of APENS is to promote a nationally certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) – the one qualified person who can make meaningful decisions for children with disabilities in physical education – within every school district in the country.(4)
How to become an Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
Adapted physical education teachers are physical education teachers that are trained to evaluate and assess motor competence, physical fitness, play, recreation, leisure, and sports skills. Adapted physical education teachers are then capable of developing and implementing an IEP program based on the findings of their assessment.
APE teachers must have knowledge and competencies in the following areas: (6)
- Developmental teaching methods in physical and motor fitness, fundamental motor skills, and skills in individual sports and other activities, as well as group sports and games
- Knowledge of motor control for teaching physical education to individuals with disabilities
- Knowledge of developmental sequences and motor characteristics associated with a number of disabilities
- Skills in a number of physical education techniques and procedures for developing individualized education programs in PE
APE teachers are not occupational therapists (OT) or physical therapists (PT). OT’s are trained to address skills associated with activities of daily living, work activities, and play and leisure activities. PT’s are trained to provide services that address mobility assistance, range of motion, gait therapy, and other interventions. Both OT’s and PT’s provide their services through a physician’s prescriptions to address medical conditions, as opposed to working with students in a physical education environment.
If specially designed instruction, such as adapted physical education (APE), is required in a student's Individual Education Program (IEP), then the services must be provided by a qualified teacher. A certified physical educator is legally qualified to provide adapted physical education for students who require specialized physical education as defined in the IEP. Adapted Physical Education certification is not required in Colorado. However, it is suggested that the teacher providing APE services become Nationally Certified through the National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities, earning a CAPE (Certified Adapted Physical Education) certification. Course work in APE is strongly recommended and additional education and/or experience in special education would be beneficial. (7)
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