What is Adapted Physical Education?
Adapted physical education is physical education that has been adapted or modified so that it is as appropriate for the person with a disability as it is for a person without a disability.
Federal law requires that physical education be provided to students with disabilities and 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 (including intramural and lifetime sports)
Services provided by an APE teacher may include (adapted from Sherrill, 1998):
- Planning Services
- Assessment of individuals/ecosystems
- Prescription/Placement: The IEP
- Teaching/Counseling/Coaching
- Service evaluation
- Resource Coordination and Consulting
- Defense
The APE teacher is a direct service provider, not a related services provider, because physical education for children with disabilities is a federally mandated component of special education services [USCA 1402 (25)].
Forms
APE Motor Skill Reference Guide
Additional Resources
California Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Resources
Unified Physical Education
A Guide for Grades K-5
A guide for grades 5 to 8
A guide for grades 8-12
Resources
Contact information
Virginia Pineda
SELPA Program Specialist
Adapted Physical Education Specialist
Assistive Technology Assessor
Email: virginia.pineda@icoe.org
Phone: (760) 312-6509
