Special Education

Adaptive Physical Education (APE) is physical education which is adapted or modified to address the individual needs of children and youth who have gross motor developmetal delays. Many students with disabilities can safely and successfully participate in general physical education, with or without accommodations and supports. Though, some children benefit from specially designed or Adapted Physical Education. The physical education activities should mirror the general physical education curriculum in the best way possible. 

The emphasis of Adapted Physycal education is to create developmentally appropriate supports and facilitate participation of students with disabilities with typically developing peers in age appropriate activities. Services may be direct instruction (group or individual), collaboration, or consultation. APE instructional techniques are used to improve the student’s movement performance in gross motos, object control (i.e., ball handling), perceptual motor, functional, and sport/game skills; physical fitness (strength, endurance, cardiovascular and flexibility); and motor fitness (speed, power, agility, balance, and coordination). 

Source: Adapted Physical Education National Standards, Physical Education Central, and Society of Health and Physical Educators..