What is adapted physical education?
Adapted Physical Education is physical education which 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 (https://apens.org/whatisape.html). Adapted physical education is a direct service under federal law. Often, APE is confused as a related service such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language therapy.
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Who gets adapted physical education?
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) recommend that students be considered eligible for adapted physical education services if their comprehensive score is 1.5 standard deviations below the mean on a norm-referenced test, or at least two years below age level on criterion-referenced tests or other tests of physical and motor fitness.
In addition to the results of an assessment like the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 (TGMD-3), collaboration with the general physical education teacher, adapted physical education teacher, special education teacher and related services provides should occur.
How do I know if my child needs adapted physical education services?
If you feel as though your child would qualify or benefit from adapted physical education, the best approach is to contact the adapted physical education teacher at your child's school. The school's general physical education teacher may also be the individual providing APE services. If you are unable to locate this contact information, reach out to your child's special education teacher, case manager or special education designee.
Keep in mind that students must qualify for adapted physical education. This is not a service that is simply provided at the request of a single individual.
What is IDEA (Individuals with Disability Act)?
IDEA is the federal law that governs special education. Public schools are required to follow strict protocol regarding individuals with disabilities and special education.
My child has a disability covered by IDEA. Does that qualify my child for adapted physical education?
A disability alone will not qualify a student for adapted physical education services. Ultimately, how the student's disability impacts their ability to access the curriculum will be a better indicator to what services your child may qualify for.
I was told that my child does not meet the requirements for an IEP, but may qualify for a 504 Plan. What does this mean?
A 504 Plan is a formal plan that addresses the accommodations needed for your child to have equal access to the curriculum. These accommodations can be a combination of changes to the environment (i.e. taking a test in a quiet place), changes in instruction (i.e. repeated directions), or changes in how the curriculum is presented (i.e. receiving an outline of material ahead of time).