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What does Adapted Physical Education look like around the world?
Have you ever wondered what Adapted Physical Education (also known as APE) looks like and is it the same as gym class? To answer the second question quickly, no.
Have you ever wondered what Adapted Physical Education (also known as APE) looks like and is it the same as gym class? To answer the second question quickly, no. For students with disabilities, physical education is adapted to the needs of the students based on a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This means each student’s Adapted Physical Education service will vary depending on what is recommended for their abilities, behavior, and social needs.
According to Megan O’Connell-Copp, a Teacher and Coordinator of Adapted Physical Education at Perkins School for the Blind, a common misconception people have about this profession is that it is intimidating.
In actuality, it really isn’t all that difficult. We do it every day in most things that we do; if things are challenging, we modify it and it’s no different for physical education, activities, sports or games.”
Megan O’Connell-Copp, Teacher and Coordinator of APE at Perkins School for the Blind
Moreover, Adapted Physical Education exists all around the world because physical activity is vital for every human being. However, the way teachers implement APE changes around the world due to a teacher’s access to resources, or lack thereof.
Perkins supports international programs in 17 countries by providing crucial resources and expertise to Special Education teachers. Through this network of model programs, they train educators in all subjects, including Adapted PE.
Adapted Physical Education in Mexico & Armenia
There are over 25 schools participating in Project Pixan, Perkins’ long-term project in Mexico to bring quality accessible, inclusive education to children with disabilities. Here’s how one teacher gets ready for Adapted PE class in Mexico and how he manages a group of children with different disabilities and needs.
The teacher prepares all of the communication materials on a small table (pictured above) that he uses with his students. There is a lot of functional diversity in the class, with students having cognitive, physical, and multiple disabilities.
The teacher uses different communication resources tailored to each student’s needs and moves these materials around at different times during the class. Students participate in a gym class format and cheer each other on when they tackle different activities.
In Armenia, Perkins plays a pivotal role in improving inclusive education practices across the country. Teachers of students with disabilities in developing countries often don’t have access to resources in their language. Through teacher training workshops, Perkins provides teachers with the knowledge they need.
Here we have an example of teachers creatively problem solving based on the different needs of their students.
Developed by two Physiotherapists from Perkins partners in Croatia, the “hanging brush” provides two class functions. First, as a creative outlet for art class and the second as a form of physical activity for Adapted PE. When they’re not using the hanging brush to paint, teachers reconfigure the “brush” into an adapted pole for Polo.
Additional resources on APE
When it comes to making adaptations for physical activity, here some things to consider:
- High contrast materials for students
- Red or yellow equipment for students, especially those with CVI
- Remember, student preference! Ask students what works best for them or connect with other staff who know the student well and what they have tried in the past.
- For example, a student with the visual color preference of green is better able to access an activity if the equipment is green.
With big thanks to Perkins APE teachers, here’s a short list of additional resources regarding adapted physical education.
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