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Adapted Physical Education (APE) is a special education service that provides school-aged children with special needs access to the physical education curriculum. On an itinerant basis, the APE staff provides services to all schools in the district. Each specialist is assigned schools within a given region. The APE specialists provide direct and indirect services to students to allow for their participation in the general physical education program, as well as consult with the general physical education specialist on lesson modification and accommodations. The APE specialist may also provide staff with playground and recess accommodations for students with special needs.
Student’s need for APE involvement is determined through the referral process, assessment, and ET/IEP Team recommendations. In many instances, the Student Intervention Team (SIT), should be involved, just as in any other special education referral. A student must be special education eligible to receive APE services, and must be accessing physical education.
Before the APE referral process is initiated, it is required that the General Physical Education teacher document prior interventions that have been made to facilitate the student in the general physical education program. After the interventions have been documented and proven that assistance appears needed, an observation during the general physical education class can be requested through the APE department (“Request for Observation” form on InterAct, SSSD Exchange, SSSD Departments, APE). After the observation, the Adapted PE teacher may recommend additional modifications or begin the formal referral process. Students must demonstrate gross motor deficits that inhibit their access to physical education. Adapted PE is not a therapy, or does it provide behavior intervention for unruly students.
IDEA Sec. 300.108 Physical education. General. Physical education services, specially designed if necessary, must be made available to every child with a disability receiving FAPE, unless the public agency enrolls children without disabilities and does not provide physical education to children without disabilities in the same grades. Clark County School District prides itself in providing full inclusion opportunities. Students with disabilities access physical education with their same-aged non-disabled peers.
Student’s need for APE involvement is determined through the referral process, assessment, and ET/IEP Team recommendations. In many instances, the Student Intervention Team (SIT), should be involved, just as in any other special education referral. A student must be special education eligible to receive APE services, and must be accessing physical education.
Before the APE referral process is initiated, it is required that the General Physical Education teacher document prior interventions that have been made to facilitate the student in the general physical education program. After the interventions have been documented and proven that assistance appears needed, an observation during the general physical education class can be requested through the APE department (“Request for Observation” form on InterAct, SSSD Exchange, SSSD Departments, APE). After the observation, the Adapted PE teacher may recommend additional modifications or begin the formal referral process. Students must demonstrate gross motor deficits that inhibit their access to physical education. Adapted PE is not a therapy, or does it provide behavior intervention for unruly students.
IDEA Sec. 300.108 Physical education. General. Physical education services, specially designed if necessary, must be made available to every child with a disability receiving FAPE, unless the public agency enrolls children without disabilities and does not provide physical education to children without disabilities in the same grades. Clark County School District prides itself in providing full inclusion opportunities. Students with disabilities access physical education with their same-aged non-disabled peers.
