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.

Federal law mandates 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)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1990) uses the term disability as a diagnostic category that qualifies students for special services.

The services provided by an APE teacher include 

• Planning services
• Assessment of Individuals /Ecosystems
• Prescription/Placement: The IEP
• Teaching/Counseling/Coaching
• Evaluation of Services
• Coordination of Resources and Consulting
• Advocacy

The APE teacher is a direct service provider, not a related service provider, because physical education for children with disabilities is a federally mandated component of special education services [U.S.C.A. 1402 (25)].