Adapted Physical Education for Students with Special Needs

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts from the lecture on Adapted Physical Education, specialized adaptations, and behavior modification.

Physical Education

A planned series of physical activities aimed at improving physical abilities, skills, and overall growth.

Adapted Physical Education (APE)

Physical education that is modified to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities or motor delays.

Objective of APE

To provide the same goals as general PE—fitness, skill, and enjoyment—while personalizing activities for students with disabilities.

Adaptive Physical Education Professionals

A multidisciplinary team that can include PE teachers, special educators, therapists, nurses, principals, parents, and assistive-technology staff.

Adjusted Physical Education

Traditional physical activities altered so individuals with disabilities can participate safely and successfully.

Corrective Physical Education

Programs focusing on improving posture, body mechanics, and reducing physical dysfunctions.

Physical Development Education

Progressive fitness training to enhance large-muscle strength and overall physical abilities to peer level.

Four Areas of Modification

Instruction, Rules, Equipment, and Environment adaptations used to meet student needs in APE.

APE Physical Improvement Benefits

Stronger bones and muscles, healthier heart–lung function, and reduced obesity and musculoskeletal issues.

APE Mental Improvement Benefits

Better mood, self-esteem, attention span, motivation, and reduced anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.

APE Behavioral Improvement Benefits

Enhances teamwork, social skills, neuromuscular development, and acceptance of disability equality.

Modified Learning Technique

Adapting language, using real concepts, task sequencing, extended study time, and multisensory approaches.

Environmental Modification Learning Technique

Changing equipment, maximizing space, and reducing distractions to aid learning.

Learning Planning Stage

Define goals, prepare semester program, and create lesson units detailing standards, strategies, media, and assessment.

Learning Implementation Stage

Consists of introduction, core lesson activities, and closing phases.

Learning Evaluation Stage

Assessing learning outcomes to refine future instruction.

Four Steps to Include Adapted Sports

Choose a sport, compare adapted vs. traditional, assess student skills, then teach with needed modifications.

Principles of Universal Design

Nine guidelines such as equitable, flexible, simple, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low effort, proper size/space, community of learners, and positive climate.

Adaptations for Strength/Endurance Impairments

Lower targets, reduce distances, lighten equipment, allow seated play, deflate balls, and increase rest time.

Adaptations for Limited Balance

Lower center of gravity, widen base, carpet surfaces, provide bars, and teach safe falling.

Adaptations for Coordination Issues

Use larger softer balls, shorten throwing distances, start with stationary balls, enlarge targets, and add backstops.

Intellectual Disabilities in PE

Modify person, task, and environment to enable successful participation in inclusive settings.

Learning Disabilities Accommodations

Smaller classes, peer tutors, structured practice, multisensory instruction, equipment adaptations, and cooperative teaching.

ADHD Strategies in PE

Provide clear direct instruction, positive feedback, task sheets, activities with immediate feedback, and token systems.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Challenges

Potential issues include inattention, impulsivity, social isolation, difficulty following instructions, and rigid routines.

Strategies for Autism in PE

Know the student, prep peers/environment, use visual–verbal prompts, peer tutoring, interests, and structured routines.

RADAR Method

Process for emotional disturbance: Recognize, Assess, Decide, Act, Review results.

Mandt System

Seven-phase crisis intervention model: baseline, trigger, escalation, crisis, de-escalation, stabilization, post-crisis.

Fish Philosophy

Motivational approach: choose your attitude, play, make their day, be there, master change.

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Strategies

Use preferred communication, face students, clear speech, visual aids, buddies, captions, and interpreters.

Visual Impairment Strategies

Physical guidance, tactile modeling, incidental learning, and various guide-running techniques.

Test of Gross Motor Development III (TGMD-III)

Validated assessment of gross motor skills for children with visual impairments aged 6-12.

Guide Running Techniques

Methods such as sighted guide, tether, guide wire, distant sound source, and circular running to aid blind runners.

Behavior Modification

Systematic application of learning principles to assess and improve observable and covert behaviors.

Pavlovian Conditioning

Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an involuntary response through pairing.

Operant Conditioning

Behavior shaping through reinforcement or punishment, introduced by B. F. Skinner.

Fixed Interval Reinforcement

Reward delivered after a set time or response count.

Variable Interval Reinforcement

Reward delivered after varying time intervals or response counts.

Fixed Ratio Reinforcement

Reinforcement provided after a specified number of correct responses.

Variable Ratio Reinforcement

Reinforcement provided after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to high response rates.

Characteristics of Behavior Modification

Focus on measurable behavior, precise methods, research basis, everyday applicability, accountability, and scientific validation.

Target Behavior

Specific behavior chosen for change in a behavior-modification program.

Behavioral Assessment

Data collection to identify target behaviors, causes, treatments, and to evaluate outcomes.

Phases of Behavior Modification Program

Screening, defining target behavior, baseline assessment, treatment, and follow-up.