Adaptive Physical Education Services
Goal of Adaptive Physical Education:
Adaptive Physical Education is physical education which may be adapted or modified to address the individualized needs of children and youth who have gross motor developmental delays.
Our goal is to instill physical fitness, structured sports play and basic knowledge of leisure and recreational play to aid in wellness, self awareness, and social skills. With the use of adapted activities, our students get the opportunity to gain confidence to participate in fitness and recreational activities that will continue into adulthood.
Adaptive Physical Education Program:
A.P.E. Classes:
All classes with the exception of the Transition classes are required 2 hours of Adaptive Physical Education class per week.
Total Communication (TC) and LIFE Skills Groups – Begin with 15 minutes of fitness walking followed by a stretching routine every class. The TC groups work to develop skills in throwing and catching, core balancing, soccer, basketball, tee-Ball, volleyball, therapeutic bike riding, bocce ball, bowling, stretching, fitness walking, targeting, striking and kicking. Also included are many activities that reflect these skills in a safe, structured least restrictive environment.
TC and LIFE Skills Assessment – TC classes are tested quarterly in fitness and gross motor categories such as a timed fitness walk, distance throwing and kicking as well as tracking of each student’s height and weight throughout the year. Also a point system is given to students each gym period based on each student’s participation and ability given at that time period.
Vocational Cluster – Fitness walk for 15 minutes emphasizing that 16 laps around the gym is 1 mile. Individually count fitness laps then line up on 3 pt. line and prepare of stretching exercises which includes stretching out arms working their way down to muscles in the lower body. We then go over major muscle groups by name and illustrate where that muscle is. More team related games are adapted after skill preparation take place. Often groups may be split up based on capability level and 2 different skill levels or games take place.
Vocational Assessment – Fitness and gross motor testing includes a timed walk and jog, push-ups and sit-ups, flexibility, distance throw and kick and height and weight.
Transition – Gym time for 30 minutes once a week. Begin class with fitness walking followed by stretching and activity. Students often get some free time to practice skills for those who participate in Special Olympics Sports.
Extracurricular Activities:
Special Olympics – We currently participate in 3 team sports and 2 individual sports. Our athletes represent as part of the Upper Shore Special Olympics of Maryland.
Teams: Soccer, Basketball, Softball
Individual: Speed Skating and Swimming