The objective of mainstreaming is admirable, but the benefits received through a "carte blanche" approach of mainstreaming handicapped individuals into physical education classes are doubtful. Mainstreaming has been attempted in physical education for years, with questionable results and, in many cases, it has been discarded as inappropriate.…

Of the nine long range goals of adapted physical education, creative thinking and moving has received the least attention. However, this goal may be more important than others in helping handicapped children self-actualize through sports, dance, and aquatics. This paper defines behaviors in the creative process and describes several assessment…

Guidelines are presented to special educators and adapted physical educators for assessing the psychomotor development of severely handicapped students. The importance of determining whether there is an abnormality in central nervous system development is emphasized. Assessment information is presented for 15 topic areas: reflex analysis, muscle…

Methods by which preservice physical education teachers use selected behaviors to promote handicapped student physical performance in planned skill activities are explored. The basic assumption investigated is that teacher behaviors when working with any child in physical education will have basic similarities. Discussion focuses on processes used…

Presented are 36 papers given at a 1973 conference on physical education techniques and methods for handicapped children. The following are sample titles and authors: "Movement--The Instructional Imperative" by Roy Barsch, "Movement in Programs for Handicapped Children--Hysteria and Reality" by Bryant Cratty, "Moving and Learning" by Marianne…

This study investigated the nature and extent of physical education programs for individuals with disabilities in Washington State's small rural public school districts. Questionnaires were sent to 185 superintendents of small rural school districts in the state. Of the 128 responses, 70.3% enrolled individuals with disabilities. Fifty-eight…

The paper presents outlines of suggested physical education activities that can be done semi-independently with children in wheelchairs. Sections address the following areas (sample activities in parentheses): developmental activities (rolling over, eye tracking, sliding), activities with an adult (games for two), music activities (dancing), body…

A comparative study was made of mentally retarded and nonhandicapped children in the first through third grades on motor performance as measured by running (50-yard dash), jumping (standing broad jump), and throwing (softball throw for distance). The subjects had received all of their physical education instruction in a mainstream setting since…

The implications of mainstreaming for the physical education teacher are examined. An overview of the legislation regarding programing handicapped students in physical education is presented. Major categories and descriptors necessary in drawing up an individualized education plan are outlined. Specific strategies and activities that can be…

At present, a number of creative approaches are being employed with regard to learning problems. In the past, learning problems were dealt with in segregated classrooms or schools. Although future approaches are still a matter of conjecture, mainstreaming will figure as an important factor in these approaches. Two approaches currently used in…

This paper addresses the need for athletic programming adapted for students with disabilities at the college level, impediments to the development of such programs, and the actions required to stimulate program development. The paper examines the impact of athletics on overall life quality, the need for generalist coaches to provide these services…

University undergraduate students (N=22) developed individualized education programs (IEPs) for handicapped (N=22) clients of all ages and levels of conditions in physical education and the IEPs were implemented for 24 weeks. A competency-based curriculum in Adapted Physical Education (I CAN) was used for both IEP development and resultant…

Two types of testing can be used to enhance the physical education experiences of handicapped learners. Content referenced tests insure that curricula accurately reflect the students' present level of functioning and appropriate goals. Relevant needs should be determined, taking into account such factors as future recreational opportunities,…

Included are the following papers: "Piaget: Overview and Perspective" (H. Humm); "Piaget's Theory of Memory Development: Implications for Motor Skill Learning" (L. Zaichkowsky); "Piaget Theory and Its Implication to Teaching Styles, Techniques and Strategies" (R. Mueller); "Piaget and Play" (S. Suttie);…

Prior to the early 1990s, Special Olympics research consisted of collecting anecdotal information about the "good stories." In 1993, Special Olympics International gathered its first statistical data on its athletes in conjunction with the first "Team USA" coming together from programs throughout the United States and traveling to Austria to…