The number of preschool-aged children with disabilities who spend some part of their day in an inclusive school or child care setting has grown tremendously in the past ten years. Meeting the needs of these children is always challenging. However, Public Law 105-17 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA'97) mandates that children…

Designed for high school students interested in careers in special education and related services, this leaflet outlines the role of the adapted physical education teacher. It addresses the nature of the work, the education required, personal qualities that teachers should have, job outlook and advancement, and how to prepare for a career as a…

This paper focuses on physical education for students in preschool (3 to 5 years) and primary grades K-2 (5 to 7 years). It describes developmentally appropriate practices as a set of indicators for high quality play and motor skills programs for all children, including children with special needs. The paper also describes and recommends an…

The booklet describes a program designed to improve the play skills of seriously disturbed, multiply handicapped children (5 to 13 years old) through gross motor skill development. A six step process is described for the adaptive physical education program: assessment, development of interdisciplinary goals, interventions, development of goals for…

Physical education (including special/adapted) is currently at a crossroads in its professional life. Analysis reveals that physical education professionals have failed to develop a grass-roots constituency which acts as an advocate when physical education's existence in the public schools is in jeopardy. One method which might circumvent this…

Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's social, communication, and behavioral skills. Social deficits are noted by the child's lack of interest or inability to interact with peers and family members. This article highlights some of the successful methods and techniques used to include an autistic middle school child in a general…

The Data Based Gymnasium Model, a systematic approach to physical education for the severely handicapped, is described in this newsletter issue. The model was developed through a cooperative effort between Oregon State University and the Teaching Research Infant and Child Center. The "Game, Exercise, and Leisure Sport Curriculum for the…

This module is designed to familiarize students preparing to be special education teachers with the physical needs of the exceptional student. Information is given on how to structure an adaptive physical education program designed to meet those needs, including development of an individualized education program (IEP). The module covers such…

This final report summarizes the activities of the I'M SPECIAL Program of Physical Education for the Handicapped. The 3-year project was designed to provide leadership training for physical education and special education university professors and state and local education agency personnel in the effective use of the I'M SPECIAL Instructional…

A review of literature on learning disabled and emotionally disturbed children is presented, focusing upon the role of the physical education teacher as a part of the educational team responsible for implementing individualized education programs. The close relationship between learning disabilities and emotional disturbances is examined, and…

The report serves as a systematic collection, analysis, and synthesis of research data, empirical evidence, program information, and various resource materials in the fields of recreation/therapeutic recreation and physical education/adapted physical education for disabled individuals. The report consists of over 20 state of the art reports, each…

Historically, the approach to physical activity for people with disabilities has been couched in medical rationale and focused on rehabilitation. This does not account for physical activity for the joy of it as in play, exercise to improve or maintain fitness, or activity required in employment. The new paradigm of healthy, active lifestyles for…

This study examined whether an e-mail keypal relationship between high school alternative physical education students and college kinesiology majors could positively influence high school students' participation in and attitude toward gym class. Results showed that students' attitudes, motivation, and relationships were positively influenced by…

The study investigated the effectiveness of a school-based movement programme for a population of 5 to 7 year old children. Performance profiles on the Movement ABC were used to classify the children and to assess skill changes over time. Children were assigned to four different groups: motor learning difficulty (n = 10), borderline motor learning…

This study examined the relationships between preservice physical education teacher attributes and attitude toward teaching students classified as behaviorally disordered, mildly mentally retarded, and learning disabled. Currently enrolled in an introductory adapted physical education course, physical education teaching majors (n=1,081) from…