NMSUAPE

WHAT IS APE?

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. Doing exercise

Stated simply, APE is good teaching.

Good teachers always attempt to meet the individual needs of all students in the most appropriate environment. Show me a physical education teacher who strives to do this, and I will show you an APE teacher!

Adapted physical education differs from regular physical education in that it features individualized programs of instruction.

Federal law mandates that physical education (a direct service) be provided to students with disabilities. In the law Physical Education is defined as the development of:

• physical and motor skills

• fundamental motor skills and patterns (throwing, catching, walking, running, etc)

• skills in:

aquatics
dance
individual games and sports
group games and sports
intramural and lifetime sports

National Standards have been devised by professionals in the area of APE. The Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) are identified competencies that a physical educator should know when teaching children with disabilities. These areas of specialized knowledge include:

1. Human Development
2. Motor Behavior
3. Exercise Science
4. Measurement and Evaluation
5. History and Philosophy
6. Unique Attributes of Learners
7. Curriculum Theory & Development
8. Assessment
9. Instructional Design & Planning
10. Teaching
11. Consultation & Staff Development
12. Student and Program Evaluation
13. Continuing Education
14. Ethics
15. Communication

For more information about the National Standards please visit: http://apens.org

If you would like further information about the NMSUAPE program please contact Scott Pedersen, Ph.D., CAPE at (575) 646-2071 or pedersen@nmsu.edu.