Scott McNamara University of Northern Iowa scmcnamara23@gmail.com Incorporating Assistive Technology (AT) into Adapted Physical Education (APE) to Achieve Healthy Outcomes Description: In this presentation you will learn about adapted physical education (APE) is and why it is important for students with disabilities to receive APE services. In addition, we will review some of the major federal laws that define and mandate APE, how to effectively advocate for APE services, and how assistive technology can positively impact APE services. A variety of assistive technology devices for a multitude of different types of disabilities will be discussed and how they can help students with disabilities access to physical education curriculum and be physically active. Examples of assistive technology that will be discussed include: (a) apps specially designed to help students with disabilities be active, the use of communication devices to communicate effectively in a physical education setting, and the use of specially designed equipment for specific sports. Scott McNamara University of Northern Iowa scmcnamara23@gmail.com

Objectives Learners will be able to identify specific benefits children with disabilities gain from participating in APE. Learners will be able to understand how major federal laws define and mandate APE. Learners will be able to identify multiple levels of AT and understand how they can be utilized in an APE setting. In this first slide, can we do a poll to find out who is taking the presentation, how many people know what APE is, and if they work regularly with their APE teachers?

Poll Break: Who Are You? INSERT Poll HERE asking about background and motivation for attending

Special Education Includes Physical Education

Specially designed, if necessary What is APE? Physical Education Must be Made Available to all Students Specially designed, if necessary

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act We are now going to discuss the IDEA and how it's important to the field of physical education (PE) and APE. First, it is important to note that PE is the only curricular subject that is defined within IDEA.

IDEA (2004) Definition (a) General (1) “. . . the term special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability including – (I) instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings; and (ii) instruction in physical education” (§300.26) Physical education is the only instructional area that is included in the definition of special education within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004) since its passage in 1975 [Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)].

IDEA (2004) Definition (b) In this definition of special education, physical education was defined as follows: “(i)Means the development of – (A) Physical and motor fitness; (B) Fundamental motor skills and patterns; and (C) Skills in aquatics, dance, and individual and group games and sports (including intramural and lifetime sports); and (ii) Includes special physical education, APE, movement education, and motor development.” (§300.26) Physical education is the only instructional area that is included in the definition of special education within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004) since its passage in 1975 [Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)].

What is APE? APE is developing, implementing and monitoring “specially designed physical education” for students with disabilities Student needs should be based on assessment and focus on state and national standards APE provides the knowledge and skills to be successful with: Fitness, motor skills and health skills Sports, recreational and leisure activities

Purpose of APE 3 Learning Domains: Physiological: Motor skills, sport skills, fitness skills Affective: Socializing, relationship building, communication Cognitive: Learn how to live a healthy/active life Consider also including this for the benefits and purpose of PE OR include this in what it is.

Benefits of APE Services Students who are physically active have better academic scores and fewer behavioral incidents (CDC, 2010). Students who are active have greater social success and positive relations with peers. Students who are active have demonstrated a decrease inappropriate and stereotypic behaviors.

Frequent APE Strategies Use cooperative games to improve leadership, communication and problem solving skills Use trained peer models to demonstrate tasks and be a role model in PE Modify and adapt rules and equipment to allow students to be challenged and successful

Frequent APE Strategies: Cooperative Games Cooperative games should be used in all PE settings; however they are particularly important for students with emotional impairments. Example: Crossing the River Equipment: Assortment of PE equipment (poly spots, mats, scooter) Instructions: Students must cross the ‘river’ using equipment and teamwork. They cannot touch the ‘river’, or they must go back. *Debrief: Important, but often forgotten. Students must relate the strategies they just used to their own lives. Image retrieved from https://www.thepespecialist.com/crosstheriver/

Assistive Technology and APE “AT devices and services operate as a process, ensuring students with disabilities receive optimal access to learning across all educational settings and subject areas” (Laughlin et al., 2018). APE teachers can use assistive technology to enable a child to learn and participate in physical activity and sport. There is a range of different of AT that can be used for a variety of purposes and a variety of different types of disabilities.

Low Tech Velcro Gloves Bowling Ramps Guide Ropes Simple Switches Low tech are assisted devices or equipment that needs no batteries to operate. Guide Ropes Simple Switches

Low Tech: Different Types of Balls Different Colored Balls SportsMax Balls Low tech are assisted devices or equipment that needs no batteries to operate. Also mention balls with plastic bags Weighted Balls Bell Balls

Mid Tech Talking pedometer/watch Beeper Balls Multi-step/level switch Mid tech is assisted devices or equipment that needs batteries to operate and may or may not need some training to utilize. You can place a metronome behind a basketball rim. Multi-step/level switch Beepers/Metronomes

High Tech Sport specific wheelchairs Beep baseball kit Computers/Apps High tech is assisted devices or equipment that are electronic in nature, have multi-step processes to utilize them and may or may not need specialized training to utilize them. Computers/Apps Exergaming

Examples of Apps that Promote Physical Activity (Bittner et al., 2018) ExerciseBuddy A video modeling application designed to help individuals with ASD exercise. Cost: $30 Lazy Monster An application for exercise using body weight exercises ( no equipment needed). Free Adventures of Super Stretch A yoga app that uses 12 poses modeled after animals. Free Examples of Apps that Promote Physical Activity (Bittner et al., 2018) Go through the exercise buddy app

Exercise Buddy It allows one to individualize content and collect data, which can be used for goals and objectives Has video modeling conducted by children and adolescents with autism Uses social stories, task analysis and visuals Now offering the Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate, which teaches one to work with people with autism in a fitness setting Images retrieved from http://www.exercisebuddy.com/app.html

Review of the Objectives Learners will be able to identify specific benefits children with disabilities gain from participating in APE. Learners will be able to understand how major federal laws define and mandate APE. Learners will be able to identify multiple levels of AT and understand how they can be utilized in an APE setting. Review this with the audience

Additional Resources What’s New in Adapted Physical Education Podcast and Blog Adapted Physical Education (APE) Webinars http://www.shapeamerica.org/prodev/webinars/adapted/ APE Frequently Asked Questions in Texas http://www.tahperd.org/web/images/pdfs/about%20us/divisions/ape_q anda.pdf Myphysicaleducator.com to find APE resources!

References Bittner, M., McNamara, S., Goudy, L., Dillon, S. R., & Adams, D. (2018). Exercise identified as an evidenced-based practice for students with autism spectrum disorder. Palaestra, 32(1). Landers, B. (2017). Cross the river. Retrieved from https://www.thepespecialist.com/crosstheriver/ Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004).   Laughlin, M. K., Murata, N. M., Gonnelli, M., & Larranaga, J. (2018). Assistive Technology: What Physical Educators Need to Know. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 89(3), 38-45.

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