Adapted Physical Education Specialist

Job Description:

•  Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Review adapted physical education programs or practices to ensure compliance with government or other regulations.
• 2) Request or order physical education equipment, following standard procedures.
• 3) Write reports to summarize student performance, social growth, or physical development.
• 4) Attend in-service training, workshops, or meetings to keep abreast of current practices or trends in adapted physical education.
• 5) Write or modify individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with intellectual or physical disabilities.
• 6) Provide students positive feedback to encourage them and help them develop an appreciation for physical education.
• 7) Provide individual or small groups of students with adapted physical education instruction that meets desired physical needs or goals.
• 8) Prepare lesson plans in accordance with individualized education plans (IEPs) and the functional abilities or needs of students.
• 9) Maintain thorough student records to document attendance, participation, or progress, ensuring confidentiality of all records.
• 10) Maintain inventory of instructional equipment, materials, or aids.
• 11) Evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for adapted physical education services.
• 12) Assist in screening or placement of students in adapted physical education programs.
• 13) Assess students’ physical progress or needs.
• 14) Adapt instructional techniques to the age and skill levels of students.
• 15) Establish and maintain standards of behavior to create safe, orderly, and effective environments for learning.
• 16) Communicate behavioral observations and student progress reports to students, parents, teachers, or administrators.
• 17) Advise education professionals of students’ physical abilities or disabilities and the accommodations required to enhance their school performance.
• 18) Provide adapted physical education services to students with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, or other disabling condition.
• 19) Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement.

Definition: