Adaptive Physical Education is a class that helps students with disabilities build relationships, learn life skills, partake in physical activities and inclusion. It is a great elective to show students how teamwork and empathy can turn physical education into a space where everyone belongs and succeeds.
A volunteer in the class, senior Olivia De La Torre, shares her input.
“In this class, I’ve learned that you should always see the brighter side of things and be patient because you never know what’s going on in someone else’s life.”
Adaptive PE is a class for special education students to learn . General education students can take this class for an extra credit. Students will be helping them learn all different types of sports and build friendships. The class is not a year long class; it is a one semester class. Students will help them learn life skills in this class too. Adaptive PE is designed to have Equal Access to students with disabilities to have the same quality and opportunity in PE as their peers.
Joseph Gardo, one of our CFHS students, shared, “My favorite part of PE class is stretching and making new friends.”
The students are training in each sport for the Special Olympics and Miracle League. Students can be enrolled into the class by sharing with their counselor that they are interested in taking this class. There are some modifications in this class, such as using lighter balls, adaptive equipment (walkers), or modified rules.
Coach Brodie Hillman is one of the teachers for Adaptive PE.
“The main focus of Adaptive Physical Education is to provide instruction and physical activity that ensures ALL students can participate safely and successfully in a physical education program tailored to their unique needs. Our student helpers spend most of each class period partnered with an Adapted PE student providing individualized attention and support as needed,” shared Hillman.
Adaptive PE shows that PE can be more than just sports and exercising. It can build relationships between special needs students and general education students. Everyone in Adaptive PE can learn, grow, and feel valued. All students should take Adaptive PE!
