ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION



ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION

07/2012

Legislative Background

All students must participate in a physical education program both at the elementary and secondary level. (Education Law, Article 17, Section 803.) If a student cannot participate fully, then the physical education program should be adapted to meet individual needs and be appropriate for the age of the student. (Commissioner’s Regulations 135.4 (c) (l) (iv))

The physical and mental health status of the student is the determining factor in physical education participation. The periodic health assessment (Education Law Article 19, section 903) is considered an adequate determinant for full participation unless and until health factors present themselves as barriers to full participation.

Adapted physical education has been defined by the Committee on Adapted Physical Education of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation as “a diversified program of development activities, games, sports and rhythms suited to the interest, capacities, and limitations of students with disabilities who may not safely or successfully engage in unrestricted activities of the general physical education program.” Such a program should be provided for students with chronic handicapping conditions, for those recuperating from injuries and accidents, and for those convalescing from long or short-term illnesses who are fit to attend school. Activities should be individually selected and adapted to meet the needs and limitations of each adaptive student so that the physical and mental status of the student is improved regardless of the condition restricting his/her activity.

Short-Term Adjustment of Physical Education Activities

Temporary adjustment of the physical education program, extending from one class session to a maximum of a two-week period, may be necessary in cases of minor injuries or when students return to school following an illness. Short-term adjustments should be handled by the School Nurse and the physical education teacher. Consideration should be given to the activities planned during the time in question, the physical condition of the student, and the student’s attitude toward physical education. Students must not be excused from physical education without consulting with both the teacher and the School Nurse.

Parent/guardian requests for short-term adjustments or limitations to the physical education program will be honored for a two-week time period if they are reasonable and the basis for the request is confirmed by the School Nurse. However, periodic or repeated requests deserve medical validation in the interest of the student’s health.

Long-Term Adjustment of Physical Education Activities

Long-term adaptations of the physical education program will be made when the health condition of the student is such that activities must be adjusted for more than a two-week period of time. The attending physician, the parent, the physical education teacher, the School Nurse, and in some cases the school physician should communicate to develop an appropriate adaptive physical education program when a student has limitations. The recommendations of the attending physician should be obtained annually, or more frequently if so indicated by the physician. No student should be on a restricted program longer than one school year without reevaluation by the attending physician. The current recommendations of the attending physicians and the health folders of students with physical conditions which may permanently limit their participation in physical education (i.e. one kidney, one eye) must be reviewed annually by the school physicians assigned to the schools in which said students are enrolled. (See: H.E. 402)

Elementary Adapted Physical Education Procedures

A student requesting long-term adjustments must present a medical excuse to the physical education who, in turn, refers the student to the School Nurse for validation of the medical excuse.

The School Nurse notifies the parent/guardian of the need for adaptive placement, and forwards to the physician the “Adaptive Physical Education - Medical Recommendation” form (H.E. 402). The School Nurse excuses the student from physical education until the modification recommendations are returned by the physician.

The physical education teacher utilizes the physician’s modification recommendations to develop an individualized adaptive program that can be conducted during the regular physical education class.

The student will remain in the adaptive routine for the time frame indicated by the physician. The School Nurse should communicate with the student’s attending physician to clarify classification of medical limitations, dates and any other pertinent information. The student will return to the regular physical education program when the excuse expires. All permanent medical excuses must be renewed on a yearly basis. No student should be in a restricted program longer than one school year without re-evaluation by his/her health care provider or the school physician.

Should the School Nurse question any recommendations made by parents or attending physicians regarding a student’s ability to participate in physical education, the school physician assigned to the school in which the student is enrolled should review the medical record and make his/her recommendations regarding an appropriate physical education program. The school physician has the final authority to determine the physical capability of a student to participate in the physical education program. The “Recommendations for Participation in Competitive Sports”, a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, will serve as a guideline for the school physician in determining eligibility for participation. Education Law, Section 3208-a provides a process for a parent/guardian to appeal the school physician’s determination. The courts may over rule the school physician’s determination if it is in the best interest of the student and if it is reasonably safe to do so.

Medical information regarding any physical education adaptations should be noted in SNAP and filed in the student’s permanent health folder.

Secondary Adapted Physical Education Procedure

A student requesting long-term adjustments must present a medical excuse to the physical education teacher who, in turn, refers the student to the School Nurse for validation of the medical excuse.

The School Nurse communicates with the parent/guardian regarding the need for adaptive placement, and forwards to the physician the “Adaptive Physical Education - Medical Recommendation” form (H.E. 402). The School Nurse assigns the student to adapted physical education and notifies the regular physical education teacher of the change.

After consulting with the student’s attending physician and the School Nurse, the adapted physical education teacher develops an individual physical education program based on the physician’s recommendations.

A schedule and teacher change is sent to Guidance.

The student will remain in the adaptive program for the time frame indicated by the physician. The School Nurse should communicate with the student’s attending physician to clarify classification of medical limitations, dates and any other pertinent information. The student will return to the regular physical education program when the excuse expires. All permanent medical excuses must be renewed on a yearly basis. All permanent medical excuses must be reviewed by the school physician assigned to the school in which the student is enrolled.

Should the School Nurse question any recommendations made by parents or attending physicians regarding a student’s ability to participate in the physical education, the school physician assigned to the school in which the student is enrolled should review the medical record and make his/her recommendations regarding an appropriate physical education program. The school physician has the final authority to determine the physical capability of a student to participate in the physical education program. The “Recommendations for Participation in Competitive Sports”, a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, will serve as a guideline for the school physician in determining eligibility for participation. Education Law, Section 3208-a provides a process for a parent/guardian to appeal the school physician’s determination. The courts may over rule the school physician’s determination if it is in the best interest of the student and if it is reasonably safe to do so.

Medical information regarding any physical education adaptations should be filed in the student’s permanent health folder.

Adapted physical education teachers should inform the regular physical education teachers of students’ progress and grades while in an adapted program. Permanent adapted students will be graded by the adapted physical education teacher.

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