Adapted Physical Activity Pedagogy: Principles, Practices, and Creativity

Abstract

Adapted physical activity pedagogy is dynamic, exciting, and challenging. Beliefs, attitudes, and actions toward people with special needs have changed enormously, demanding new ways of thinking and doing. This paper sumarises current thought about (a) philosophy, theory, and practices; (b) negative attitudes and perceived lack if competence of teachers as the greatest barriers to service, (c) principles to guide public school consultant services; (d) a new definition of adapted physical activity; and e) emerging pedagogical theory that emphasises integration of knowledge about individual preferences, adaptation and creativity. Adapted physical education specialists should be employed in every community to work directly with students who are disabled and to act as consultants and administrators to hel regular sducators change attituteds and practices. Assessment and foundation of pe