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The mission of the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID) is to promote, stimulate, and encourage legislative mandates, professional preparation, advocacy, and research in physical activity, physical education, and recreation for individuals with disabilities (www.ncpe-id.org). NCPEID has significant historical, current, and future impact on shaping the direction of physical education and physical activity for individuals with disabilities. It was founded in 1975 with the vision of quality personnel preparation, research/demonstration, and service related to adapted physical activity. A 29-question online NCPEID Membership Survey was designed to focus on NCPEID members' beliefs, subjective norms, and intentions toward their membership within NCPEID, as well as their attendance of the annual NCPEID conference. There were 69 participants that completed the survey. Descriptive stats were analyzed, and results indicated the main reasons to engage in NCPEID membership included the Adapted Physical Education National Standards exam, subscription to the academic journal Palaestra, access to resources, and advocacy. Important improvement and consideration recommendations for NCPEID included updating resources, expanding virtual conference opportunities, and establishing a mentorship program. To continue to shape the direction of physical activity for individuals with disabilities, NCPEID should consider these recommendations to best benefit the membership and profession. Keywords: Adapted physical education, PALAESTRA, theory of planned behavior, national standards, professional development, Title V, Section 501 of PL 90-170, The Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act, was the first federal legislation to authorize personnel training specific in physical [...]

The purpose of this paper is to describe benefits of yoga and to provide practitioners multiple ways to implement yoga into classroom settings and home environments for young children with Down syndrome (DS). Yoga can be introduced into many settings to enhance motor development as a physical activity warm up or cool down, a behavior management technique, and/or an innovative way to get children with DS moving. There are various techniques to integrate yoga into adapted physical education classes, early intervention or preschool classroom, as well as home-based settings. Fun activities to incorporate yoga include yoga stories and songs, picture cards, yoga with technology, playing yoga games, and involving families. Practical applications and multiple references help as a starting point for educators and care givers to introduce the practice of yoga for young children with DS. Keywords: Developmental disability, physical activity, physical education, gross motor development, early childhood, Evidence-based practices are constantly evolving in the fields of special education and adapted physical education (Cook & Cook, 2013; Jin & Yun, 2010). Children with Down syndrome (DS) frequently demonstrate [...]

Recreational activities support the growth and development of young children with Down syndrome. However, research has indicated that families of children with disabilities, including Down syndrome, experience barriers in achieving optimal family recreation. The purpose of this study was to examine the type and nature of recreational activities in which families of young children with Down syndrome engage during the weekday afternoon hours (after school). The study was guided by family systems theory. Utilizing naturalistic inquiry methodology, we conducted interviews with three parents, and collected additional qualitative data from 13 families via a self-administered questionnaire. All participants had a child with Down syndrome between the ages of 18 months and 6 years who attended an early intervention preschool designed specifically for children with Down syndrome. Findings indicated that families' characteristics impacted their recreation decisions, and that families sought a balance in accomplishing recreation and other commitments. Additionally, families experienced recreation in inclusive settings within their natural environment, and they held high expectations for their child and family recreational participation. Keywords: Down syndrome; early childhood; family recreation; family systems theory, Family leisure and recreation have long been examined through a systems perspective and have been positively associated with outcomes such as family functioning (Buswell, Zabriskie, Lundberg, & Hawkins, 2012; Hornberger, [...]