Preparing adapted physical educators to teach students with autism: current practices and future directions

For many students with autism spectrum disorder, physical education is the responsibility of an adapted physical education specialist. In this study, we examined the training focused on teaching students with autism spectrum disorder received by a sample of 106 adapted physical education specialists. Competencies necessary on a course to train adapted physical education specialists to work with students with autism spectrum disorder were also defined using a two-step process. First, a group of physical education and special education experts generated a provisional list of competencies that they saw as necessary. Participants in this study then provided their opinions on the validity of this list. Additional suggestions for future training were also sought from participants.
Certified adapted physical education specialists (CAPEs) are a select group of teachers who have specific training in physical education (PE) for students with disabilities. The competencies necessary to be a [...]