Adaptive Physical Education for Children With Special Needs

• Physical Education & Sports for CWSN addresses children with special needs (Divyang).

Adaptive Physical Education

• It is a modified program synced to the aptitude, capacity, need, and ability of disabled and physically challenged students.
• It constitutes diversified developmental activities, games, sports and rhythm suited to interests, capacities, and limitations

Aim of Adapted Physical Education

• The aim is to ensure physical education for children with disabilities is delivered by qualified educators

Objectives of adaptive physical education

• Providing physical education that meets the unique needs of children
• Developing student motor skills
• Assisting differently-abled students in achieving mental, emotional, physical, and social growth
• Achieving meaningful success and positive education outcomes
• Developing self-esteem and improving socialization skills
• Coping with disabilities through an active and healthy lifestyle
• Developing cognitive abilities to improve education results

Objectives of Adapted Physical Education

• Human development is understood, despite handicaps.
• Motor learning teaches essential skills using motor learning principles.
• Exercise physiology principles modify exercises based on disabilities.
• Measurement & evolution of disabled provides achievement information and future performance predictions.
• Curriculum theory is designed as per individual capabilities.
• Teaching involves special care to be effective.
• Ethics require teachers to adhere to high standards.

Organizations Promoting Adaptive Sports

• International organizations like Special Olympics Bharat, Paralympics, and Deaflympics.

Special Olympics Bharat

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver introduced it to address limited athletic opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities.
• The first International Special Olympics Games were in Chicago in 1968
• It was founded in 1987 with 37,546 registered athletes, originally named Special Olympic India.
• Renamed Special Olympics Bharat in 2001, registered under the Indian Trust Act of 1882.
• In 2006, the Indian government recognized the federation for developing sports among people with intellectual disabilities.
• The vision is to transform communities by inspiring people
• The mission is to give sports training and athletic competition for children and adults.
• Special Olympics Bharat aims to develop physical fitness, courage, joy, skills, and friendship among athletes, families, and the community.

Activities of Special Olympics Bharat

• Training in sports that allows trained athletes to participate in competitions at various levels.
• Promoting healthy athletes through health checkups and information.
• Building communities through enjoyment, skill development, and positive social interaction.
• Torch Run to educate people about the Special Olympics movement.
• Child athlete program for training and selection, ages 2 to 7.

Benefits of Special Olympic Bharat

• It fosters a positive attitude, self-confidence, and self-worth.
• It enhances motor skills and physical fitness.
• It promotes mental, physical, social, and emotional development.
• It increases family support and social acceptance

Achievements of Special Olympics Bharat

• National Games have been organized since 2002.
• International Games: 671 athletes participated from 1987-2013, winning 246 Gold, 265 Silver and 275 Bronze medals

Paralympics

• The term is derived from the Greek word 'para' (beside) and 'Olympic', signifying parallel games
• Originated at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann used sports to rehabilitate war veterans in 1944.
• Games evolved from recreational to competitive sports.
• These were first organized with the London Olympics in 1948, later named the Paralympics Games
• The Paralympics are held every 4 years since 1960, including athletes with amputation, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, wheelchair users and visual impairments.
• The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) governs the Paralympics.
• Values are courage, determination, inspiration, and equality
• The motto ‘Spirit in Motion’ was introduced in Athens 2004

Paralympics Symbol

• It is composed of three 'Agitos, coloured red, blue, and green, encircling a single point on a white field.
• "Agito" means 'I move' in Latin, symbolizing movement
• Symbol approved in April 2003, and first used in 2006
• The Paralympic flag has a white background with the Paralympic symbol in the center
• The UK is involved in all flame and torch relays to commemorate Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Deaflympics

• Organized by the Committee International des Sports des Sourds (CISS) since the first event
• Games were originally called “International Games for the Deaf” (1924-1965), then ‘World Silent Games’ (1966-1999).
• In 2001, these games were named as Deaflympics.
• They are organized and run exclusively by members of the community they serve.
• Only deaf people serve on the ISCD board.
• Today, there are 108 national federations in the ICSD.
• The motto is "Per Lodus Aequalitas" (equality through sports).

Eligibile Athlete

• Athletes must have at least 55 decibels of hearing loss in the better ear
• They must meet eligibility criteria and be a member of an affiliated National Association
• Athletes are prohibited from using hearing amplification during competitions

Summer Deaflympics Events

• Athletics, ball bowling, handball, shooting, tennis, badminton, cycling road, judo, swimming, wrestling Greco style, basketball, football, karate, table tennis, wrestling – freestyle, beach volley, golf, mountain bike, and taekwondo

Winter Deaflympics Events

• Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Curling, Ice Hockey, and Snowboarding

Inclusion Physical Education

• It involves children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Need of Inclusive Physical Education

• Increased self-confidence, academic level, motor skills and social skills

Role of Professionals for Children with Special Needs

• Counsellors provide advice, help, and guidance and identify students for special education and counselling sessions.
• They collaborate with teachers, school psychologists, physical therapists etc.
• Occupational therapists assess and treat physical and psychiatric conditions to prevent disability and promote independent function and helps Divyangs/ disabled in structured activities
• Design and implements programs and will design and develop equipment or techniques for improving existing mode of functioning
• They collaborate with teachers, special educators, and parents; teach self-care skills, environmental control, and develop basic motor skills.
• Physiotherapists health professionals who assess and treats physical conditions. It aims to rehabilitate and improve people with movement disorders by using evidence adaptive equipment
• They assess issues, monitor progress, organize exercises, work with other professionals etc. and develop the child’s ability to perform everyday tasks
• Physical education teachers make students physically active through organizing programs
• They motivate normal children to befriend Divyang children, organize functions, discuss progress, and create suitable sports programs.
• Speech therapists assess, diagnose, treat, and help prevent speech, language, cognitive communication, voice, swallowing, fluency and other related disorders. The speech therapist helps a child develop capacity to listen, and communication.
• Special educators communicate with parents, social workers, school psychologists, and therapists to support Divyangs
• They maintain contact create adaptive sessions, and develop suitable plans.

Explore adaptive physical education, a modified program tailored for children with special needs. Learn about its aims, emphasizing qualified educators, and objectives. This includes meeting unique needs, developing motor skills, and fostering mental, emotional, physical, and social growth.