Case Studies in Adapted Physical Education: Empowering Critical Thinking

The case studies in this book provide readers with opportunities to think critically about real-life situations that arise when working with children with varied abilities and disabilities, as well as opportunities to question and explore and to empower themselves in the process. The case scenarios illustrate actual experiences faced by a diverse group of general and adapted physical educators representing various contexts from self-contained APE classes and inclusive GPE (elementary, middle, and high school; urban, rural, and suburban) to youth sports, community recreation, and health club settings.

When reading the book, pre-service and in-service teachers will be exposed to the issues facing physical educators as changes in federal law further mandate the inclusion of students with disabilities in general physical education classes and after-school sports. Identifying with the situations and characters in the cases will encourage readers to explore such issues as diversity and disability, attitude and ethics, behavior management and conflict resolution, and inclusion strategies.

Questions following each case prompt readers to identify the critical issues and how the physical education professionals dealt with those issues, and then determine whether they would have handled the issues in the same way. Analyzing and discussing the cases will enable readers to formulate strategies for dealing with related issues and better prepare them to provide safe, satisfying, and successful physical activity experiences to individuals with varied abilities.