With energetic kids ready to move, the Tuesday afternoon gym class at Homan Elementary is just like any other gym class. Music plays, balls are thrown and the students walk laps around the track. What’s different about this class, however, is that it is an Adaptive Physical Education class, specially designed for children with special needs.
“My students basically have the same curriculum as those in General Education, but I modify it so it’s at their ability,” Bonnie Gruver, Adaptive Physical Education teacher, said. “They’ll have shorter distances, brighter balls, visuals and instructional assistants. Sometimes, games are too stimulating or too difficult for them, so I break it down to their ability.”
At the elementary age, Adaptive P.E. focuses on helping students acquire the fine motor skills needed to play sports game. Gruver, along with instructional assistant, helps the students dribble basketballs by placing their arms and hands in the correct position. With guidance, the students are able to accomplish basic skills.
“Most of the classes start out with laps and exercises. We’re currently doing basketball and focusing on dribbling. Next time, we’ll focus on passing. Then we’ll combine skills, so they’ll dribble the ball, stop, then pass it to a friend who shoots it,” Gruver said.
Although the Adaptive P.E. curriculum is similar to that of General P.E., Gruver had to meet certain qualifications in order to teach students with special needs. Aside from earning her Bachelor’s in Physical Education and Master’s in Special Education, Gruver took a national test that determined whether or not she could teach Adaptive P.E. With only four teachers qualified to teach the course in Indiana, Gruver is thankful that the Lake Central district has a quality Special Education program.
“Our district does well. From what I’m hearing, other districts don't have an Adaptive P.E. program, and are asking how to get one. It depends on the district and administrators to show support for programs like this. We’re lucky to have Special Ed classrooms and other services,” Gruver said.
Not only are Special Education services like Adaptive P.E. beneficial to students physically, but the class provides students with one-on-one assistance and exploratory play that they would not experience in a General Education class.
“Everybody loves movement, especially kids with autism. This is their movement, and this is their gym class. It makes them feel special,” Gruver explained. “Teachers in General Education give command, and everybody knows [what to do]. Sometimes, we need to assist our kids or show them a picture of what they need to do. Once the kids are used to me, they know the expectations and routine.”
Even though it can be challenging, Gruver takes the time to bond with her students through patience and gentleness. Gruver, who works with students from elementary to high school, believes that teaching special needs students is a rewarding experience.
“Sometimes you can’t reach certain kids, and that’s frustrating. Some are nonverbal, and it’s hard understanding what they want. You have to get to know the kid and try to figure them out. Some days it works and other days it doesn’t,” Gruver said. “But most of the kids are excited to be in class. They’re always happy because they get to be themselves here. It makes it fun to be a teacher.”