Making Connections: From Theory to Practice in Adapted Physical Education

Making Connections: From Theory to Practice in Adapted Physical Education is based on The New Adapted Physical Education, the classic text on using a developmental approach to working with individuals with a disability. In this more practical, applied book, the authors move forward to create a truly inclusive developmental physical education model that educators will be able to use in working with individuals of all abilities. For individuals with a disability to reach their maximum potentials, physical educators must have a strong foundation in the motor, cognitive, social, and language development of children and young adults and should emphasize their abilities rather than disabilities. Making Connections presents a noncategorical, developmental approach, describes how to apply it to varied physical activity instructional settings, and describes how to use it to plan and implement appropriate adapted physical education activities and programs for individuals with a disability.

Two adapted physical education specialists have joined the author team to provide more scenarios, practical examples, and teaching tools. Readers will appreciate the many developmentally appropriate classroom activities, assessment devices, bibliographies, and resource lists provided by this text. In addition, readers will find information on current disability laws and how they impact educators, as well as detailed information on preparing the IEP and setting goals and objectives. There is new material related to the team approach, planning for transition from school to community, and motivating individuals with a disability to pursue lifetime physical activity, including disability sports.

The book's important features 1. How would you respond? and The authors respond--These mini–case studies ask readers to respond to teaching situations that they are likely to encounter. Accompanying boxes present the authors' comments and advice on the situation. 2. Teaching Tips--Physical educators can take these useful suggestions into everyday practice. Making Connections. Vignettes of professionals working with individuals with a disability bring theories and concepts to life. 3. Extend Your Knowledge--Boxed features provide more in-depth information about important topics. 4. Learning Activities--These challenging activities can be used in the college classroom or in field placements, internships, or student teaching experiences.

Additional Highlights --Highlights connections between the developmental model and planning and implementing quality physical education services to children and young adults --Acknowledges the changing roles of general physical educators and adapted physical education specialists in working with students with a disabiltity --Includes new material on the role of the disability movement in producing enhanced rights for citizens with a disability across the lifespan --Noncategorical approach enables the authors to provide more information about working with individuals with a disability, including teaching strategies, programming planning for inclusion, and implementing developmentally appropriate activities. --Achieves an appropriate mix of content for the general physical educator with adequate resources to lay the foundation for individuals specializing in adapted physical education --Infuses basic holistic concepts about teaching students with a disability in physical education throughout the text --Includes a new chapter that serves as a source book for how to plan and execute transition plans and make connections with family and community