Adaptive PE - Autism Spectrum Message Board

AggieMom · 09-14-2005, 03:45 PM

I think this is the first time I've actually needed to ask a question

My 7yr old ASD son is in first grade this year. We have a program called Academic Support which is really just a self contained classroom for multi-age (K-2) and all diferent disabilities. They are all on different learning and ability levels. There is one teacher, 1 aide, and 7 children. Other people "help out" when needed they say, like the school counselor, the behavior therapist, the kindergarten aide, etc...

I have a lot of issues, but my main one right now is PE. Some of the kids 3 or 4, I think- including a visually impaired girl in a wheelchair) along with the kindergarten class in a room that is not the gym. First I was told "it's just not working out" and they were going to see if they could find something else for him to do during PE. I made a couple of suggestions, which they tried a couple of times, but when it didn't work right away, they decided that they would get the Adaptive PE teacher to design some things he could do in the classroom- with just him and the teacher. I just don't see it. Their PE class is when she has her "conference time". The aide will be with the other kids. This teacher is not able to physically do much with my son anyway because he is quite strong and determined. This looks like a "cop out" to me. Personally I think another aide would do wonders for the whole class. The teacher makes the one aide do everything. Has anyone got any constructive ideas about PE for a kid that doesn't always comply? I had told them to give him something else to do, but not to let him just get out of being in the same room. They let him bring a favorite book to look at. That helped. Then I said, start having him participate in an activity for a few minutes at a time, then let him read, gradually increase the participation time, etc... They gave up after less than a week. I don't want them to get out of letting him have PE so easily. Isn't it some kind of federal law that kids have a certain amount of PE? Any information, ideas, or experiences welcome

Sheronor · 09-14-2005, 09:43 PM

Eleanor hates PE because of the noise in the gym. Last year, they would bring her in after it was started and only have her stay for a few minutes. They basically built up her tolerance.

The important thing was for her to know she had to go - she wasn't going to get out of it by screaming. This year, she goes and partipates when she wants to. But she has to stay in the gym the whole time.

I would say to have your son go and have him sit on the sidelines while the other kids participate. Otherwise, if they let him go somewhere else, he has won and he won't learn that he has to tolerate situations that he doesn't like. Maybe, eventually, he'll start participating.

AggieMom · 09-15-2005, 02:29 PM

SherriElenore: That's exactly what I told them. He is winning the battle all the time and he knows it. My son is on the "under sensitive" end of the spectrum. He is not startled easily and doesn't cover his ears or anything. It's probably an "overstimmulation" reaction, but I agree that he needs to stay with it to ever be able to tolerate it.
Ausomemom2: I am looking into the "legalities" of what they are suggesting for PE, and planning to call for an ARD to address all of his specials (that's what the call PE, music and art). It was not addressed in his last IEP since he was participating with the regular ed kindergarten class and I didn't think anything of it. Today he didn't go to music because he was having a "rough time". This happens often. The aide for the class is desperate for help. She has asked for autism training and they put her on a "waiting list". I told her not to take it personally when I go over everyone's head and start making noise. She knows that's what it will take to accomplish anything. So I'm doing my research and building my case before I request a meeting. Wish me luck.