Adapted Physical Education Specialists

What the job really is

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

At a glance

• Sector: Education & Library
• O*NET-SOC code: 25-2059
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Adapt instructional techniques to the age and skill levels of students.
• Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement.
• Provide individual or small groups of students with adapted physical education instruction that meets desired physical needs or goals.
• Provide students positive feedback to encourage them and help them develop an appreciation for physical education.
• Establish and maintain standards of behavior to create safe, orderly, and effective environments for learning.
• Provide adapted physical education services to students with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, or other disabling condition.
• Assess students' physical progress or needs.
• Assist in screening or placement of students in adapted physical education programs.
• Evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for adapted physical education services.
• Collaborate with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
• Maintain thorough student records to document attendance, participation, or progress, ensuring confidentiality of all records.
• Advise education professionals of students' physical abilities or disabilities and the accommodations required to enhance their school performance.

Tools and technology

Facebook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Archery targets, Badminton sets, Balance beams, Balance boards, Basketball hoops, Basketballs

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
• Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
• Special Education Teachers, Preschool
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School
• Instructional Coordinators
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
• Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Adapted Physical Education Specialists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.