Learn more about physical education by joining or volunteering on a sports team at your school. This will allow you to see firsthand what physical education teachers do in their work. Adapted physical education specialists work with people with disabilities and impairments, so knowing if this field fits your personality, skills, and interests is essential. Get an internship or part-time job at an education center, hospital, assisted living facility, or any other organization that works with people with disabilities. Visit the Web sites of professional associations such as SHAPE America (https://www.shapeamerica.org) and the National Consortium for Physical Education for People with Disabilities (https://www.ncpeid.org) to learn more about whats happening in the field.

Adapted physical education specialists use the same skills that physical education teachers use. The difference is that the students they specialize in creating physical education programs for have disabilities, such as orthopedic impairments, traumatic brain injury, autism, or intellectual disabilities. Specialists screen and place students in physical education programs according to age, skills, and functional needs. They create individualized fitness programs to help students build strength in needed areas, improve their motor skills, energize them, and build self-esteem through sports and games.

They support students by giving them positive performance feedback and encouraging them during challenging exercises and programs. They give students periodic tests to observe their performance. They also keep records of students attendance and performance to track their progress and identify areas needing more work or an adjustment in the program. They prepare lesson plans that follow individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to students needs and abilities. They also establish rules of conduct to ensure students learning environment is safe and effective.

Adapted physical education specialists use databases, IEPs, and student record software. They communicate with other educators, supervisors, and coworkers by telephone, e-mail, and in-person to coordinate education programs. They also use Web browser software, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel to create programs and documents.