How do adapted physical education specialists determine how, what, and where to teach students with autism

During the last decade the number of students diagnosed with autism has grown at an alarming rate. As a result, the number of children with autism attending public schools has grown, and in turn, adapted physical education (APE) specialists are now working with more children with autism. There have been many unique training methods that have been created to teach children with autism. However, it is not known whether APE specialists are familiar with these unique training methods. Furthermore, it is unclear how APE specialists choose the appropriate physical education content to teach children with autism. Finally, how do APE specialists make placement decisions for their children with autism? In order to answer these questions a qualitative study was conducted in which five select APE specialists were interviewed in order to determine how, what, and where they provide physical education services to their students with autism. Results of the study found that each of the APE specialists used collaboration with the Individual Education Program (IEP) Team members to make education decisions for students with autism. With regards to the unique teaching methods for children with autism, the participants did not use a particular teaching method in its entirety, instead each participant used different pieces of the various unique methods. The specialists also made it a point to individualize the physical education program for each child with autism in order to achieve the desired results. Due to the individualization of each student's program, it is evident why only pieces of the unique teaching methods would be used. The APE specialists found success with students with autism when collaborating and individualizing were conducted routinely. Therefore, the more information a teacher knows about a student through collaboration the better chance of success with the student.