Adapted PE
Category: Laws/Policies

My son has been diagnosed with ADHD. He is doing well in his academic classes but is struggling in physical education class. Consequently he is in time out alot-- in face they have had him in a special time out for the last two weeks. He is not really participating in physical education but rather made to sit out and watch the other children. What can I do?

Your son needs to be properly assessed in the motor area including his ability to learn in such a large group environment. The federal law says children have to be assessed in areas of suspected disability or deficit. I recommend you put in writing that you feel your son has a suspected area of deficit in physical education and that you would like an assessment. His educational label of ADHD may or may not be relevant in physical education based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, if there is a link between his behavior and the disability that can be addressed in an IEP then this should be addressed even if your son is doing well.

At the present time it sounds like they are placing him in a separate setting. It does not sound like they have done enough assessment and also has there been an IEP or any type of meeting? If this does not work, then I recommend you address this through the Americans with Disabilities act. This act says that a person cannot be discriminated against based on disability.

Your son has a known condition that affects a major life function and it appears that all you want is a reasonable accommodation.

I also don't know if the school district can justify two weeks of facing a wall as reasonable consequences for the behavior you describe for any child. I think you need to put your concerns in writing and give them to the principal of the school today. Keep in brief and use the words that I have put in this email...suspected disability, reasonable accommodation and condition that affects a major life function (school and friends & tell them of the label ADHD that is documented).

In this written concern ask for assessment to see if your child's education needs are being met. This puts in place the process for assessment and accomodation.

If you do not hear back in a few weeks, you may have to be willing to go further. Again, I would suggest that your son does have a right to some reasonable accommodation, but you have to let the school know in writing that he has this condition and that you feel it is affecting his ability to perform and achieve in physical education class. Is he getting good grades in PE? If not, PE is the only curricular area mentioned under IDEA. He has a right to physical education programming and any accommodations should be on an IEP.

Last modified date: 9/13/2010

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