Adapted PE
Category: Laws/Policies

I am currently in my 20th year of employment with a SED Joint Agreement (Cooperative). Can physical therapy (a related service) be carried out during a child's regular PE class or at another time separate from the child's PE time as I believe. Both disciplines are working on the same goals, but I don't believe that legally PT can come in to a PE class and deliver service. Am I correct about this?

If this is on the child's active IEP then it is ok, but it cannot be in substitution for physical education. If they are working on the same objective and for example the PT is working on stretching and the PE person is working on fitness and they share time and the PE program is not substituted for, it is my understanding that this is ok.

It depends on what is in the IEP and what the parents have signed on for their child. Again, don't miss my point, it is not ok for the physical therapist to come in and take time without allowing the physical education program activities to continue.

Where services are delivered is not really the issue nor is time, it is about the active goals and the nature of related services in relation to the PE program. Communication is very important in my estimation for the situation that you describe. In some cases children's objectives can overlap (even though overall goals are separate) and it sounds like this might be one of those situations. However, both are interested in the same objective but the model or overall educational versus medical benefit is important to consider so that this issue of a related service sub for a direct service does not occur.

Last modified date: 9/13/2010

Return to Frequently Asked Questions Section