I wish you and yours a blessed New Year.

I urge all of our readers to become proactive to guarantee the safety, health, and well-being of all our children

This advocacy may take several forms.  Certainly, teaching and coaching well is critical.

But it is vital for each of us to become active politically at the local, regional and national level to help determine the future of our most precious resources -- our children.

Carol Huettig, Ph.D.
Adapted Section Editor

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time in Anchorage, Alaska with some wonderful Adapted Physical Educators, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Special Educators and their paraprofessionals.  These folks have developed their own web site.  And, I'd urge you to join them on their new site:

Anchorage, Alaska,  Adapted Physical Education

Admittedly, this is a little self-serving, but with no apologies, [since I've worked hard as a section editor] I'd like to announce that Texas Woman's University has received two major federal Office of Special Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation, grants to train professionals in Adapted Physical Education.  Dr. Ron French has received a 5 years Master's grant and Dr. Jean Pyfer and Dr. Carol Huettig have received a 4 year grant to prepare personnel at the Ph.D. level.  The personnel preparation grant at the Ph.D. level is particularly designed to increase the numbers of professionals with disabilities and professionals who represent ethnic, linguistic, and socio-cultural minority groups with Ph.D.'s in Adapted Physical Education.

There are numerous reasons that Holiday activities should be added into your bag of learning activities

• Great opportunity to do cross curricular learning (i.e. integrating classroom activities into physical education)
• Great opportunity to add something new to your unit plans
• Great opportunity to bring some fun and excitement into the gym.
• Great opportunity to have students work on art projects that can then be used in physical education

These are just a few of the reasons why holiday activities are a great addition to any physical education program. Work with the other teachers in your school and see what you can do. Remember also, that through the cross-curricular activities it is more likely that students with disabilities can be included.

Dr. Jefferies and Dr. Mathias asked the section editors to address heart health for the new year.

Clearly, it is critical that the physical educator is aware of the unique needs of the student with a disability and that an exercise program is based on a quality, comprehensive assessment.  There are, however, some very simple suggestions for addressing cardiovascular respiratory endurance in students with disabilities as part of the typical instructional day in physical education, that usually includes walking, jogging or running:

• While other students are walking, jogging or running, a student with good upper body control who ambulates using a wheelchair can "roll" right alongside.  It is ever so much more fun for the child using the chair if another student is also "rolling" in a chair.  Many hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and disability sport associations are willing to lend wheelchairs to schools for their use. 
• A student who ambulates using crutches or a walker can walk inside or outside of the "line of traffic".
• A student who is blind can walk or jog holding the elbow of a partner with similar skills. 
• A learner with Asperger's syndrome may simply need a well-trained partner to "talk" with him while walking or jogging.
• A student with autism may be able to participate in this structured part of the instructional day, when he may be unsuccessful in activities in which there is less structure.
• A student with Down syndrome may be very successful in a walking program.  However, the physical educator needs to be very aware of the fact that individuals with Down syndrome often have cardiovascular problems. 
• A student with ADD/ADHD may find an opportunity for significant aerobic exercise to be a welcome relief in a day when s/he has had to maintain self-control.  A partner to walk/run with the student may help him/her remain focused and on-task.
• Simple modifications for students with different types of disabilities can be found at the Project INSPIRE web site: http://www.twu.edu/INSPIRE