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Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Job Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Examples

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $35K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $47K
Median Salary: $62K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $85K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $104K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Adapt instructional techniques to the age and skill levels of students.

Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement.

Provide individual or small groups of students with adapted physical education instruction that meets desired physical needs or goals.

Provide students positive feedback to encourage them and help them develop an appreciation for physical education.

Establish and maintain standards of behavior to create safe, orderly, and effective environments for learning.

Provide adapted physical education services to students with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, or other disabling condition.

Assess students' physical progress or needs.

Assist in screening or placement of students in adapted physical education programs.

Collaborate with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.

Evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for adapted physical education services.

Maintain thorough student records to document attendance, participation, or progress, ensuring confidentiality of all records.

Advise education professionals of students' physical abilities or disabilities and the accommodations required to enhance their school performance.

Communicate behavioral observations and student progress reports to students, parents, teachers, or administrators.

Write or modify individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with intellectual or physical disabilities.

Write reports to summarize student performance, social growth, or physical development.

Prepare lesson plans in accordance with individualized education plans (IEPs) and the functional abilities or needs of students.

Attend in-service training, workshops, or meetings to keep abreast of current practices or trends in adapted physical education.

Review adapted physical education programs or practices to ensure compliance with government or other regulations.

Request or order physical education equipment, following standard procedures.

Maintain inventory of instructional equipment, materials, or aids.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
Student record software
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Consumer electronics
Compact disk CD players
Emergency and field medical services products
Emergency first aid kits
Field and court sports equipment
Soccer balls
Fitness equipment
Exercise bands
Gymnastics and boxing equipment
Balance beams
Independent living aids for the physically challenged
Kickboards
Medical facility products
Electric wheelchairs
Other sports
Bowling sets
Physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation products
Upper body ergometers
Recreation and playground and swimming and spa equipment and supplies
Croquet sets
Sports equipment and accessories
Basketball hoops
Target and table games and equipment
Dart board equipment
Toys and games
Balance boards
Watersports equipment
Swim flippers
Winter sports equipment
Hockey sticks
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Education and Training
91%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Psychology
78%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

English Language
69%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Therapy and Counseling
63%
Importance

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Customer and Personal Service
62%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical
56%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Law and Government
56%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Public Safety and Security
55%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Computers and Electronics
54%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Communications and Media
53%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Top 10 Skills
Instructing
83%
Importance

Teaching others how to do something.

Active Learning
80%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness
80%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Learning Strategies
78%
Importance

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring
78%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension
78%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
83%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision
78%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Speech Clarity
75%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
75%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Fluency of Ideas
68%
Importance

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Top 10 Work Activities
Performing General Physical Activities
90%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Assisting and Caring for Others
88%
Importance

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Getting Information
82%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
81%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Developing Objectives and Strategies
81%
Importance

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively
81%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
80%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
80%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
80%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Documenting/Recording Information
78%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Detailed Work Activities

Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.

Evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.

Order instructional or library materials or equipment.

Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.

Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.

Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.

Encourage students.

Teach physical education.

Document lesson plans.

Maintain student records.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Assess educational needs of students.

Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.

Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.

Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.

Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.

Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.

Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.

Assist students with special educational needs.

Collaborate with other professionals to develop education or assistance programs.

Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Special Education Teachers, All Other
Major
Special Education and Teaching
Interests
Social
100%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Realistic
58%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising
43%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
39%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative
34%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Artistic
29%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Adaptability/Flexibility
95%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Cooperation
94%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Concern for Others
92%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Dependability
92%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
92%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative
91%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence
88%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Leadership
87%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Self Control
87%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Innovation
86%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values
Relationships
100%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Recognition
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
55%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.