Chapter-4

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Content

Concept of Disability & Disorder

Types of Disability, its causes & nature (intellectual disability, physical disability)

Disability Etiquettes

Aim & Objective of Adaptive Physical Education

Role of various professionals for children with special needs (Counsellor, Occupational Therapist,
Physiotherapist, Physical Education Teacher, Speech Therapist & Special Educator)

In modern world, every differently-abled individual has the right to participate in the programmes of
physical education and sports. Sports for differently-abled are played by individuals with a disability,
including physical, cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

Most of the sports for differently-abled are just modified forms of the normally existing sports in
order to meet the needs of individuals with certain disability and thus they are usually referred to as
adapted sports. Nowadays, sports for differently-abled individuals are organised officially. These are
called organised sports for the sportspersons with a disability which is generally divided into three
main disability groups: the deaf (hearing impairment), persons with physical disabilities and persons
with intellectual disabilities. Physical education and sports provide ample opportunities to
differently-abled persons to lead a fruitful and energetic life.

CONCEPT OF DISABILITY AND DISORDER

There is no one on this planet who does not want to be physically fit, mentally alert, socially well-
adjusted and emotionally balanced. Every individual wants to remain healthy and attain harmonious
development. Nobody wants any hindrance or obstacle in the way of his/her life. We all want to
enjoy life, which is full of joy and pleasure. However, there are people who are unable to meet their
desires and longings, due to a disability or disorder. Generally, it is seen that these two words, i.e.,
disability and disorder are used interchangeably. However, it is not right. So, it is essential to
understand the exact meanings of these two terms.

Meaning of Disability

Disability is an impairment that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, etc.
It affects everyday activities of the individual to a considerable amount. It may be present in an
individual from birth or occur during one's lifetime. Disability has different meanings in different
societies of the world. Disability is an injury that restricts the functions or movements of an
individual. It is the consequence of an impairment caused to an individual. It can be said that it is
essentially a medical condition which does not permit an individual to perform any activity or
movement in a normal way.

Disability means inability to do work. In fact, it is the state of an individual, when he/she cannot work
efficiently.
"Disability is the reduction of functional ability to lead daily fruitful life."

According to World Health Organisation, "A disability is a restriction or lack (resulting from
impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for
a human being.

"Disability is an impairment that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical,

sensory or some combination of these. It substantially affects a person's life activities and may be
present from birth 99 or occur during a person's lifetime.

"A disability is a functional limitation or restriction of an individual's ability to perform an activity.

It means that it is an impairment that creates obstructions in normal functions or movements of an

individual. It limits and restricts the activities of a person.

Meaning of Disorder

Disorder is usually used for mental disabilities. Disorder is any ailment that disturbs the health of an
individual.

Most probably, disorders create hindrance in an individual's performance and reduce his efficiency.
In the beginning, disorders seem to be ordinary but they usually grow or spread in a harmful manner
in an individual. Most probably, a disorder cannot be detected on time, as a result of which, a simple
disorder is changed into a disability.

It can be said that a disorder disrupts the normal functioning of an individual. Disorder can be
defined as blip in the usual functioning of a person.

4.2 TYPES OF DISABILITY, THEIR CAUSES AND NATURE (COGNITIVE DISABILITY, INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITY, PHYSICAL DISABILITY)

Types of Disability

Disability occurs to individuals in many ways and with varied severity. Some individuals are disabled
right at birth while other individuals get disabled owing to some events during the course of their
lives. Mainly, there are three types of disabilities such as cognitive disability, intellectual disability
and physical disability. These disabilities are described below.

1. Cognitive Disability: Indeed, it is a neurological disorder that creates hindrance or obstruction for
an individual to store, process and produce information. This disability can affect an individual's
ability or capability to read, compute. speak and write. So, this type of disability can also be called
invisible disability because unlike other disabilities, you may not be able to assess the condition by
Just looking at the individual. Generally, the individuals who have this type of disability, usually have
following symptoms.

(i) Memory Disorder: An individual who has auditory problems or difficulty in remembering
something that he/she heard, said or saw some time ago.

(ii) Hyperactivity: An individual with cognitive disability may not have attention for a long period.
He/she finds it difficult to stay at one place.

As a matter of fact, he/she usually loses concentration frequently.

(iii) Dyslexia: An individual with cognitive disability may exhibit dyslexia. It means he/she may have
difficulty in writing, reading, speaking, etc.
2. Intellectual Disability: Intellectual disability is a disability characterised by significant limitations
both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning. problem solving) and in adaptive behaviour,
which covers a range of everydavi social and practical skills. Indeed, this disability is related to the
individual's thought processes, communication, money, learning, problem solving anda judgement. It
also includes psychiatric disability which is related to the individual's social disabilities such as
behaviour, emotions and thinking. The intellectual disability begins before the age of 18 years.

3. Physical Disability: A physical disability is a limitation on an individual's physical functioning,

mobility, dexterity or stamina. Other impairments such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy
and sleep disorders, which limit other facets of daily life are also included in physical disabilities.

Physical disability may either be motor deficiency (mobility impairment) or a sensory impairment.
Motor deficiency is related to spinal cord, causing paralysis to some or all the limbs ie., hands and
legs. It may also be related to brain damage, which may occur before birth, during or after birth or
after a stroke. Sensory impairment is related to an individual's visual or hearing impairments. In
simple words, a physical disability is one that affects a person's mobility or dexterity.

Causes of Disabilities and Disorder

There are various causes of disability that are stated below.

1. Genetic Causes: Some disabilities are known to be inherited such as spinal muscular atrophy and
muscular dystrophy. Abnormalities in genes and genetic inheritance cause intellectual disability in
children. Sometimes, diseases, illnesses 3 and over exposure to X-rays may cause genetic disorder.

2. Poverty: Poverty is one of the major causes of disability. Generally, it is seen that poor persons are
the most vulnerable to disability because they live anda n in unsafe environment with poor
sanitation. They don't have good living onditions. They usually have little access to education, safe
drinking water and proper nutrition. Owing to these conditions they fall prey to such diseases that
lead them towards disability. Many babies may be born with disabilities. This may be because they
did not get enough nutrition during gestation.

3 Mental Health Problems: Mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, etc., may
lead to disability. As a matter of fact, the causes of mental health problems are very difficult to
diagnose. They tend to be some of the most misunderstood disabilities.

4. Accidents: Nowadays, life is so fast that accidents may occur anywhere, anytime and to anyone.
These accidents may happen at workplace, on the roads or in the air. These accidents may lead to
disability.

5. Infectious Diseases: Infectious diseases may also cause disabilities. If the immunity power of a
child is low, he is susceptible to fall sick or contact more serious illnesses. If a child is not immunised
well, he becomes vulnerable to infectious diseases like mumps, which can cause hearing impairment
or polo, which can cripple the child.

6. Disturbance in Endocrine Glands: Disturbance in endocrine glands may also lead to disability.
Owing to such disturbance, a child may suffer from various physical and mental deficiency.

7.Mulnutration

8.poor approach to Health

9.Nuclear Accident
10. Toxic materials pesticides and insecticides

11. Illnesses

12.Lack of Education

14. Medicines and vaccines

15. Dangerous working Environment

Disability Etiquette

Disability Etiquette is a set of guidelines dealing specifically with how to approach a person with a
disability. Disability etiquette refers to communicating and interacting respectfully and courteously
with people who have disabilities.

Positive and Energetic Attitude – One should approach a person with special needs with positive
energy and attitude. Approach should be warm and friendly. One should not show sympathy for, or,
even in certain cases, fear of the person.

Communication - Communication should be two way – speaking to the person directly, and not to
the person accompanying her/him. Establish a rapport with her/him. If necessary, use a
communication aid such as a communication book or communication device, if required. Keep your
tone low. Communicate with the individual slowly and clearly. Give them time to respond. While
writing, or talking to or about a person with a disability, use “people first” language. Refer to her/him
as a person with disability and not as “the disabled” or “the handicapped.” Avoid referring to people
by their disability.

Social Etiquette – Make surroundings disabled-friendly and comfortable for people with special
needs. Do not make assumptions about what they can or cannot do. The impact of a specific
disability can vary widely from person to person, so help only if it appears to be needed.
Physical Etiquette - The height difference between a person in a wheelchair and an able- bodied
person can create an unspoken feeling of superiority and inferiority. To be safe, sit or stand at eye-
level with the person who has a disability when it is appropriate and possible. Finding a table to sit at
is a great option because it can eliminate any visible differences, such as a wheelchair.

Meaning of Adapted or Adaptive physical Education

It can be defined as "a diversified programme of developmental activities, games, sports and
rhythms, suited to the interests, capacities and limitations of students with disabilities, who may
not safely or successfully engage in unrestricted participation in the general physical education
programme."

adapted physical education is basically a specially designed physical education programme for
differently abled students.
Adapted physical education provides safe, personally satisfying and successful experiences of
physical activity to children who are differently abled.

Adapted physical education is not only for differently abled infants and students but also for the
people of all ages.

Aim of Adaptive Physical Education

The aim of adapted or adaptive physical education is to help or aid differently abled students to
achieve physical, mental, emotional and social growth proportionate to their potential through
special, planned programme of regular physical education and recreational activities. In fact, its aim
is to provide equal opportunity to the differently abled students to participate in physical education
programmes, safely and successfully, in a least restrictive environment.

Objectives of Adaptive Physical Education There are following objectives of adaptive physical
education

1. Ensure Services to Meet Special Needs: The main as well as foremost objective of adaptive or
adapted physical education is to ensure that a differently abled student is provided with physical
education services that meet his/her unique or special need appropriately.

2. Develop Motor Skills: Another significant objective of adaptive physical education is to develop
motor skills of students with disabilities. Motor skills are essential for performing not only specific
tasks but daily routine activities also. These skills enable physically disabled students to become
active and agile.

3. Enhance Self-esteem and Self-image: In fact, all students can do activities according to their
abilities. Set goal for students, for example, to throw a ball 25 times. If they perform it easily after
certain period of time their goals can be set higher.

4 Ensure Participation of Students in Physical Education Programmes: Another important objective

of adaptive physical education is to ensure that each student actively participates in physical
education programmes regularly at his/her own level and that the student is integrated into the
regular education programme whenever possible.

5. Improve Physical Fitness: To improve the physical fitness of differently abled students is another
vital objective of adapted or adaptive physical education. In fact, modified or adaptive exercises are
provided in the programmes of adapted physical education to improve physical fitness.

6. Motivate Students to Protect Themselves: The next important objective of adaptive physical
education is to motivate differently abled students to protect themselves under any condition that
may be aggravated through certain physical activities.

7. Promote Sportsmanship Qualities: To promote sportsmanship qualities among the differently

abled students is also one of the major objectives of adaptive physical education. Participation in
adaptive physical education programmes naturally improve sportsman qualities.
8. Develop Knowledge of Good Mechanics: To develop knowledge of good body mechanics is
another important objective of adaptive physical education. In fact, adaptive physical education
helps each individual to develop knowledge and sense of appreciation with regard to good body
mechanics.

9. Improve Social Adjustments: To improve social adjustments among differently abled students is
another objective of adaptive physical education. In fact, social adjustments are essential especially
in today's society. Participation in programmes of adaptive physical education helps the differently
abled students to make social adjustment.

ROLE OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONALS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (COUNSELLOR,

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST PHYSIOTHERAPIST, PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER, SPEECH THERAPIST
AND SPECIAL EDUCATOR)

The details of the role of various professionals for children with special needs is stated below.

1. School Counselor: School counselor is the specialist who work with students with special needs in
schools. A school counselor is a member of the education team who provides valuable assistance to
students with special needs. He also helps. them with their academic goals, their social, personal and
career development. He also helps them with their academic goals, their social, personal and career
development.

2. Physiotherapist A physiotherapist is concerned with the gross motor skills and mobility of the
children with special needs. The role of a physiotherapist is to assess and manage children and young
persons with movement disorders, disability. Physiotherapists use a range of techniques including
massage manipulation, exercise and movement, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy.
3. Occupational Therapist: An occupational therapist helps children with special needs in performing
self-care skills like eating, dressing, bathing and grooming, that is, activities related to fine motor
skills. He also helps children in participating and interacting with others in play. He helps children in
adapting to regular school.

4. Physical Education Teacher: Physical education teachers need to determine the abilities of
students with special needs. They also need to determine measures to be implemented to support
their participation in sports and fitness. Physical education teachers help students with special needs
to improve their physical fitness. They help in improving hand-eye coordination, flexibility, muscular
strength, endurance and even cardiovascular efficiency. Physical education teachers also provide
such physical activities for students with special needs which may help in reducing anxiety, stress.
tension and depression. Physical education teachers help students with special needs in developing a
sense of self-esteem, which can be important as students with special needs may often feel isolated
and removed from the group. They organise various physical activities for students with special
needs in order promote their mental and physical health.

5. Speech Therapist: A speech therapist in school provides treatment, support and care for students
with special needs who have difficulties in communication. Speech therapists help students with
special needs to gain ability to communicate through speech and language. Speech therapists help
and provide trainings for those students who face difficulty in producing sounds or syllables or saying
words incorrectly. They also help such students who have fluency disorders like stoppages,
repetitions or prolonging sounds in words.

6. Special Educator: A special educator or education teacher often has students with varying
learning, mental, physical and emotional abilities. They may assist students with special needs in the
areas of physical skills, learning through play, communication, improving social and emotional skills.
Indeed, special educators' main responsibility is to assess their students' cognitive abilities. They also
create and apply curricula and activities to meet the requirements of students with special needs.