Occupations · Educational Instruction and Library

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 25-2059.01

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for adapted physical education services.
Collaborate with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
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.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Active Listening4.0

Active Learning4.0

Speaking4.0

Monitoring3.9

Learning Strategies3.9

Critical Thinking3.9

Writing3.9

Reading Comprehension3.9

Mathematics2.0

Science1.5

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Facebook●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●Database softwareEmail softwareIndividualized Educational Program IEP softwareStudent record softwareWeb browser software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.7 below average

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People+1.6 above average

Spend Time Walking or Running+1.4 above average

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate−1.3 below average

Spend Time Standing+1.3 above average

Physical Proximity+1.3 above average

Spend Time Sitting−1.2 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2020-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree38%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.33%

Master's Degree29%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2020-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Social7.0

Conventional4.2

Realistic4.1

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

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

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Instructing4.1

Social Perceptiveness4.0

Service Orientation3.9

Judgment and Decision Making3.9

Coordination3.5

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Persuasion3.1

Systems Evaluation3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Education and TrainingPsychologyEnglish LanguageTherapy and CounselingCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and Government

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionNear VisionWritten Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Autism Motor SpecialistAdaptive Skills EducatorAdapted Physical EducatorAdaptive Physical EducatorAdapted Fitness ProfessionalMovement Education SpecialistDevelopmental Physical EducatorCertified Adapted Physical EducatorCertified Adaptive Physical EducatorAdapted Physical Activity SpecialistAdapted Physical Education Specialist (APE Specialist)Adapted Physical Education Teacher (Adapted PE Teacher)Adaptive Physical Education Teacher (Adaptive PE Teacher)Adaptive Physical Education Specialist (Adaptive PE Specialist)

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 4

+Microsoft Outlook+Facebook+Microsoft PowerPoint+Microsoft Office software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Education SpecialistAutism Motor SpecialistAdaptive Skills EducatorAdapted Physical EducatorPhysical Education TeacherPhysical Education TrainerAdaptive Physical EducatorPhysical Education ProviderAdapted Fitness ProfessionalStudent Education SpecialistServices Education SpecialistPhysical Education Specialist

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
sport therapist	3423.2.4	close
sports instructor	3422.5	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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