Purdue program provides physical activities to children with disabilities

May 8, 2013  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s PETE’s PALs, a program that gives children with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities a chance to work with Purdue student clinicians on physical fitness, swimming and water-safety skills, will begin its summer session June 19.  

The program, which stands for Physical Education Teacher Educators Supporting Physical Activity, Learning and Service, provides 10 hours of one-on-one interaction between the child and the clinician. Undergraduate and graduate students are trained to work with children with special needs and to adapt the program for individual needs. The program is open to ages 3-18.

“Each child will receive instruction that is tailored specifically for them,” said K. Andrew R. Richards, program co-coordinator and graduate teaching assistant. “The focus on physical activities gives participants a chance to improve muscle strength, endurance and flexibility, develop body awareness and spatial orientation, and refine motor patterns and sports skills.”

Child and clinician applications, which are due June 3, can be found online at http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/hk/petespals/. Questions can be directed to Richards at karichar@purdue.edu, 413-358-1075. 

The cost is $30 per child, and all sessions run from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays at the Faith Community Center in Lafayette. The program will run on June 19 and 26, and July 3, 10 and 17. 

Writer: Morgan Stephens, 765-490-4855, MorganLStephens@gmail.com 

Source: Andrew R. Richards, 413-358-1075, Karichar@purdue.edu

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