This webinar will review the newly updated fact sheet- Collaboration for Student Access and Success: APE & SBPT Under IDEA, endorsed by APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, SHAPE America and the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities. We will discuss how adapted physical education (APE) and school-based physical therapy (SBPT) professionals work together to promote meaningful access, participation, and progress for students with disabilities. Participants will explore the distinct yet complementary roles of APE teachers and school-based physical therapy practitioners within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including areas of shared responsibility, referral and evaluation considerations, service-delivery decision making, and strategies for collaborative planning.

The source fact sheet specifically addresses the respective roles of APE and SBPT under IDEA, their overlap and differences, and the value of collaboration in supporting students with disabilities. The webinar will highlight student-centered, participation-focused teamwork to connect each profession’s expertise with physical education programming. Participants will share practical methods for communicating across disciplines, clarifying roles on the IEP team, aligning goals and supports, and reducing duplication or fragmentation of services.

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the primary roles, responsibilities, and educational purposes of adapted physical education and school-based physical therapy for students with disabilities under IDEA.
2. Differentiate between APE and SBPT services by analyzing their disciplinary expertise, eligibility considerations, assessment focus, and contributions to a student’s educational program.
3. Identify any limits on collaboration or role; delineating which expertise can contribute which data, service, recommendation, etc.
4. List practical strategies for communication, developing collaborative teams, procedures, and programs.
5. Develop one feasible action step for strengthening APE–SBPT collaboration in the participant’s own school district, program, or practice setting.