The PETE's PALS (Physical Education Teacher Educators Supporting Physical Activity and Life Skills) program is an aquatic and motor program offered for individuals with disabilities. The program is designed to help the participating individuals become efficient movers in a fun and safe environment. Each individual in the program is assigned a trained clinician who will work one-on-one with the individual for the two-hour gym and swim program. PETE's PALs is supported by Faith Community Ministries, with support of Purdue undergrad and graduate students.

A child's program may include: 

• Physical fitness activities to improve muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.
• Body awareness and spatial orientation.
• Fundamental motor patterns and sport skills.
• Swimming and water safety skills.
• Sensory motor activities.

Role of the PETE's PALs Clinician:  Individuals participating in PETE's PALs will be paired one-on-one with a trained, Purdue University undergraduate or graduate student clinician. The clinicians are recruited from Purdue's education and therapy disciplines who have shown an eagerness to work in the program and demonstrate a willingness to learn and accept an educational challenge to motivate and teach children and youth with disabilities. Interested students are interviewed and agree to the commitment of the PETE's PALS program. Clinicians are strategically paired with their partner based on their experience and the child's specific needs. Throughout the program, clinicians will evaluate children's physical activity and motor development needs and will structure individualized instruction in order to help them progress toward goals and objectives that are developed by the clinicians in concert with parents and children.

Participant Eligibility: PETE's PALs is open to individuals with a wide range of physical, intellectual, behavioral, and emotional disabilities ranging in age from 3 to 22 years old, as long as the individual is still in school. We are willing to work with parents to accommodate specific concerns and can provide additional assistance for children with more severe disabilities.