Phys. Ed. And Children with CMT
by Daniel Hunter, U.S.A. (Daniel was a primary school teacher and is now a university lecturer in the United States)

If you need help finding resources for your child or looking into your child's rights make your local board of education your first stop and be forceful, you pay taxes and your child's future is at stake.

If you live in the U.S. and your child is attending a public school which receives any type of federal funding, your child is entitled to an appropriate alternative or modified physical education class as long as PE is a regular part of the school's curriculum. If your child is having trouble in PE, contact the school district's administrator in charge of special education. Remember, the school is required to provide an appropriate alternative not just excuse the child from PE.

If you feel you are not getting appropriate service and you are sure that the district receives federal funds (I'm not aware of any that don't), then consult with a child advocacy service, offered by many universities, or consult a lawyer. Before you ask for alternative or modified PE, make certain that is what your child would like to do. Some children would rather attempt everything the others do, and can do so without harm if an appropriate atmosphere is provided by the teacher. I once taught a lovely eight-year-old girl who preferred doing all the regular activities. She fell frequently, and I often worried about her hurting her ankles especially, but she was determined to try everything. She had a healthy self-image, and a teacher who wore braces for the same disease, so all went well for her socially.

If you live in a small, rural district, the school's principal or the district superintendent would be the appropriate person to contact first as there might not be an administrator whose sole responsibility is special services. Have a letter from your child's doctor in hand before you start, and request that the doctor be included in developing the IEP (individualized educational plan).

If your school provides a nursing service, you may also request that the school nurse be part of the team that develops the IEP.

Remember, it is illegal for any child in a school receiving federal funds to suffer through inappropriate physical education. It is also illegal for the child to simply be excused from any physical education if it is offered to the rest of the class. Kids must neither be tortured nor left out.