Adaptive Newsletter Article
Instructor to Instructor Newsletter, Winter 2026
Peter Donahue, RM Adaptive Committee Member and Adaptive Coordinator at Taos Ski Valley
For those who do not work or volunteer with a nonprofit adaptive program, and whose resort does not have a nearby nonprofit option, there may be times when you are asked to teach an individual with an intellectual or developmental Disability. Have no fear, you may find it to be the most rewarding lesson you will ever teach!
The skills we develop as instructors when working with this population are the foundation of what we do every day as we interact with others. More importantly, we are enabling inclusion for these individuals, perhaps along with family members and their neurotypical peer group. As if that weren’t rewarding enough, we get to see in real-time how everyone benefits from interaction with these wonderful humans.
We usually think of inclusion as providing individuals with an equal opportunity to be a part of our community for their benefit. Considering it more closely, it’s not hard to see how we all benefit when we witness joy on their faces and how it spreads to those around us. My experience has been that this group are generally the nicest and the most truly honest people you will ever meet. Most are incapable of behavior to intentionally judge, offend, or harm others, and they are truly living in the moment. They may be challenging, distant, utterly self-absorbed, but always honest!
Naturally, there is an enormous range of abilities among this group: a full spectrum of individuals, from the most challenged to those functioning independently with supports, or even without them. While it’s a great thing that many opportunities exist with our adaptive non-profit member schools, they are not always available at smaller resorts, and the service they provide might not be optimal for a child with a moderate intellectual disability who is used to being included, with supports, in the general education classroom. Accommodating these individuals with informed and professional instruction is a huge asset to our resorts and visiting families.
When we voluntarily opt in to gain experience in teaching adaptive lessons, plus make the effort to access the associated training materials and credentials offered by PSIA/AASI, we are opening ourselves to a population with a broad range of physical and intellectual variability. By including these individuals in our lives and work, we are encouraged to be our best selves, to be the most sensitive to the needs of others, and to help build a stronger and more egalitarian snowsports culture. Supporting the ability for this population to access this health giving and life altering sport is the greatest joy we can experience in our life and work!
To see a variety of materials, mentoring opportunities, and TTP clinic topics for you and your school on teaching and supporting lessons of guests with Cognitive-related diagnoses follow this link https://www.psia-rm.org/adaptive-alpine/adaptive-alpine-education-materials/. Scroll down to the Adaptive Alpine Cognitive and Visually Impaired Materials section to access Teaching Guides and information or follow this link directly to Adaptive Alpine Teaching Guide Cognitive Diagnoses. Use the Adaptive Alpine Cognitive Discipline Development Guide as a resource to steer and document your education and progress toward amazing instruction and guest service to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Additional materials and manuals for Adaptive can be found at www.thesnowpros.org.