Iva Obrusnikova
Assistant Professor

Research Interests

• Physical activity and social behavior of individuals with emotional and/or behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorders; inclusion of children with disabilities in general physical education.

Contact: obrusnik@udel.edu

Web page: http://udel.edu/~obrusnik/index.html

Education

• M.Ed., Palacky University, Dept. of Physical Culture , Olomouc, Czech Republic
• M.Sc. Catholic University, Dept. of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
• Ph.D., Palacky University, Dept. of Physical Culture , Olomouc, Czech Republic .

Professional Experience

• Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Kinesiology Program, University of Virginia, VA, 2002-2004
• Adapted Physical Education Consultant, Albemarle County, VA, 2002-2004
• Physical Education Teacher, Free Union Country School, Free Union, VA, 2003-2004
• Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health & Exercise Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 2004-2006
• Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health, Nutrition, & Exercise Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 2006-to date
• Director, Delaware Adapted Sport Club, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 2008-to date 2006-present

Courses

• HESC 342-Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity .
• HESC 343-Adapted Physical Education.
• HESC 319- Health Related Fitness.
• HESC 324-Measurement and Evaluation.
• HESC 400- Student Teaching Supervision.
• HESC 403- Practicum in Adapted Physical Education.

Recent Publications

• Obrusnikova, I. (in review). Barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation in children with autism spectrum disorders.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Dillon, S. R. (in review). Teacher perceptions of problem situations when teaching children with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive physical education.
• Obrusnikova, I., Dillon, S. R., & Block, M. E. (in press). Middle school student intentions to play with peers with disabilities in physical education: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
• Obrusnikova, I., Block, M. E., & Dillon, S. R. (in press). The use of Theory of Planned Behavior to explore children’s beliefs toward teacher-directed playing with peers with disabilities in physical education. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
• Obrusnikova, I., & Kelly, L. E. (2009). Caseloads and job responsibilities of public school adapted physical educators in the United States. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 109(3), 1-10.
• Obrusnikova, I. (2008). Physical educators’ beliefs about teaching children with disabilities . Perceptual and Motor Skills. 106, 637-644.
• Block, M. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2006). Inclusion in physical education: A review of the literature from 1995-2005. Manuscript accepted for publication. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
• Block, M. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2006). Facilitating social inclusion. In M.E. Block (Ed.), A teacher's guide to including children with disabilities in general physical education (3rd ed.). Baltimore: P. H. Brookes.
• Block, M. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2006). What is inclusion? In M. E. Block (Ed.), A teacher's guide to including children with disabilities in general physical education (3rd ed.). Baltimore: P. H. Brookes.
• Obrusnikova, I. (2005). Supporting children with autism in physical education: Two intervention strategies. The Reporter, 76(1), 28-29.
• Obrusnikova, I., Block, M. E., & Válková, H. (2003). Impact of inclusion in general physical education on students without disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 20, 230-245.

Honors and Awards, and Major Professional Offices Held

• Socrates/Erasmus Scholarship, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium, 1999
• Fulbright Grant, Kinesiology Program, University of Virginia, 2000