DANVILLE — Christmas came early for Ashley Clanton and the students in her adaptive physical education class at Danville High School.

The Danville Chapter of AMBUCS donated 15 shiny, red AmTrykes to the class thanks to a grant from the Wheeler Foundation. AMBUCS officials said the adaptive PE class is the first known one in the nation to use the therapeutic tricycles.

"As a class, we are just excited to get on the AmTrykes and make them part of our weekly routine," said Clanton, a fifth-year teacher. "To see the kids get on their bikes and ride around is priceless."

Now in its third year, Clanton's class pairs 15 special-needs students and able-bodied students, called buddies, for various activities. "Before, special-needs students were integrated into regular PE classes. They really didn't get a lot of activity," she said.

Then Debi Hosch, the PE department head, learned about adaptive classes at a seminar. She credits Clanton with tailoring a program for the high school.

The class is held in the field house during sixth hour when no other classes use the facility, giving students ample space to spread out and move around in a safe manner. Each week, Clanton pairs a buddy with a different special-needs student, and the buddy helps his or her student as they play soccer, baseball, volleyball and basketball, bowl, do an obstacle course, exercise or do other activities designed by the buddies.

Clanton said her special-needs students get much more activity. More importantly, she said, "it keeps everything inclusive. The special-needs students really feel like they're a part of everything, and the buddies get to work with special-needs students and build relationships with them."

Earlier this year, Clanton was invited to speak about her class to the local AMBUCS chapter. AMBUCS is a national service organization dedicated to creating opportunities for independence and mobility for people with disabilities, especially children. Afterward, Bob Richard, the national AmTryke grant coordinator, asked Clanton if she would be interested in using AmTrykes in her class.

"She wasn't aware of what an AmTryke was," Richard said of the specially designed trikes that people can pedal by using their hands or feet. "But she said she was always looking for new ideas to incorporate into the classroom and we thought it was a perfect fit for the class."

AMBUCS members met with Clanton and her students to determine the type of AmTryke they would need and make necessary adjustments. They delivered them and matching bicycle helmets to the school Thursday.

At a short ceremony, Hosch thanked Clanton, AMBUCS and the Wheeler Foundation. AMBUCS and the school district purchased a special lift to help transfer students from their wheelchairs to their trikes.

Then, students strapped on their new helmets, climbed on their trikes and took off.

"Doing fine, doing fine," Michael Tabels said, as he sped around the track. His buddy, Ezra Rabin, had to jog to keep up with him.

"I like it!" said Meghan Verkler, who her hands to propel her trike forward.

Clanton said the AmTrykes have many therapeutic benefits, including helping to improve motor skills and strength development and boosting self-esteem.

"Some of the kids are in wheelchairs and have limited arm and leg movements," she said, pointing to Kristen Belton. "For us, she's the most exciting kid. We thought we'd have to stand behind her and push. But when we got her onto her AmTryke, she took off. That's increasing her cardio and the blood flow to her legs, which have limited movement in her chair. And it's so exciting to see her engaged."

Seniors Ann Comrie and Brianna Reed said they have enjoyed being buddies, and they're now considering pursuing careers as special-education teachers.

"I absolutely love working with these kids," Comrie said. "You work with them super hard on something, and when they finally get it, it's a great feeling to see the joy on their faces."