Hello Janette. I am now a Professor at a Norwegian University. But about 18 years ago, when I was a senior researcher in England, I conducted field research for the National Health Service among young pupils, aged about 14-16, who had asthma. A surprising view (indeed, two opposite views) that emerged was the attitudes of these young people towards PE teachers. If my memory serves me correctly, those who expressed a view (during semi-structured focus group interviews) on PE teachers, either perceived these teachers as unsympathetic and lacking in necessary skills with regard to responding to asthmatic attacks, or, the very opposite: namely sympathetic human beings who were well trained in how to deal with emergencies. 

In my report, I proposed that teacher education providers (mainly, colleges and universities) should prepare future teachers for dealing professionally and competently with asthma-related problems. Regarding the teachers whom some pupils described as unsympathetic, the feeling is captured in statements that roughly add up to something like the following: ´I told the teacher I could´t do PE today because my asthma was bad, but he thought I was making excuses´.

I know that this does not directly address your specific question, but I hope it touches some of the issues regarding what you refer to as "groomed" disability. I must add that I have not come across this term before, and wonder if it might be interpreted as a derogatory judgement. Are there alternative ways of referring to some pupils who might mimic illness in order to avoid doing PE? Finally, it would be appropriate to consider why, for example, some obese children do not want to participate in PE through fear of being bullied.

Best wishes, Paul

If I understand your question correctly, you are working with a student(s) that demonstrates adverseness to participation in sports or PE, correct?

If this is indeed what you are asking, have you tried requesting a Functional Behavior Assessment to determine the cause of the aversions to PE or sports? Once the cause of the behavior is determined, your team can work effectively in creating a plan that will eliminate the issue.