For Teachers
Appropriate Interventions
Students with Down Syndrome, especially younger students, may require some interventions in order to succeed in school. The Down Syndrome Association of Western Michigan (DSAWM) offers some helpful interventions that may benefit students with Down Syndrome.
For Early Interventions, DSAWM, claims it is important to get students reading and listening. This can be done by:
DSAWM also offers a therapeutic intervention that are used commonly for students with Down Syndrome. The following intervention will help discover and remedy a student's sensory processing struggles:
Taken Directly from: http://www.dsawm.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=EdUFKA910ek%3D&tabid=87
If teachers and families work together to use interventions such as the Early Interventions and the Therapeutic Intervention, they will be helping their student get all of the necessary building blocks they need to do well in school. It is important that both teachers and parents work together to increase the likelihood of their student's success.
For Early Interventions, DSAWM, claims it is important to get students reading and listening. This can be done by:
- Exposing students to word games and books early
- Encouraging parents to read to their students as part of a "daily routine"
- Teach students listening and attending skills such as: pointing at pictures, finger tracking and predicting.
DSAWM also offers a therapeutic intervention that are used commonly for students with Down Syndrome. The following intervention will help discover and remedy a student's sensory processing struggles:
- Identify child's sensory processing (registration, modulation,emotional and behavioral responses)
- Develop a sensory processing team (parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists, etc.)
- Develop a sensory diet, a schedule of daily activities that promote sensory integration and provide useful feedback
- Use activities that calm or alert the system
- Utilize environmental modifications
- Frequently assess student's progress
Taken Directly from: http://www.dsawm.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=EdUFKA910ek%3D&tabid=87
If teachers and families work together to use interventions such as the Early Interventions and the Therapeutic Intervention, they will be helping their student get all of the necessary building blocks they need to do well in school. It is important that both teachers and parents work together to increase the likelihood of their student's success.
ACCOMMODATIONS Typically Associated With
There are many accommodations and modifications that teachers can make to help their student with down syndrome succeed. The Down Syndrome Association of Memphis & the Mid-South lists several of these accommodations in a handbook for teachers. The following accommodations are taken straight from this handbook:
Taken Directly from:
http://www.dsamemphis.org/assets/1140/tips_for_educating_children_with_down_syndrome_dsam.pdf
The use of these accommodations and modifications may help students with Down Syndrome succeed to the best of their ability.
- Shorter Lessons
- Re-takes on Tests
- Hands-On Modeling
- Enlarged Lessons
- Extended Time to Complete Assignments
- Assignments Sent Home for Completion
- Providing Books/Workbooks at Home
- Homework and Work Assignments Given to Families Early
- Assistant to Take Notes and Assist with Organization
- Peer Modeling and Tutoring
- Computer for Writing
- Alternate Handwriting Methods
- Equipment Modifications
Taken Directly from:
http://www.dsamemphis.org/assets/1140/tips_for_educating_children_with_down_syndrome_dsam.pdf
The use of these accommodations and modifications may help students with Down Syndrome succeed to the best of their ability.
DIFFERENTIATION Strategies
While there are some differentiation strategies, which will soon be discussed, it is important to note that many professionals believe that the best way to educate students with down syndrome is by including them in general education classes. Inclusion simply means to include every child in the classroom, including those with special needs and those without, for at least most of the day. The National Down Syndrome Society claims that there are several benefits of inclusion for both students with special needs and students without special needs. Some of these benefits include friendships between students without disabilities and students with disabilities, higher motivation from students with disabilities and a greater appreciation of differences from students without disabilities. Students with down syndrome also have higher social skills and a greater likelihood of becoming employed after school.
When students with down syndrome are included in the classroom it is important to differentiate lesson plans. If it takes a student with down syndrome a long time to read a passage, the teacher should give the student a shorter passage to read but one that is still relevant to the lesson. If that student is a more hands-on learner, instead of giving a math worksheet, provide a model that they can manipulate and learn from experience. When differentiating, it is important to challenge students without overwhelming them. It is unreasonable to give any student an assignment that they are not ready for. The most effective differentiation comes from knowing your students needs and current abilities. Teachers should find which methods work best for their students with Down Syndrome.
When students with down syndrome are included in the classroom it is important to differentiate lesson plans. If it takes a student with down syndrome a long time to read a passage, the teacher should give the student a shorter passage to read but one that is still relevant to the lesson. If that student is a more hands-on learner, instead of giving a math worksheet, provide a model that they can manipulate and learn from experience. When differentiating, it is important to challenge students without overwhelming them. It is unreasonable to give any student an assignment that they are not ready for. The most effective differentiation comes from knowing your students needs and current abilities. Teachers should find which methods work best for their students with Down Syndrome.
Resources For Teachers
DownSyn Forum is a free forum dedicated to helping people that have Down Syndrome and helping people who want to learn more about the condition. There is a great section in the forum about education that is a wonderful help for teachers.
Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center is a resource center for individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the general public who want to learn more about Down Syndrome. There are many tips and resources, including a lending library, to help teachers better educate students with Down Syndrome.
The U.S. Department of Education is the go to site for learning about laws and rights of students with disabilities in the classroom. This is also the place to go to learn more about how to supply the most appropriate education to students with disabilities. There are also many resources provided by the department of education that can assist teacher who have students with disabilities in their classroom.
The National Down Syndrome Society provides many resources for both students with Down Syndrome and teachers of students with Down Syndrome. Some of these resources include articles about the importance of including students with Down Syndrome in general education classrooms and ways to implement this inclusion so that it benefits students with and without Down Syndrome.
SEN Teacher offers free special education resources for teachers. This website includes information about many conditions including Down Syndrome and offers free resources for teachers who want to learn more about educating students with Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center is a resource center for individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the general public who want to learn more about Down Syndrome. There are many tips and resources, including a lending library, to help teachers better educate students with Down Syndrome.
The U.S. Department of Education is the go to site for learning about laws and rights of students with disabilities in the classroom. This is also the place to go to learn more about how to supply the most appropriate education to students with disabilities. There are also many resources provided by the department of education that can assist teacher who have students with disabilities in their classroom.
The National Down Syndrome Society provides many resources for both students with Down Syndrome and teachers of students with Down Syndrome. Some of these resources include articles about the importance of including students with Down Syndrome in general education classrooms and ways to implement this inclusion so that it benefits students with and without Down Syndrome.
SEN Teacher offers free special education resources for teachers. This website includes information about many conditions including Down Syndrome and offers free resources for teachers who want to learn more about educating students with Down Syndrome.