down syndrome
DEFINITION
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that causes delays in physical and mental development. The student’s abilities and the severity of associated medical conditions can vary greatly, from mild to severe. There are many physical issues common with Down syndrome including heart problems, thyroid issues and gastrointestinal (bowel) issues. Other physical issues include hearing and visual impairments, low muscle tone, and instability in the ligaments holding the neck vertebrae together. Coding: 58, Medical and 43, Severe Multiple Disability |
CHARACTERISTICS/BEHAVIOURS
Cognitive Challenges: Students will struggle with auditory learning and therefore will need visual supports, questions phrased in few words and slowly, and will benefit best from regular routines. Communication Challenges: Students may struggle with explaining themselves and will need to have resources to show what they mean. Developing a system for you and your students to use would be best. *Consult with speech-language pathologist for assistance. Sensory/Motor Challenges: Multi tasking and responding quickly can be very difficult and can lead to acting out in various ways if this happens. Fine and gross motor skills can also be poorly developed and lead to frustrations. |
TEACHING STRATEGIES
- Benefit most with visual and kinesthetic learning tactics that are paired with simple and concise instruction and should be incorporated in classroom. - Struggle with muti-tasking and best to limit student to one task at a time. Being very concise and outlining expectations in a simple form such as a checklist may work best. - Keep structure and routine in your classroom as noise and disruptions can cause student to act out. - Allow for differentiation in all instruction and expectations can be different for these students based on the challenges they face on a daily basis. |
RESOURCES
“Accessing The Curriculum.” Down Syndrome Education Online. 2014. Web. from, http://www.downsyndrome.org/information/education/curriculum/
“Building schools for Concentration.” Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. Vol. 24, No. 1 (April 2009). pp. 47-66. Web.
“Down Syndrome.” Medical/Disability Information for Classroom Teachers. Learn Alberta, 2014. Web. Retrieved from
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/inmdict/html/down_syndrome.html
“Guidelines for Teachers of Students with Down Syndrome.” Down Syndrome WA. 2009. Web. Retrieved from http://dsawa.asn.au/library-resources-andlinks/education-packs/teacher.html
Johnson, Carol. Canadian Down Syndrome Society. 2014. Web. Retrieved from
http://www.cdss.ca/images/pdf/parent_information/teaching_students_with_down_syndrome.pdf
“Strategies for Learning and Teaching.” Special Education Support Service. 2015. Web. Retrieved from http://www.sess.ie/categories/assessedsyndromes/downs-syndrome/tips-learning-and-teaching.
“Accessing The Curriculum.” Down Syndrome Education Online. 2014. Web. from, http://www.downsyndrome.org/information/education/curriculum/
“Building schools for Concentration.” Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. Vol. 24, No. 1 (April 2009). pp. 47-66. Web.
“Down Syndrome.” Medical/Disability Information for Classroom Teachers. Learn Alberta, 2014. Web. Retrieved from
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/inmdict/html/down_syndrome.html
“Guidelines for Teachers of Students with Down Syndrome.” Down Syndrome WA. 2009. Web. Retrieved from http://dsawa.asn.au/library-resources-andlinks/education-packs/teacher.html
Johnson, Carol. Canadian Down Syndrome Society. 2014. Web. Retrieved from
http://www.cdss.ca/images/pdf/parent_information/teaching_students_with_down_syndrome.pdf
“Strategies for Learning and Teaching.” Special Education Support Service. 2015. Web. Retrieved from http://www.sess.ie/categories/assessedsyndromes/downs-syndrome/tips-learning-and-teaching.