Down's Syndrome
Down's Syndrome is caused by having 47 chromosomes in every cell of the
body, instead of
46, resulting in a degree of developmental
delay.
It also produces a number of distinctive
physical characteristics. The pupils are usually
healthy but hearing, heart and respiratory
problems are quite common.
Pupils with Down's Syndrome experience
learning difficulties within the moderate to severe
range.
Difficulties
- gross and fine motor skills
- speech and
language delay
- auditory
perception
- possible hearing
loss/prone to colds/ear infections
- limited attention
span
- may need more time
to grasp learning concepts
- health problems
- bowel control
- stubborn; temper
tantrums
Support Strategies
Ensure that
- teaching is broken
down into very small steps
- opportunities exist for reinforcement,
repetition and revision
- a wide range of
brief tasks is set
- a variety of
appropriate, concrete materials is available
- rewards are
inbuilt to promote on-task effort
- pupil is socially
integrated
- confrontation is
avoided to encourage acceptable behaviour
Additional information
- good home-school
liaison is required re health, medication etc
- ICT is a useful
tool to improve concentration
- school
should take advice from parents and physiotherapist on PE/physical
activities
- pupils
with Down’s Syndrome can be very affectionate and like to please
- positive relationships are easily developed.
- be aware of heart problems when asking pupil to
exercise… They may not be able to tell you they have a heart problem/have
had heart surgery.
Recommended Reading
Homan, J, (1997) Spotlight on Special Educational Needs: Medical
Conditions, NASEN, Tamworth. ISBN 0 906730 96 1
Lorenz, S (1998) Children with Down's Syndrome:
A Guide for Teachers and Learning Support Assistants in Mainstream Primary and
Secondary Schools, Fulton, London
Contact and Web Sites
Down's Syndrome Association The Langdon Down Centre 2A Langdon Park, TeddingtonTW11 9PS
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
emailinfo@downs-syndrome.org.uk
Down's
Syndrome Educational Trust www.downsnet.org/downsed/
Down’s Syndrome Scotland, 150/160
Balgreen Road,
Edinburgh EH11
3AU
e-mail Info@dsscotland.org.uk
www.dsscotland.org.uk/