Tips for Teachers
- Learn as much as possible about Down sydrome. The organizations
mentioned in this fact sheet can help you identify techniques and
specific strategies to support the student’s learning. We’ve included
some additional suggestions below.
- This may seem obvious, but sometimes the appearance of Down syndrome
can give the mistaken impression that the child cannot learn. Focus on
the individual child and learn firsthand what needs and capabilities he
or she has.
- Realize that you can make a big difference in this student’s life!
Use the student’s abilities and interests to involve and motivate. Give
lots of opportunities for the student to be successful.
- Talk candidly with your student’s parents. They’re experts and can
tell you a great deal about their daughter’s or son’s special needs and
abilities.
- Work with the student’s parents and other school personnel to
develop and implement a special educational plan (IEP) that addresses
the individual needs of the student. Share information on a regular
basis with parents about how things are going for the student at home
and in school.
- If you’re not part of the student’s IEP team, ask for a copy of this
important document. The student’s educational goals will be listed
there, as will the services and accommodations that he or she is
supposed to receive, including in your class.
- Talk to specialists in your school (for example, special educators),
as necessary. They can help you identify methods that are effective for
teaching a student with disabilities, ways to adapt the curriculum, and
how to address the student’s IEP goals in the classroom.
- Be as concrete as possible with the student. Demonstrate what you
want to see happen instead of giving only verbal instructions. When you
share concrete information verbally, also show a photograph. Give the
student practical materials and experiences and the opportunity to touch
and examine objects.
- Divide new tasks and large tasks into smaller steps. Demonstrate the
steps. Have the student do the steps, one by one. Offer help when
necessary.
- Give the student immediate, concrete feedback.
Tips for Parents
- Learn about Down syndrome. The more you know, the more you can help yourself and your child.
- Love and play with your child. Treat your son or daughter as you
would a child without disabilities. Take your child places, read
together, have fun.
- Encourage your child to be independent. For example, help your son
or daughter learn self-care skills such as getting dressed, grooming,
and doing laundry.
- Give your child chores. Keep in mind his or her age, mental
capacity, attention span, and abilities. Divide tasks into small steps.
Explain what your child is supposed to do, step by step, until the chore
is done. Demonstrate. Offer help when it’s needed and praise when
things go well.
- Work with the professionals who are working with your child.
Participate in team meetings where your child’s education or program is
being planned, share your unique knowledge of who your son or daughter
is, advocate that the program address your child’s needs.
- Find out what your child is learning at school. Look for ways to
apply it at home. For example, if the teacher is reviewing concepts of
money, take your child to the supermarket with you to help keep track of
what money you’re spending.
- Look for social opportunities in the community (such as Scouts) or
activities offered through the department of sports and leisure. Joining
in and taking part will help your child develop social skills and have
fun.
- Talk with other parents whose children have Down syndrome. They can
be a fountain of practical advice and emotional support. Visit the
websites of the organizations listed below to see if they have a parent
group nearby.
- Be patient, be hopeful. Your child, like every child, has a whole lifetime to learn and grow.
- Take pleasure in your beautiful one. He—she—is a treasure. Learn
from your child, too. Those with Down syndrome have a special light
within—let it shine.
Tips for Teachers
- Learn as much as possible about Down sydrome. The organizations mentioned in this fact sheet can help you identify techniques and specific strategies to support the student’s learning. We’ve included some additional suggestions below.
- This may seem obvious, but sometimes the appearance of Down syndrome can give the mistaken impression that the child cannot learn. Focus on the individual child and learn firsthand what needs and capabilities he or she has.
- Realize that you can make a big difference in this student’s life! Use the student’s abilities and interests to involve and motivate. Give lots of opportunities for the student to be successful.
- Talk candidly with your student’s parents. They’re experts and can tell you a great deal about their daughter’s or son’s special needs and abilities.
- Work with the student’s parents and other school personnel to develop and implement a special educational plan (IEP) that addresses the individual needs of the student. Share information on a regular basis with parents about how things are going for the student at home and in school.
- If you’re not part of the student’s IEP team, ask for a copy of this important document. The student’s educational goals will be listed there, as will the services and accommodations that he or she is supposed to receive, including in your class.
- Talk to specialists in your school (for example, special educators), as necessary. They can help you identify methods that are effective for teaching a student with disabilities, ways to adapt the curriculum, and how to address the student’s IEP goals in the classroom.
- Be as concrete as possible with the student. Demonstrate what you want to see happen instead of giving only verbal instructions. When you share concrete information verbally, also show a photograph. Give the student practical materials and experiences and the opportunity to touch and examine objects.
- Divide new tasks and large tasks into smaller steps. Demonstrate the steps. Have the student do the steps, one by one. Offer help when necessary.
- Give the student immediate, concrete feedback.
Tips for Parents
- Learn about Down syndrome. The more you know, the more you can help yourself and your child.
- Love and play with your child. Treat your son or daughter as you would a child without disabilities. Take your child places, read together, have fun.
- Encourage your child to be independent. For example, help your son or daughter learn self-care skills such as getting dressed, grooming, and doing laundry.
- Give your child chores. Keep in mind his or her age, mental capacity, attention span, and abilities. Divide tasks into small steps. Explain what your child is supposed to do, step by step, until the chore is done. Demonstrate. Offer help when it’s needed and praise when things go well.
- Work with the professionals who are working with your child. Participate in team meetings where your child’s education or program is being planned, share your unique knowledge of who your son or daughter is, advocate that the program address your child’s needs.
- Find out what your child is learning at school. Look for ways to apply it at home. For example, if the teacher is reviewing concepts of money, take your child to the supermarket with you to help keep track of what money you’re spending.
- Look for social opportunities in the community (such as Scouts) or activities offered through the department of sports and leisure. Joining in and taking part will help your child develop social skills and have fun.
- Talk with other parents whose children have Down syndrome. They can be a fountain of practical advice and emotional support. Visit the websites of the organizations listed below to see if they have a parent group nearby.
- Be patient, be hopeful. Your child, like every child, has a whole lifetime to learn and grow.
- Take pleasure in your beautiful one. He—she—is a treasure. Learn from your child, too. Those with Down syndrome have a special light within—let it shine.
