There are many educational resources available online. As all children have different learning styles you may find some information to be more applicable than others to your student with Down syndrome. Here are some of the favorite resources suggested by families involved with DsO.
Whatcom Taking Action: School Advocacy Resources
School Advocacy Resources (English) School Advocacy Resources (Spanish)
Terms to Know: School Glossary (English) Terms to Know: School Glossary (Spanish)
School Services Under 5 (English) School Services Under 5 (Spanish)
School Services Over 5 (English) School Services Over 5 (Spanish)
Down syndrome Association of West Michigan
Educator Manual: Supporting the Student with Down syndrome in Your Classroom
Supporting the Student with Down Syndrome in Your Classroom-Teacher Manual
Canadian Down syndrome Society
Educator Package: A guide to inclusive education for students with Down syndrome
Down syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City
The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City offers resources for parents and educational professionals to better serve children with Down syndrome. They offer a variety of publications and trainings to assist educators. You can read issues of DSG’s Inclusion Solutions Newsletter which is chock full of tips and tools for educators who are doing amazing things with students who have Down syndrome.
For Parents:
https://www.kcdsg.org/education.php
You can find information on: homework tips, inclusion, communication, apps & technology and more.
For Educators:
https://www.kcdsg.org/educators.php
Topics range from: speech and language, reading & writing, math, behavior support, learning profile & memory, inclusion, transition, and provide curriculum support, modifications & accommodations.
IEP TOOLKIT:
https://www.kcdsg.org/files/content/iep-toolkit1.pdf
THE IEP TOOLKIT: Helping Families of Children with Down Syndrome Become Knowledgeable, Prepared, and Empowered Partners in the IEP Process, by Gretchen H. Carroll, M.A.
Down syndrome Education USA:
“A leading non-profit dedicated to improving education for children with Down syndrome” who works to improve educational outcomes for children with Ds. They have up-to-date information, research, and tools used at home or in the classroom. They also hold regular webinars on various areas of focus for your student/child.
Down syndrome Education Online
https://www.down-syndrome.org/information/education/default.aspx
“Down Syndrome Education USA is a US-based charity that transforms the lives of young people with Down syndrome by improving understanding of their particular learning needs and by helping families and professionals to provide effective support, early intervention and education.”
There website has is information on learning style preferences in all areas of study, aimed both to teachers and parents.
Down Syndrome Program Allen C Crocker Speaker Series
The Allen C. Crocker Speaker Series is designed to provide quality information from experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome. The talks are presented monthly at Boston Children’s Hospital and are open to the public. You can also find past speaker recordings by topic.
- Education and Down syndrome: Translating Findings into Practice
- Postsecondary Education, Employment and National Service
National Down syndrome Society (NDSS)
www.ndss.org/Resources/Education/
This section of their website includes information about inclusion, elementary and secondary schooling, and college and post-secondary options for students with Down syndrome.
www.ndss.org/Resources/Publications/Printed-Materials/Get-To-Know-Me-Poster–Lesson-Plan-Series/
Designed to promote inclusion, this resource includes a poster, a lesson plan for grades K-2 and 3-5 and a fact sheet about Down syndrome for students.
Do 2 Learn
Do 2 Learn provides thousands of free pages with social skills and behavioral regulation activities and guidance, learning songs and games, communication cards, academic material, and transition guides for employment and life skills.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/resources/
The Center for Parent Information and Resources was developed by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Choose and topic and find a list of resources on that subject (available in English and Spanish). They have resources ranging from K – 12 support, early intervention/early childhood, IEP information and much more.
Ruby’s Rainbow
Ruby’s Rainbow grants scholarships to adults with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, enrichment or vocational classes and they hope inspire others to go for their dreams!
