Resources for Students with Down syndrome and Educators

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

www.whatcomtakingaction.org

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

EducatorPackage-English-2015

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

iep-toolkit1

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:

http://www.dseusa.org/en-us/

“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

http://www.childrenshospital.org/centers-and-services/programs/a-_-e/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.

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

www.do2learn.com

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

https://rubysrainbow.org/

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!