In the Media – Page 11 – 321Foundation

Developing clear speech is a particular challenge

From Down Syndrome Education International

Most people with Down syndrome find it difficult to speak clearly enough to always be understood by everyone around them. These communication difficulties can present obstacles to learning, friendships, employment and independence. Research has begun to explore the nature of these speech difficulties and to inform therapies. More research is need to explore effective interventions.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 20, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Ten Things You Must Know About ABLE Accounts

Advocacy, In the Media

From National Disability Institute

On Dec. 16, 2014, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 by a vote of 76 to 16. In recognition of this unprecedented legislation, NDI has created a list of 10 items about ABLE accounts that individuals with disabilities and their families should know.

View the full NDI press release that includes the list of Ten Things You Must Know About ABLE Accounts at: http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/News.aspx?id=460

Watch Now at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv8kIdAovOQ

December 18, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Learning Program Boston Lead Teacher Receives 2013 Educator of the Year Award

Education, In the Media

From Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC):

Maureen Blazejewski has spent an entire career working in the field of special needs, including over the last four years as Lead Special Educator for the Learning Program, Boston, an early literacy and numeracy program for children with Down syndrome serving the Greater Boston area. According to the four people who nominated her for this year’s Educator of the Year Award, Maureen is “a problem solver” and the go-to person at the Learning Program, leading brain-storming sessions and developing customized lesson plans for students who need them. On her own initiative, she offers herself as an independent resource to families, providing advice on issues related to placement or programming. She acts not just as a child’s teacher, but as a true advocate, providing holistic support to the entire family. Those who nominated her noted that Maureen always went above and beyond the call of duty and often did it on her own time.” Watch Maureen receive the MDSC 2013 Educator of the Year Award.

https://www.facebook.com/massdscongress/posts/10151725060753200

December 15, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Social strengths offer advantages, but not always

Cognition, Education, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Educational research has identified relative strengths in early social development among children with Down syndrome. These can be advantageous for learning. However, they can also be used to avoid difficult tasks.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 13, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Inclusive education can provide better language and academic outcomes

Advocacy, Education, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

In some countries, children with Down syndrome are educated in mainstream, or regular, classrooms alongside their non-disabled peers. Educational research suggests that there are distinct advantages to inclusive education.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 6, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Not a global delay, but a profile of strengths and weaknesses

Cognition, Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Children with Down syndrome do not experience global delay: research has found that different aspects of their development are affected differently by the condition. However, does this mean these outcomes are fixed?

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

November 29, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Learning to talk is a particular challenge

Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Learning to talk is a particular challenge for children with Down syndrome – more so than many other areas of development. Difficulties communicating present obstacles in daily life and can be a major source of frustration. Educational research is exploring these difficulties and ways to help.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

November 22, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Reading can be a strength and support learning and language

Cognition, Education, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Educational research has found that reading can be a relative strength for children with Down syndrome. Reading opens up new opportunities for learning and language development.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

November 15, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Verbal short term memory presents particular difficulties

Cognition, Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Educational research has found that the verbal short term memory of children and adults with Down syndrome is more impaired than visual spatial memory. A consequence is that processing auditory information can be more difficult than processing visual information. In other words, learning from listening is a challenge.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

November 8, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Signing improves early vocabulary learning and communication

Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Educational research suggests that signs can help young children with Down syndrome to learn new words and to communicate more. This knowledge helps parents and therapists to support the children’s early language development.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

November 1, 2014/0 Comments/by Other