By the end of this presentation, the goal is to gain a basic understanding of Down Syndrome through:› What Downs Syndrome Is› Possible Causes of Downs› How to Identify It› Some Teaching Strategies› A Few Interesting Statistics› Family/Community Resources

Look at this picture of a young student. What do you notice about her? What is it that is “different”? Why do you think that is? How would you approach

teaching her? Keep this in mind moving forward.

A chromosomal disorder in which the pairing of

chromosome 21 has either an extra partial or full

chromosome attached to it, making it no longer 23 pairs.

This causes mental and physical impairments.

Although the cause of Downs is still relatively unknown, a couple of things are believed

to contribute to it.Getting pregnant after age 35Genetics (although rare)Having 1 child with Downs already

This image shows the abnormal pairing of

chromosome 21.

Short stature Round face Almond-shaped eyes Upward slanting eyes Decreased muscle tone Short neck w/ extra skin

on back of neck Brushfield spots Wide short hands w/

short fingers Deep groove between

first and second toe Single, deep crease

along palm of hand

Short attention span Poor judgment Impulsive behavior Slow learning Delayed language

development Delayed speech

development

The teachers consult with the special education teacher and generally have an aide in the classroom with them.

The students were involved in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy for “treatment”.

In the classrooms computer and technology are a key tool used. Peer tutors and group teaching proved to be effective. Individual instruction is much more effective than large group. Most effective place of instruction is the student's desk area. The best education materials are hands-on & "real-life"

scenarios. Praise is the best behavior management tool/ motivator. Keeping the educators educated about Downs is the MOST

important strategy of all!

There are three types of Downs: Nondisjunction (95%), Translocation (4%), Mosaicism (1%).

Downs Syndrome occurs in 1 of every 8 infants; roughly 6,000 children born with downs each year.

Life expectancy has dramatically increased from 25 years of age, to 60 years of age.

About 85% of infants diagnosed with Down Syndrome will survive one year, and only 50% of those will live for 50+ years.

Angels Forever Up (Waldorf, MD)240-412-1922

www.angelsforeverup.org

Down Syndrome Connection: AACO(Arnold, MD)

888-279-2279www.downsyndromeconnection.com

Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County

(Rockville, MD)301-979-1112

www.dsnmc.org

Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group, Inc.(Baltimore, MD)410-321-5434www.cdspg.org

Now that you are aware of what Down Syndrome is, consider the following:› How has your view of those with Down

Syndrome changed?› What did you learn?› How will you apply this to your life and/ or

your classroom?

American Pregnancy Association. (2014). Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21. Retrieved from American Pregnancy Assocication: http://americanpregnancy.org/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html

Global Down Syndrome Foundation. (2011). Facts and FAQ About Down Syndrome. Retrieved from Global Down Syndrome Foundation: http://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/facts-about-down-syndrome/#facts

National Down Syndrome Society. (2012). What Is Down Syndrome? Retrieved from National Down Syndrome Society: http://www.ndss.og/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/

National Institute of Health. (2012, November 30). What are the common symptoms of down sydrome? Retrieved from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/pages/symptoms.aspx

Wolpert, G. (2001). What general educators have to say about successfully including students with down syndrome in their classes. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 16(1), 28-38. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aacc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/203877315?accountid=40680