An Introduction to Teaching Students with Down Syndrome, Primary

Course Description

This seminar is an overview of Down Syndrome. The content covers a wide range of topics relevant to teaching and learning and to the development of the child with Down Syndrome in a mainstream classroom

Anticipated Outcomes

• To give information about Down Syndrome and the implication on the pupil 
• To gain an understanding of Language and Communication for pupils with Down Syndrome
• To provide teaching and learning strategies 
• To discuss gross motor development, behaviour and social skills and resources for teaching pupils with Down Syndrome

Course Outline and Content

• The nature of Down Syndrome; characteristics, aetiology and co-occurring needs
• The learning profile of pupils with DS; strengths, needs and effective teaching strategies for self-help, scaffolding and task analysis
• Language and communication for pupils with DS; language acquisition and development, strengths, needs and strategies to aid the development and practice of language
• Learning and teaching strategies; exploration of strategies for accessing the curriculum for the teaching and learning of reading, writing and mathematical skills
• Gross motor development; characteristics and strategies 
• Behaviour and social skills; an overview of behaviour interventions and the hierarchy of social skills
• Resources; websites, books, visuals and video demonstrations

Information for Applicants

The course is open to

• Mainstream primary classroom teachers, Special Education Teachers who work with pupils with Down Syndrome.
• Participants will require permission from the Board of Management to attend. Typically, substitution for this seminar will only be allowed to classroom teachers with primary responsibility for students with a special educational need and if it is deemed absolutely essential by the Principal
• Typically substitution will only be allocated to non - substitute teachers
• Payment is not available to teachers in a substitute capacity

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.