Down Syndrome

Index

• What is Down Syndrome?
• Characteristics
• Learning style
• High expectations and lear limits
• Classroom strategies

Before we begin, please watch the following video:
https://youtu.be/YOwDfnoek6E

Definition

• It is a genetic alteration caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the pair 21
• 1 in every 700 babies are born with it
• Down Syndrome is the most common intelectual disability of genetic origin in the world

Causes

• It is not related to nationality, race, religion or life style
• However, the probability of having a child with Down Syndrome increases in mothers age 35 and older
• There is no scientific evidence that Down Syndrome is caused by environmental factors before and during the pregnancy

Down Syndrome is a group of cognitive and physical symptoms result of having an extra chromosome in the pair 21.

Types of Down Syndrome

Characteristics

• The two main traits of Down Syndrome are:
• Low muscle tone
• Intelectual Disability

Other physical signs

• Low stature
• Short neck
• Tendency to be overweight
• Eyes that slant upward
• Flat facial features
• Bulging tongue

Other physical signs

• Congenital heart defects
• Narrowed airways
• Oddly shaped ears.

Personality

• They are usually sociable, affectionate, and show less inhibitions
• They enjoy helping around, acquiring a sense of responsibility
• They tend to present persistent behaviors and dislike change

Motor skills

• Their motor skills development (both gross and fine) tends to be slower than their peers'
• They present low muscular tone
• Their movements are slow and clumsy.

Perception

• They tend to present perceptual problems, and in general their visual skills are better than their auditory skills.

Language

• Difficulty to respond verbally, so they tend to rely on motor answers, such as signs and gestures
• Their comprehensive abilities are more developed than their expressive ones

How do they learn?

Attention

• They usually show difficulty to sustain attention for long periods.
• They are distracted easily by the presence of most stimuli

Intelligence and memory

• They present low to moderate intellectual disability
• They have difficulty generalizing what they learn.
• They require more time to learn and to respond to certain stimuli.
• They have difficulty to understand and attend several instructions at once.

Intelligence and memory

• They present difficulty to process, codify and interpret the information from the environment
• Their visual memory is better than their hearing memory

So,
How can I support them in the classroom?

Promote socialization with their peers

Classroom rules apply to ALL your students

Avoid "helping" them

Keep high expectations towards their achievements

If they are provided with appropriate support, they can learn to read, complete their education, have a job and live autonomously
We must develop their maximum potential!

Sit them close to you and use visual aids

Use brief instructions and one at a time

Look after their posture while sitting and writing

Help them express their needs and avoid guessing what they are thinking

Keep your questions simple, and provide them with enough time to answer

We wish you a successful year!