a course of how to deal with a person with down syndrome

by Moses Grant 4 min read

  • Assume competence. Give people a chance to show how capable they are.
  • Always speak directly with the person with Down syndrome, not the person with them. Give them time to respond. Take their lead on what support they need to communicate.
  • Know that every person with Down syndrome is unique, with their individual personality, strengths and support needs. Find out what support they need.

Full Answer

What can we do to help people with Down syndrome?

When working with a person who has Down syndrome, observations should include noticing if the patient is irritable, unresponsive to contact, abnormal eye contact during feeding, gross motor problems, decreased alertness to voice cues, or difficulties with activities of daily living. If any of these areas show change, the nurse should be alerted.

What can be done for a person with Down syndrome?

Oct 15, 2013 · For some children, sensory-seeking behaviors are their way of calming down and relieving stress, so allowing access to self-stim as needed can help children regulate their stress and emotion. For example, a child may be offered access to their iPad when upset, if music input helps them self soothe.

What are the treatment options for Down syndrome?

These five strategies tend to work well for individuals with Down syndrome. 1. Routine. Routine and structure are important for any child, but this is especially true for children with Down syndrome (DS). Individuals with DS often have trouble receiving and remembering verbal direction and remembering verbal directions if they are too complicated.

How can an individual get Down syndrome?

with Down syndrome, but clinical management has not been determined.33,34 In2001,thegeneral populationmedianageof menopausewas51.2years,whereasthemedianageforwomen with Down syndrome ranged from 44.7 to 47.1.19,34,35 In women ages 13 to 27, there is no difference between the per-centage with Down syndrome who are ovulating (76%) and

How do you deal with someone with Down syndrome?

Don't
  1. do not talk down to people with Down's syndrome – treat them like anyone their age.
  2. do not just talk to parents or carers, talk directly to people with Down's syndrome.
  3. do not use outdated and offensive language when talking to people with Down's syndrome – see the Down's Syndrome Association language guide.

How do you deal with Down syndrome tantrums?

5 Strategies for Dealing with Behavior Issues in Children with Down Syndrome
  1. Routine. Routine and structure are important for any child, but this is especially true for children with Down syndrome (DS). ...
  2. Reward. ...
  3. Choice. ...
  4. Redirection. ...
  5. Consistency.
Apr 27, 2018

How do you motivate a child with Down syndrome?

How to Motivate a Child with Down Syndrome
  1. Learn about DS. The more you know, the more you can help both you and your child.
  2. Love and play with your child. Treat him or her as you would treat a child without disabilities. Take your child places, read together, have fun together.
Sep 18, 2013

How do you teach a child with Down syndrome to talk?

The study found that asking the child to repeat words and prompting them say words were the most effective strategies. [13] A number of studies have shown that repeating words, encouraging imitation, and using visual supports (pictures, written words) can help children with Down syndrome to learn words and sentences.

Why is it so confusing for kids with DS?

Children with DS are no different in this regard, but it can be confusing because things that they find pleasurable and seek out may be things we find boring or annoying, such as teeth grinding or sock dangling. Things that we find ordinary, they may process as aversive, such as the noise of a lunchroom.

Can a child with DS communicate?

However, children with DS may not be able to effectively communicate their distress, nor make the connection between the negative stimuli and their distress. “I have a stomach ache, please leave me alone” would explain a lot, but an irritable mood and annoyingly noncompliant behavior does not.

Why is self-stim important?

Self-stim behaviors may also be helpful in keeping children well regulated and focused, so allowing access to sensory input on a regular basis may allow them to be more focused or help maintain an even keel (some times referred to as a “sensory diet”).

1. Routine

Routine and structure are important for any child, but this is especially true for children with Down syndrome (DS). Individuals with DS often have trouble receiving and remembering verbal direction and remembering verbal directions if they are too complicated.

2. Reward

Positively reinforcing good behavior is a powerful motivation for children, and especially for children with DS. Rewards can take many forms. One form is promising something in order to persuade a child to perform a certain behavior you would like them to perform. This reward can take the form of a treat or an activity that the child likes.

3. Choice

Whenever possible, give your child a choice. This will help them feel empowered and it will also minimize negative behavior triggers. By allowing the child to choose between items you have already approved, you won’t have to force choices upon them. These can be simple choices, like what cereal to eat for breakfast or what shirt to wear to school.

4. Redirection

Children with DS can easily slip into the habit of sensory seeking. Sensory input are messages we receive from our five senses, and can be used by children to sooth themselves in times of stress or to act out when they are feeling frustrated or unhappy.

5. Consistency

Consistency is important for behavior modification. Children naturally test boundaries and make unconscious notes of how their behavior is dealt with and how that made them feel. It sounds simple to be consistent, and it seems simple to follow a plan of encouraging good behaviors and discouraging bad, but Dr.

Wait: What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is one of the most common causes of genetic intellectual disability in the world.

Will taking pre-natal vitamins prevent Down syndrome? What about alcohol consumption or exercising?

Down syndrome equally affects people of all races, countries, and educational and economic backgrounds.

That was interesting information, but it will not help me to converse with a person with Down syndrome?

Agreed. The single most important thing to remember when speaking with someone with Down syndrome is that fundamentally we are all much more similar than we are different.

How can I be supportive of a person with Down syndrome?

Keeping in mind that each person is unique, here are some suggestions:

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How to teach reading to students with Down syndrome?

First, always speak directly to the student, using clear, receptive language and short sentences. Place a strong emphasis on visual learning when teaching reading to students with Down syndrome. Think visual demonstrations, pictures, and illustrations. Include additional images in handouts when you can.

What are the physical characteristics of Down syndrome?

Some common physical features in individuals with Down syndrome include: A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose. Almond-shaped eyes that slant up.

Can children with Down syndrome benefit from learning?

This shows you that children with Down syndrome can benefit from a rich learning experience when given the opportunity. This kind of learning accommodation requires a tailored curriculum that factors in children with Down syndrome. And this is where Positive Action’s curriculum comes into play.

How many chromosomes are in a baby with Down syndrome?

Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes, but children with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. The medical term for this phenomenon is ‘trisomy’; thus, Down syndrome is also referred to as trisomy 21. This extra copy affects the baby’s physical and mental development.

What is the medical term for Down syndrome?

The medical term for this phenomenon is ‘trisomy’; thus, Down syndrome is also referred to as trisomy 21. This extra copy affects the baby’s physical and mental development. Although children with Down syndrome might share some similarities in appearance and behavior, each child has different abilities.

How much do students with Down syndrome know?

When students with Down syndrome know 50-70% of the words on a page, it frees them up to focus on the more challenging terms they come across. Students with Down syndrome generally have good social skills. So encourage them to organize tasks with other students who can act as appropriate role models.

Why don't you use mild or severe?

Don’t use the terms “mild” or “severe” because one is either a child with Down syndrome or not. Yes, there are varying degrees of abilities, but using “mild” or “severe” can insult parents or other families who overhear. We know that adopting these habits takes some adjusting.

How to speak to a student with Down syndrome?

When speaking to a student with Down syndrome, it is important to speak directly to them using clear language and short sentences.

Can children with Down syndrome learn?

Children with Down syndrome can learn. However, we need to make compromises so that their educational needs can be met in the classroom. Since they are visual learners, teaching reading to students with Down syndrome should be characterized by a strong emphasis on visual learning.

What is a child with Down syndrome?

Children with Down syndrome are capable learners who are excited and eager to learn. They just need to be given the opportunity to excel. They may learn at a slower pace, but are more than capable of learning. They are strong visual learners. This means that they understand what they see better than what they hear. 1.

What is the difference between Down syndrome and visual learners?

This means that they understand what they see better than what they hear. Children with Down syndrome have specific points associated with their learning development: 1. They are visual learners. 2.

What should be included in the curriculum for the learner with Down syndrome?

Lessons in phonics should be included in the curriculum for the learner with Down syndrome. The use of manipulatives can be beneficial in the development of number concepts. The use of physical demonstrations and activities are important when teaching math concepts.

What is visual learning for Down syndrome?

Since they are visual learners, teaching reading to students with Down syndrome should be characterized by a strong emphasis on visual learning. Visual demonstrations, pictures and illustrations can also be successfully used to assist in providing effective instruction in other subject areas of the curriculum.

Do children with Down syndrome learn?

Children with Down syndrome usually learn and progress more slowly than most other children. However, not all areas of development are equally affected. There is a specific pattern of cognitive and behavioral features that are observed among children with Down syndrome that differs from that seen in typically developing children ...

Do Down syndrome children have good social skills?

Most children and adults with Down syndrome continue to develop good social skills and appropriate social behavior, though a significant minority may develop difficult behaviors, particularly those with the greatest delays in speech and language development.

Does Down syndrome affect learning?

People with Down syndrome also experience learning difficulties that lead to delays in many areas of development. However, not all areas of development are affected equally - there are particular patterns of learning difficulties.

Can Down syndrome cause delays?

People with Down syndrome also experience learning difficulties that lead to delays in many areas of development. However, not all areas of development are affected equally - there are particular patterns of learning difficulties. These patterns can inform more effective teaching approaches and therapies. Children with Down syndrome usually learn ...

How does Down syndrome affect social development?

Social development. The social functioning of babies and children with Down syndrome is relatively less delayed than other areas of development. Babies with Down syndrome look at faces and smile only a week or two later than other children and they are usually sociable infants. Infants with Down syndrome enjoy communicating and make good use ...

How do babies with Down syndrome look?

Babies with Down syndrome look at faces and smile only a week or two later than other children and they are usually sociable infants. Infants with Down syndrome enjoy communicating and make good use of non-verbal skills including babbling and gesture in social situations. Most children and adults with Down syndrome continue to develop good social ...

Can Down syndrome children read?

Many children with Down syndrome can develop reading abilities in advance of what might be expected for their cognitive and language levels. Reading makes an important contribution to vocabulary and language development for all children and this may be a particular benefit for children with Down syndrome, given their specific language delays.

Do children with Down syndrome learn?

Children with Down syndrome usually learn and progress more slowly than most other children. However, not all areas of development are equally affected. There is a specific pattern of cognitive and behavioural features that are observed among children with Down syndrome that differs from that seen in typically developing children ...

Do Down syndrome children have good social skills?

Most children and adults with Down syndrome continue to develop good social skills and appropriate social behaviour, though a significant minority may develop difficult behaviours, particularly those with the greatest delays in speech and language development.

Does Down syndrome affect learning?

People with Down syndrome also experience learning difficulties that lead to delays in many areas of development. However, not all areas of development are affected equally - there are particular patterns of learning difficulties.

Can Down syndrome cause delays in learning?

People with Down syndrome also experience learning difficulties that lead to delays in many areas of development. However, not all areas of development are affected equally - there are particular patterns of learning difficulties. These patterns can inform more effective teaching approaches and therapies.

How does Down syndrome affect social development?

Social development. The social functioning of babies and children with Down syndrome is relatively less delayed than other areas of development. Babies with Down syndrome look at faces and smile only a week or two later than other children and they are usually sociable infants. Infants with Down syndrome enjoy communicating and make good use ...

How do babies with Down syndrome look?

Babies with Down syndrome look at faces and smile only a week or two later than other children and they are usually sociable infants. Infants with Down syndrome enjoy communicating and make good use of non-verbal skills including babbling and gesture in social situations. Most children and adults with Down syndrome continue to develop good social ...

Can Down syndrome children read?

Many children with Down syndrome can develop reading abilities in advance of what might be expected for their cognitive and language levels. Reading makes an important contribution to vocabulary and language development for all children and this may be a particular benefit for children with Down syndrome, given their specific language delays.

How to help students with Down syndrome?

In order to help students with Down syndrome succeed in the classroom, teachers need to have the right skills and proper teaching resources to achieve positive results.

Can Down syndrome be a behavior?

There should be no behavior set for children with Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome tend to get frustrated by their inability to express themselves. Because of this, it is not unusual for children with Down syndrome to express themselves through behaviors – sometimes undesirable ones.

How to teach reading to children with Down syndrome?

The following strategies can help you teach reading to learners with Down syndrome: 1 Capitalizing on the child’s visual-spatial learning style with the help of multimedia teaching resources 2 Keeping instructions well-structured and predictable 3 Incremental teaching, with each lesson building upon what was learned in the previous lesson 4 Breaking reading tasks into manageable pieces with multiple breaks in between 5 Aiding instructions with game-based plays

What are the characteristics of Down syndrome?

Children with Down syndrome have very distinct characteristics. They are generally small-bodied, with a flat face and a tongue that protrudes out. They also suffer from learning challenges and most are classified as either mildly or moderately disabled.

What does the extra chromosome mean for Down syndrome?

The single extra chromosome defines whether a child is going to have a genetic disorder; however, it does not have to define what the child is capable of achieving. While children with Down syndrome often have some form of learning disability, this can often mask a range of talents and abilities. As already indicated, children with Down syndrome ...

Can Down syndrome be reached at the same pace?

As already indicated, children with Down syndrome usually develop at a slower pace than their peers. Just because they may not be able to meet an educational milestone at the same pace as other children does not mean they can never reach it at all.

Can Down syndrome children reach milestones?

Just because they may not be able to meet an educational milestone at the same pace as other children does not mean they can never reach it at all. As with other learners, there is a wide range of abilities among children with Down syndrome.

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