Programming for Down Syndrome

Many children with Down Syndrome are educated alongside their peers. Although they are, more often than not, at a lower level of understanding, children with Down Syndrome still have the capacity to learn what their peers are learning but at a slower pace or later on in their education.

A website from the United Kingdom advises us of ways in which parents can help their child living with Down Syndrome to learn and develop. This includes using play for education by showing them how to use their toys, for instance learning to grab and shake a rattle for it to make noise. Parents can help develop vocabulary by naming the things that surround the child or are of interest to thee child. Games can be played to help with vocabulary and word recognition, often this is suggested by a speech and language therapist, so that children pick up words easier. Above all, it is important for parents to foster independence and allow their child with Down Syndrome to play with other children. By allowing children to interact with peers helps the child to develop social skills and begin to develop an understanding of courtesies when interacting with others. When independence is fostered, such as allowing their child to find their own clothing for the day, their child can develop an appreciation for making their own decisions instead of always being told what to and what not to do.

The programming available to children with Down Syndrome focuses on skill development and social behaviours - typically involving help from the parents. These programs may run in schools alongside the child's regular education but can also be run by outside programming such as the Saskatchewan Down Syndrome Society (SDSS). The SDSS website is FULL of amazing resources, ideas, FAQs, and more and I urge you to check it out. There are even local programs in Saskatoon for children with Down Syndrome. These programs include improving early-learning skills, discovering potential, and more!

For children who are unfamiliar with Down Syndrome, there are also resources available anywhere from non-fiction to children's literature. These books would be helpful for people to use with their children who may not understand the disabilities some of their classmates have and help them to better interact with students with Down Syndrome or other disabilities. A book about friendship with a peer who has Down Syndrome is by Eliza Woloson.


As children with Down Syndrome become adults, the programming available to them changes with them. Programs to help them with work placement, building skills around a career, sexual health and relationships, become available to young adults with Down Syndrome so that their transition into society from a school environment is less difficult.

Other great resources on this topic:

• http://downsyndromeinfo.org/resources/parents/
• http://www.cdss.ca
• http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2013/03/20/42-top-down-syndrome-resources-you-should-know-about/