| Special
Education Needs |
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TEACHING STRATEGIES TO HELP WITH
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS -
TEACHING PUPILS WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME
General
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Make sure work
level is appropriate as children with Down’s get frustrated more easily if
work is too hard; they can also get upset if work is too different from others
in the class as they dislike being singled out.
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Make sure the
child knows and understands the rules; he/she should be treated no different
from peers if deliberately disobeying. – all staff should be aware of need for
consistency.
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Encourage good
behaviour with visual reinforcement and reward.
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Don’t confront
bad behaviour; try to distract or ignore child; try ‘time-out’
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In post-primary
school a home-school book is useful to ensure parents and teachers are working
together.
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Use colour
coding, diagrams etc. to help pupil get to know timetable.
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Encourage pupil
to have lists of equipment for different days. – classroom assistant might
help with this.
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Make the child
aware when he/she has to listen, e.g. point to your ears.
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Allow lots of
opportunities for practice when learning a new skill and try to use it in many
different settings.
Reading
e.g. use flash cards with family
photographs and names underneath, then use a second set with just names. Then
introduce high frequency words to make above into sentences. “Mummy and Daddy
with Alison.”
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Build up
sentences from every day conversation. Make reading books personal to child.
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Make sure any
published reading books used are within the level of the child’s
understanding.
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When teaching
children with Down’s reduce distractions and keep activities short
Writing
Develop memory
skills by.
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Playing games which encourage children
to follow instructions without visual clues. Play Kim’s game, Pairs etc.
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Make use of pictures and diagrams where
possible when assessing comprehension.
Further
Information
http://www.altonweb.com/cs/downsyndrome/
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/special_ed/disabilities/down/
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