Special Education Needs

Types of Special Need -

TEACHING PUPILS WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME

General

• 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.

• 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.

• Encourage good behaviour with visual reinforcement and reward.

• Don't confront bad behaviour; try to distract or ignore child; try 'time-out'

• In post-primary school a home-school book is useful to ensure parents and teachers are working together.

• Use colour coding, diagrams etc. to help pupil get to know timetable.

• Encourage pupil to have lists of equipment for different days. - classroom assistant might help with this.

• Make the child aware when he/she has to listen, e.g. point to your ears.

• Allow lots of opportunities for practice when learning a new skill and try to use it in many different settings.

Reading

• Use a look, say method when teaching reading.  Initially teach words which can have a visual meaning.

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."

• Build up sentences from every day conversation.  Make reading books personal to child.

• Make sure any published reading books used are within the level of the child's understanding.

• When teaching children with Down's reduce distractions and keep activities short

Writing

• Teach letters using Letterland so that child can picture visually what the letter looks like.

• Use picture word banks and story boards to help jog memory visually.

Develop memory skills by.

• Playing games which encourage children to follow instructions without visual clues.  Play Kim's game, Pairs etc.

• Make use of pictures and diagrams where possible when assessing comprehension.

Further Information 

http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/press-releases/supporting-children

Acknowledgements & Copyright