The Down’s Syndrome Association offers a wide range of services and training for teachers who work with children with Down’s Syndrome. Their resources are wonderfully tailored to help you meet the specific needs of the individual students, not just help you support them with broad stroke approaches. Their full program is detailed below and is highly recommended to staff working within SEN.

The Down’s Syndrome Association Training Opportunities 2014/15

Supporting Early Development (Birth to 5 years)

Workshop with information on how to support infant development through interaction and play, with a focus on meeting individual needs. Sessions include how to support communication, language and speech, social development and cognition and how to teach reading and number skills. Download full details | Download booking form

Friday 26 September 2014: 9am – 4pm | Teddington

Supporting social development and behaviour (2-11 years)

Study day outlining how to support social development and positive behaviour from early childhood to the end of primary school. Practical advice on how to support friendships, play and social skills and how to support positive behaviour using learning strengths, associated with having Down’s syndrome, to overcome challenges. Download full details | Download booking form

Monday 20 October 2014: 9am – 4pm – Sheffield | Thursday 12 February 2015: 9am – 4pm – Teddington

Support & practice in early years and primary education (4 to 11 years)

Study day on how to support learning and development in the early and primary years. Includes advice and practical strategies for supporting learning which draws on the specific learning strengths associated with having Down’s syndrome but emphasises individual differences. Download full details | Download booking form

Friday 10 October 2014: 9am – 4pm | Friday 20th March 2015: 9am – 4pm | Teddington

Support & practice for young people in secondary education (11 to 16 years)

Workshop on how to support learning and development in the secondary years. There will be a focus on the learning strengths that are specific to young people with Down’s syndrome with an emphasis on individual differences, as well as advice and practical strategies to support learning. Sessions include: understanding the learning profile and accessing the curriculum, language and communication skills, literacy and numeracy, and supporting social development and behaviour. Download full details | Download booking form

Friday 21 November 2014: 9am – 4pm | Teddington

Supporting social development & behaviour (11 to 18 years)

Study day outlining how to support social development and positive behaviour through teenage years. Delegates will receive practical advice on how to support friendships and social skills and how to support positive behaviour using learning strengths, associated with having Down’s syndrome, to overcome challenges at school and at home. Download full details | Download booking form

Thursday 26 February 2015: 9am – 4pm | Teddington

More information can be found by visiting the DSA website.