Study of reading and language intervention to start in US schools

Down Syndrome Education International researchers are starting a study of a new reading and language intervention for children with Down syndrome in schools in San Antonio, Texas. The project is supported by LLQ USA and the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas, and is being conducted in partnership with the San Antonio North East Independent School District.

The San Antonio study will explore what adaptations may make it easier to use the intervention in US schools and will assess the progress of children using the program. The study will be led by Dr Kelly Burgoyne, who led the recent UK trial of the reading and language program.

Frank Buckley, DSE's CEO, commented "We are thrilled to be able to test the effectiveness of the intervention in schools in the Texas. The intervention is based on established, evidence-based best practice for reading and language instruction - adapted to meet the specific learning needs of children with Down syndrome. We would therefore expect it to be effective in many different contexts. It is, however, important to confirm this, and to see what further improvements we can make to the teaching program to make it easier to implement and more beneficial. We are hugely grateful for the financial support received from LLQ - led by a committed group of families determined to improve outcomes for their children.

Source: DSE News, 4th August 2012