New online training course from Down Syndrome Education International: birth, early intervention and preschool years

Down Syndrome Education International (DSE) has launched a second online course, focused on development from birth and early intervention through the preschool years. The course looks at many aspects of early development, including play, cognition, speech, language, number and motor skills.

Presented and led by Professor Sue Buckley, the course includes 10 modules, each of which includes a video presentation, handouts and an assessment. The video presentations can be viewed, handouts downloaded and assessments completed at any time. In addition, course participants are invited to join an online discussion forum with DSE tutors for the opportunity to ask questions and seek additional advice.

The course offers convenient and cost-effective access to up-to-date information and practical guidance for early years professionals supporting children with Down syndrome aged from birth to 5 years, including health visitors, early years teachers and assistants, speech and language therapists, advisory teachers, educational psychologists and outreach/advice staff and volunteers at organisations supporting young people with Down syndrome. The course will also be valuable for the parents of children with Down syndrome seeking detailed advice, based on the latest research.

• Find out more here

The first DSE online training course was announced in July 2016:

• New online training course launched - Effective education for children with Down syndrome in school, Down Syndrome Education International, 22 July 2016

News from Down Syndrome Education International (2)

In addition to the releases and price reductions outlined in yesterday's post,  Down Syndrome Education International has conducted world leading research and produced highly regarded resources to support the development of people with Down syndrome of all ages for decades. They have recently released some of their popular films to rent or buy online on-demand via Vimeo. Links to trailers and information on access to each of the titles below:

• Speech and Language Activities for Preschool Children with Down Syndrome (2007)

• Activities for Babies with Down Syndrome 

• Educating Children with Down Syndrome at Primary School

News from Down Syndrome Education International (1)

Down Syndrome Education International has recently released lower prices for some See and Learn apps for iPad,  and free online introductions (video and print) for some of its popular, research based programs designed specifically to meet the learning needs of children with Down syndrome:

Find out more about Reading and Language Intervention in a free on-demand online presentation

In this presentation, Professor Sue Buckley introduces the Reading and Language Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome (RLI). RLI is an evidence-based program designed to teach reading and language skills to children with Down syndrome. The intervention incorporates best practice in structured activities delivered in fast-paced daily teaching sessions. It was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial and found to improve rates of progress compared to ordinary teaching.

Save up to 30% with new lower prices for See and Learn apps
Down Syndrome education International (DSE) has introduced new, lower prices for all our See and Learn iPad apps and app bundles – offering savings of between 20% and 30%.

Free online presentation: Introducing See and Learn Numbers

See and Learn Numbers is designed to teach young children to count, to link numbers to quantity, to understand important concepts about the number system and to calculate with numbers up to 10. It also teaches early mathematical concepts important for understanding space, time and measurement - including color, size, shape, ordering, sorting and patterns.

In this presentation, Professor Sue Buckley discusses what is understood about how children learn about numbers and number concepts and how Down Syndrome Education International's See and Learn Numbers program is designed to support number learning for children with Down syndrome.

• View presentation
• Download handouts
• Find out more about See and Learn Numbers

Free online presentation: Introducing See and Learn Language and Reading 
See and Learn Language and Reading is a structured teaching programme that is designed to teach children with Down syndrome to talk and to read. In this presentation, Professor Sue Buckley reviews what is understood about language development for children with Down syndrome and how this informs the design of See and Learn Language and Reading.

• View presentation
• Download handout

Free online presentation: Introducing See and Learn Speech
DSE’s See and Learn Speech program is designed to help parents and educators support children with Down syndrome to develop clearer speech. In this presentation, Professor Sue Buckley reviews what is understood about the speech and language difficulties experienced by children with Down syndrome, what research suggests may be effective ways to promote improved speech clarity and how this evidence has informed the design of See and Learn Speech.

• View presentation online
• Download handouts
• Find out more about See and Learn Speech

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Early Intervention survey - Dr Kathy Cologon, Macquarie University

Parents/caregivers of children in early childhood intervention services are invited to take part in a survey conducted by Dr Kathy Cologon, a well-known researcher in this field at Macquarie University:

Priorities and practices in early intervention: Parent perspectives

... The survey involves the completion of a questionnaire for parents/caregivers who have a child (or children) who participates in early childhood intervention services in Australia. This research is being conducted by Dr Kathy Cologon from the Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University (email: kathy.cologon@mq.edu.au or phone: 9850 9864). 

Early intervention services and supports are going through a period of considerable change in Australia at present. Through exploring the views and experiences of families and staff who participate in early intervention, this study will contribute evidence that is important for developing policy and practice in early intervention ...

The questionnaire incorporates 14 open-ended questions, followed by questions that need to be rated on a scale from 1-5 (these questions relate to your experiences of and your priorities for early intervention support). The final section asks for some brief demographic information and provides the opportunity for you to make any additional comments/suggestions if you wish.

The survey should take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. You are free to skip any questions that you do not wish to answer ...

• Link to the survey 

NDIS approach to early intervention published

There’s been a lot of talk about early intervention and the NDIS.  Today we’re releasing our Early Childhood Early Intervention approach, designed to ensure every child and their family receives individual support to meet their goals and aspirations ... NDIS on Facebook, 26 Feb 2016

NDIA announce first nationally-consistent approach to early childhood early-interventionNational Disabiity Insurance Scheme, 26 February 2016

For the first time, a nationally-consistent approach to supporting children with developmental delay or disability will exist with the release today of the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Approach.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has worked with some of Australia’s leading early childhood intervention practitioners and researchers to design a best-practice approach that is family-centred and importantly, supports children to achieve good outcomes on a case-by-case basis.

NDIA Chief Executive Officer, David Bowen said early intervention was an important part of the NDIS.

"Evidence shows that timely support for a child with developmental delay before the age of six can significantly change that child’s developmental trajectory and overall quality of life," Mr Bowen said.

"The NDIS Early Intervention Early Childhood Approach is focused on inclusion, with children supported in a range of mainstream early childhood settings such as preschool and play group, meaning increased opportunities to learn and develop positive social relationships.

"The short, medium and long-term benefits to children from such support are proven to be significant. Effective early intervention also reduces the medium to long-term liability on the NDIS."

Under the ECEI approach, a child and their family will be referred to a specialist early childhood access partner who will discuss their needs and determine the appropriate supports to help them achieve their individual goals. Supports may include information services, emotional support or referral to mainstream services, or longer-term more intensive supports as part of a funded NDIS plan.

Mr Bowen said the ECEI approach was in line with the individual nature of the Scheme.

"The whole premise behind the NDIS is that each person is treated as an individual, receiving support to meet their unique set of needs, wants and goals to achieve the best outcome for them," Mr Bowen said.

"Exactly what that will look like for each child and their family will vary. The level and nature of supports is tailored to meet the individual needs of the child and their family, regardless of diagnosis.

The ECEI approach is currently being trialled in the Nepean Blue Mountains region. It will be rolled out nationally, in line with the arrangements in the bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments.

For more information on the NDIS ECEI approach go to www.ndis.gov.au

• Download the Early Childhood Early Intervention approach (PDF, 550KB)

Infantile Spasms: US awareness week resources

Full-screen version of this poster

Infantile Spasms (also known as West Syndrome) is a type of epilepsy that occurs a little more
often in babies with Down syndrome than in other children.

Last week was IS Awareness Week 2015 in the US, and new and updated resources were circulated. They are still available online, and might be of use to families.

The Awareness Week website is here, and a Facebook page will be active for a time yet.

• Previous posts about Infantile Spasms/West Syndrome and children with Down syndrome

Better Start Early Days: webinar dates December 2015 - february 2016

A program of webinars (online seminars or workshops) is a new initiative from the Better Start for Children with a Disability program:

... These interactive webinars have been developed to support parents of young children with disability navigate to the disability services environment. 

Participating in these webinars will help you to learn about and share information, tools, strategies and resources to help you in the early years of your child’s life. They will provide information about the Government’s Better Start Initiative and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how these can be used to benefit your child. 

Each webinar is 60 minutes long with materials available for pre-webinar reading and activities. Facilitators and guest speakers can be available for extended “chat” time after the webinar ...

Details on how to register and participate, and dates between 8th December 2015 and 16th February 2016 are now available at the Better Start website, here. Webinars will be repeated in 2016.

This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. It is run by the First Step Alliance, which includes some Australia's most respected national disability organisations, including Down Syndrome Australia.

New disability program to address service gaps for country kids

Royal Far West media release, 10th November 2015

Royal Far West has today launched a new intensive, early intervention therapy service for children with disabilities from rural and regional NSW, designed specifically to address major service gaps for country kids. 

 The ‘Windmill Program’ offers a range of services to support children with mild to moderate disabilities. Services are offered on site at the Royal Far West health and wellbeing campus at Manly and are available to country children aged between 2-7 years of age who can access the Department of Social Services BetterStart or Helping Children with Autism Packages (HCWA). Subsequent support and follow up is available to children and their families in their local community via dedicated RFW telecare programs.

The Windmill Program has been developed in response to major gaps in the provision of early intervention services outside of city areas, which can often create barriers for children and their families in accessing the support they need, particularly in the area of specialist allied health services.

Current research shows that rural children with a disability are around 23% less likely to register with BetterStart and Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) and are accessing up to 60% less funding than urban-based families due to a lack of access to services. It also demonstrates a serious shortage of allied health professionals in country Australia, particularly in the field of clinical psychology ... read the full text of the media release here.

• Prime 7 News report on Windmill Program 

About Royal Far West

Royal Far West is a non-government organisation that has been providing health services to children living in rural and remote New South Wales since 1924 ... Every year, thousands of country children who have non-acute developmental, behavioural, learning, emotional and mental health disorders, and limited access to local services, benefit from our integrated clinical and educational model of care.

Mini Murmurs: for parents and newborns to 5 yrs

Mini Murmurs is a new initiative of Murmuration Dance Theatre:

• Free weekly trial classes for parents and their newborns to 5 yr olds, with or without a disability, throughout November, in Marrickville.

A fun and creative movement class, combining a series of exercises that aim to improve physical and mental well-being of parents/caregivers and their children. This class will be combined with free time in the space to allow everyone to chat and play ..

Our aim is to provide an opportunity for children and their parents and caregivers to relax and enjoy each other’s company in a structured, creative and inclusive environment ...

For more information please contact via email ana@murmuration.com.au or phone 02 9569 4580 Wednesday – Friday.

• Registration is essential, no commitment necessary, casual attendance welcome - link on website

Australian. Down Syndrome Conference: Adelaide, August

Adelaide based Foundation 21 is hosting The Australian Down Syndrome Conference: Educate Communicate Achieve in Adelaide in August Prof Sue Buckley from Down Syndrome International in the UK, Dr Kelly Burgoyne and Rebecca Baxter will deliver presentations on teamwork and collaboration between families and professionals in improving the educational outcomes of students with Down syndrome. The conference will have three streams that are related to student age from preschool to adolescence.   This conference is a rare opportunity for parents and education professionals to hear firsthand the latest advances in learning for people with Down syndrome, from some of the worlds leading researchers and practitioners. Registrations are open now.  14 - 15 August 2015 Adelaide (Note that this conference will take place immediately prior to the 12th World Down Syndrome Congress in India.) Visit the conference website for program and other details, and for registration.

#education21 - how educational research is helping children with Down syndrome today

Over the 21 weeks to World Down Syndrome Day 2015, Down Syndrome Education International is highlighting 21 examples of how educational research helps and why it matters. The series is now in its fourth week, and will continue until 21st March 2015:

Educational research improves the lives of people with Down syndrome. It provides the foundation for effective support, therapy and teaching for children around the world. Follow #education21 and join a conversation about the future of educational research for people with Down syndrome. 

Sign up for emails, and follow the series on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ to join the conversation. 

21 examples of how educational research helps and why it matters... 

#1. Signing improves early vocabulary learning and communication#2. Verbal short term memory presents specific difficulties#3. Reading can be a strength and support learning and language#4. Learning to talk is a particular challenge

Advice on supporting early language development

A common question for families everywhere:
When to Start Speech Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome 

Jennifer Bekins, Talk-Down Syndrome, 15th September 2014

... Most children with DS are in preschool or kindergarten when goals for articulation are established. Until then, therapy focuses on the child’s ability to understand and use words and gestures to communicate ...

• Other posts on this blog about communication

More funding for NSW community preschool children with disability

NSW Dept Education and Communities media release, 17th August 2014:
Children with disability will be given more support to attend community preschool under an overhaul of funding arrangements announced today by the NSW Government.

The new Preschool Disability Support Program will make $17 million available to community preschools in NSW — including an extra $2 million directly going to support young children each year.

Funding for children with the highest needs will increase by 30-70 per cent, assisting children who previously were not getting the level of support they need.

Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli said the Preschool Disability Support Program recognises the impact of disability on children, their families and community preschools.

"Attending preschool is an important developmental stage in the life of any young child and it is important to extend this experience to young children with disability," Mr Piccoli said.