New See and Learn app: First Phrases 2

From Down Syndrome Education International:

Our new See and Learn First Phrases 2 app for iPads is now available from the Apple App Store. 

See and Learn First Phrases 2 teaches two-keyword phrases illustrated in themed books using early vocabulary that is taught in See and Learn First Vocabulary 1 and See and Learn First Vocabulary 2.  

Building on the sight words learned in See and Learn First Phrases 1, See and Learn First Phrases 2 also teaches sight word reading using simple matching, selecting and naming activities. 

See and Learn First Phrases 2 is part of See and Learn Language and Reading – a structured teaching programme designed to teach children with Down syndrome to talk and to read.

All the details of activities, content, features, advice on use, links to ordering and other See and Learn apps are on the See and Learn website, here.

Women’s Health Learning Circle

Image description: text reads 'The Women's Health Learning Circle' Family Planning NSW is starting a Women’s Health Learning Circle for women with intellectual disability aged between 45-64 years of age. Image description: A woman in a blue top, smiling, looking up to her left. The Learning Circle will be a place for women to learn about their bodies and the changes they will experience as they age. The Learning Circle will run once a week for four weeks and be led by experienced reproductive and sexual health educators. If you know anyone who would be interested in attending The Learning Circle please forward the information on to them. Places in The Learning Circle are limited so it is important people register to attend the group. Some of the things you will learn about are: menopause health checks for you private body parts relationships how to keep your body healthy The Women's Health Learning Circle will meet once a week for 4 weeks. Where: Family Planning NSW,  328 - 336 Liverpool Road, Ashfield When: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Thursday 8 June 2017 Friday 16 June 2017 Thursday 22 June 2017 Friday 30 June 2017 If you would like to be part of this group contact: Abi Monaghan P: 02 8752 4388 E: healthpromotion@fpnsw.org.au It is important to contact us before 2 June if you want to be part of this group.

Education matters

My daughter with Down syndrome deserves to be in a regular classroom

Heather Avis, Good Housekeeping, 15 April 2017
... we found ourselves catapulted into a world we knew little about and quickly did all we could to figure it out. We discovered this "Down syndrome" thing is pretty incredible ... As it wove itself into the normalcy of our day-to-day lives, I would often catch myself looking around trying to figure out how I got so lucky. It was as though there was this secret club of people who get to do life with Down syndrome, and somehow, I was let in.

But the world of Down syndrome is not all lazy rivers. Over the past 8 years, I've spent more time in raging rapids, clinging onto a rock for dear life as my daughter has undergone lifesaving surgeries and spent way too many hours in doctor's offices. And as we have entered the world of public schools, the taste in my mouth has been anything but sweet ...

Response to Senate report on students  with disability: some positive, but weak

Catia Malaquias, SWJ IncludEd, 2 April 2017
The Australian Government has quietly tabled its Response dated March 2017 to the Senate Committee’s Report entitled “Access to real learning: the impact of policy, funding and culture on students with disability” (released on 15 January 2016) ...

Australian Government launches 'Leading Learning 4 All' website

Catia Malaquias, SWJ IncludEd, 8 March 2017

... the emphasis of the website on school leadership (is) to promote an inclusive school culture, to develop, mentor and support inclusive teaching practices and to foster collaborative relationships with parents of students with disability – each cornerstones of a robust inclusive education system ... Although we have previously expressed our reservations about a “special education” association like ASEPA being tasked with developing inclusive education resources for regular mainstream schools, we acknowledge that the website provides access to a wealth of useful information, tips and resources for principals and teachers in mainstream schools to better include students with disability ...

Do we really believe in inclusion?

Chris Wejr, Think Inclusion, 14 February 2014
As an education system and society, we have made huge strides in the inclusion of students with visible disabilities in our classrooms, groups, sports, and friendships. I wonder, though, if we have made as much progress in including ALL students… especially those who appear on the outside to be similar yet are different (or perceived to be) on the inside. I am not talking about the act of everyone having a seat in a classroom; I am talking about having a mindset of real inclusion ...

New musical theatre class: St Ives

Image: Applause Musical Theatre Academy logo 

 Image: Becky (a young blonde woman who has Down syndrome), a character from the TV series Glee, in cheerleader costume. 

Caption: Doesn't your teen deserve some Applause?

Text of the poster (available as an image on the Applause Musical Theatre Academy Facebook page):

Applause Musical Theatre Academy

Build confident, creative kids through performance.

Applause Musical Theatre Academy is starting a new class in Term 2 for teens with special meeds on 

Thursdays from 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm in St Ives.

This class will provide your teen (from Year 6 to 12) with an avenue to express him/herself creatively and freely, and build confidence not just in performing.

Your teen will learn to song, dance and act songs from popular musicals such as High School Musical, The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music.

Drama is also taught through fun acting exercises.

With two music-qualified, industry experienced professionals teaching the class and love piano accompaniment, this is the real deal.

There are performance opportunities so your teen will get moments toshine performing on the stage in front of an audience.

Image: Becky from the TV series Glee, in cheerleader costume. Caption: Doesn't your teen deserve some Applause?

Register for our free trial class on Thursday 4 May here: 

www.applausemta.com.au/enrol-now.html

• If you are sure your teen will love this class, then pay the $25 registration fee and your teen will get a free Academy T shirt worth $25.

For more information call Ingrid on  0405 495 099 or email ingrid@applausemta.com.au

Education matters

MU program a model for other colleges

Cathy Molitoris, Lancaster Online, 18 February 2017
... Students in the Career and Life Studies program are part of person-centered planning to identify the hopes and dreams of each student, Bechtel says.

“This is a very significant experience for the student and their family/friends because many students have never been asked about their hopes and dreams,” Bechtel says. “In K-12, much of their day and life have been planned out and structured according to an IEP (Individualized Education Program) outlining the services and paid supports available for a student. Thinking about college and their future career was not on their radar until the barriers to access came tumbling down with the creation of post-secondary education programs.” ...

Students with a disability face massive funding shortfall, Education Council figures suggestNorman Hermant, ABC AM, 16 February 2017
Students with a disability face an enormous funding gap in Australian schools, new figures from the Productivity Commission and the Education Council appear to have shown ...

A principal’s role in promoting inclusive education
Brett Henebery, The Educator, 13 February 2017
Research has shown that when included in the mainstream school system, children with a disability thrive in their learning.

This practice is called inclusive education, which is defined as education free from discriminatory beliefs, attitudes and practices, including free from ableism. Inclusive education requires putting inclusive values into action to ensure all children and adults belong, participate and flourish ...

Education expert provides 5 tips to help parents with school team conversations

Global Down Syndrome Foundation, February 2017
It is at this time of the year, that I tend to find families entering into more challenging conversations with their school teams regarding instruction, growth and next steps for their child. Here are a few tips to help with these courageous conversations ...

'Not just a nice idea': The importance of inclusion in and beyond the classroom
Anna Delaney, CBC News, 11 February 2017
.. Pam Anstey, the executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living, says she believes strongly in the benefits of an inclusive classroom.

"Inclusive education works. It's been proven over and over and over again," she said. "It is the best system to create and foster diversity and belonging." ...

Our Top 10 Free Resources for Inclusive Schools Week 

Brookes Publishing, 6 December 2016

Over the past few years we’ve built up a big collection of free resources on inclusive education, and this seemed like a great time for a top-10 list ... webinars, book excerpts, printables, and articles on some of the most important topics in inclusive education. Bookmark this post to keep these resources at your fingertips, and share them with your colleagues who work toward a fair and equitable education for all students ...

Movement and Music Sessions for Young People with Disability

The Australian Chamber Orchestra has been offering the ACO Move program for several years, under the guiding hand of Dean Watson. Applications are now open for the 2017 series:

ACO Move is a series of sessions for people with disability integrating movement and live music. Participants work with movement facilitator Dean Watson together with ACO musicians and a percussionist through a series of task-related exercises designed to develop physical movement responses to live music.

Sessions are held in the ACO Studio at Circular Quay and at the Sydney Opera House and are free of charge. Participants with experience in movement and music are encouraged to apply. 

Details and link to 2017 Application Form 

For further information and to apply, please email education@aco.com.au

School, education, teaching, learning

What a very hot, hot hot week for the start of the 2017 school year! Best wishes to all of those students starting school or high school for the very first time, and those returning from the long summer holidays.

There is so much information available to support students, teachers and families, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are just a few links to give you food for thought right now:


I Don’t Speak for Laura
George Estreich, New York Times, 27 January 2017
... In one way, Laura’s Father’s Day note is nothing special: Lots of people with Down syndrome read and write. In another, it is evidence of a radical transformation that began in my lifetime, and is still underway ...


Schools For All Guide

School Inclusion Parent Network

We, as parents, are the experts on our children and the constant in their lives. But navigating the schools years and ensuring that our children gain access to the general education classroom, receive the appropriate supports and stay on the path to an inclusive future, can be challenging and confusing. Access to quality information can make all the difference ...

• This guide refers to US law and school administrative procedures, but it also includes reading on the nature of inclusion in education, the role of families and other matters that have universal relevance.

Tips for Teachers - a collection of short practical tips for teachers to improve the inclusiveness of their general education classrooms

Dr Robert Jackson and Catia Malaquias, IncludEd (part of the blog Starting with Julius), January 2017
The 2017 school year is about to start and teachers in regular mainstream classrooms will be busy planning and preparing teaching materials, including differentiated curricula materials for students with disability allocated to their class. To assist, we have gathered together all our “Tips for Teachers” articles on this page, including some additional information.

Tips For Teachers Series:

• Creating An Inclusive Class Culture – Practical Tips For Teachers (N.o1)

• Supporting Peer Connection in the Inclusive Class – Practical Tips For Teachers (No.2)

• Less Is More: The Education Assistant – Practical Tips For Teachers (No.3)

• Getting the “Big Idea”: Including All Students in the Same Curriculum – Practical Tips for Teachers (No. 4 Part A)

• Making the “Big Idea” Achievable: Including All students in the Same Curriculum – Practical tips for teachers (No. 4 Part B)

• Presenting the “Big Idea” for All: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – Practical tips for teachers (No. 4 Part C)

• Behaviour Support in the Inclusive Classroom: The Basics – Practical Tips for Teachers (No. 5 Part A)

Education conferences in Qld and NSW
Two education conferences scheduled for the early weeks of the school year will be of interest to schools, individual teachers and support staff - families can pass the information about them to their child's school:

Embracing Success, Down Syndrome NSW's annual education conference will be held in Sydney 23 - 24 March 2017

Endless Possibilities, Down Syndrome Queensland's annual education conference will be held in Brisbane 2 - 3 March 2017, and might be more accessible to families and teachers in far northern NSW 

More posts on education matters

Embracing Success 2017: DS NSW education conference, early bird registration now open

 

23 and 24 MARCH 2017  

SMC Conference and Function Centre, Goulburn Street 

SYDNEY

 Keynote speakers:

Dr Rhonda Faragher - senior lecturer in mathematics education, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane 

Dr Kelly Burgoyne - formerly at Down Syndrome Education International, currently Senior Research Fellow, Psychology, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane

Other speakers: 

Leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

An essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Flyer and program details 

• Booking details and early bird registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website. Early bird registration closes 31 January 2017.

New books from Woodbine House

New titles recently released by specialist publishers Woodbine House:

Whole Child Reading: A Quick-Start Guide to Teaching Students with Down Syndrome and Other Developmental Delays 

Natalie Hale, 2016

Discover the keys to teaching children and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities how to read for meaning. Written for today's busy parents and teachers, this easy-to-use guide explains how to "go in through the heart" to hook beginning and struggling readers with high-interest, individualized materials—flashcards, personal books, and modified trade books. The simple strategies described are designed to "teach to the brain" and are based on research about how we learn most easily and naturally ....

• Kindle/eBook and paperback editions are available. 

Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A guide for parents and professionals

Maryanne Bruni, third edition, 2016

The popular book, Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome is now available in a completely revised third edition. The author, an occupational therapist and parent of an adult with Down syndrome, describes how the characteristics of Down syndrome can impact the acquisition and progression of fine motor skills. She presents a thorough overview of the building blocks of fine motor development, from infancy through to adulthood ...

• Paperback 

Woodbine House does not accept orders to ship to Australia, but other sources are readily available that ship to and within Australia.

News from Down Syndrome Education International (2)

Professor Sue Buckley receives Education Award from National Down Syndrome Congress Down Syndrome Education International, 24 July 2016
DSE’s Director of Science and Research, Professor Sue Buckley OBE, has been presented with the National Down Syndrome Congress’ Education Award for her work improving education for children with Down syndrome.

Professor Sue Buckley OBE was presented with the National Down Syndrome Congress’ Education Award “for improving the lives of children with Down syndrome by developing innovative research-based education techniques.”

The award was presented at the Opening Plenary Session of the National Down Syndrome Congress’ 44th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Presenting the award, NDSC’s President, Marilyn Tolbert, recognized Sue’s distinguished career serving people with Down syndrome and their families worldwide through research and support services, including the earliest research showing children with Down syndrome could learn to read and – more recently – the first randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention designed for children with Down syndrome ... read more here.

Arts news (2): dance workshops; Irish film

The Right Foot workshops for 2016 are open for registration

DirtyFeet is a Sydney-based, not-for-profit contemporary dance organisation supporting independent dance artists- particularly young emerging artists looking for opportunities to cultivate their creative potential and gain industry experience.

Throughout September, DirtyFeet is presenting 'The Right Foot' - FREE creative dance workshops for people with and without disability between the ages of 14 and 26 years, providing a creative activity for those who may otherwise not have access to dance. The workshops will be facilitated by Brianna Kell and Margot Politis.

The Right Foot workshops for 2016 are open for registration (booking essential):  

September 3, 10, 17, 24Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

• DirtyFeet on Facebook

Let's hope we can get to see this movie in Australia. Check out the trailers embedded in the news story:

Award-winning Irish film starring cast who have intellectual disabilities hopes to go global

The Journal, 24 July 2016
An Irish film starring nine young actors who have intellectual disabilities is hoping to go global and be shown at international film festivals.

Sanctuary, directed by Len Collins, is an adaptation of the theatre play of the same name by Christian O’Reilly about a group of young people with intellectual disabilities who go on a day trip to Galway. Two of the gang are a couple, and plan some alone time in a local hotel.

... The film was premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh earlier this month, where it won the Best Irish First Feature award ...

Education links

Tomorrow sees most NSW students return to school for the second half of the 2016 school year. These links about various aspects of school education for students with disabilities, and Down syndrome in particular, have come to our attention recently:

Hearing, learning and Down’s syndrome

Stuart Mills, Special Educational Needs (SEN) Magazine, May/June 2016

Stuart Mills looks at the effects of hearing impairment on children with Down’s syndrome, and what teachers can do to help ...

Children with disability are being excluded from education
David Roy, The Conversation, 30 May 2016

Governments in Australia, New Zealand and the UK are failing children with disabilities by not providing necessary learning support and by allowing issues to permeate without intervening. Schools are deliberately disregarding disability standards through rejecting school places, denying the opportunity of access to activities and offering minimal, if any, support to children with disabilities.

And research shows that this is becoming more of a concern ...
Thinking about Literacy and Intellectual Disability

Aaron Johannes, 101 Friends, 31 December 2013

One of the most powerful parts of the work we’ve done over the last several years has been a) realizing how illiteracy affects people with disabilities and b) witnessing their inclusion in conversations about their lives in some of our work using graphics and plain language, dialogues and story-telling and, more recently, theater and music. Several times people have gotten quite emotional about feeling, finally, part of conversations and empowered to the point where they can participate ...

“Inclusion really does make us all better”: Tips and success stories from Beth Foraker

The Inclusion Lab (Brookes Publishing), 9 February 2016

We asked Beth a few questions about successful inclusion, and then she shared two wonderful, personal success stories—one of them featuring her own son, Patrick. Read on to learn from one of the most passionate and knowledgeable inclusion advocates in the online community!

• Note - this post is part of a series Fair Is Not Always Equal…Now What?

 Federal Government?

Family Advocacy, 14 July 2016

... beyond answers on the allocated funding, we need our government to face up to the fact that Australia is failing to make progress toward true inclusion of our children with disability in schools ...

New initiative from My Choice Matters

Launched to day, designed for people with disability, with support when needed - an innovative course to help people with disability to become leaders in their own lives. Now that's an idea worth looking into:

Become a Leader online

This is an online course designed by My Choice Matters to support you to be a leader in your life and in the community around you.

It is based on the face-to-face course that we ran across the state. It gives you the chance to learn at home and at your own pace. So take the leap and become a leader today! (Home page, Become a Leader Online website)

Become a Leader Online will take you through understanding what leadership is, asking for what you want, making changes, and working with others. These are all very important steps on your path to become a leader.

Being a leader will help you grow a cause you believe in, help others, negotiate the best out of every situation. These skills will be important when you're planning for the NDIS as well as generally in your life ... (About Us page, Become a Leader Online)

Visit the Become a Leader Online website, and find out much more about people who have done the course, and how you can do it too.

MONEY MATTERS!

Financial Literacy for Learners with Down Syndrome 

A workshop for parents and caregivers of high schoolers/adults, presented by Dr Rhonda Faragher

Register now

Money skills are usually a challenge for learners with Down syndrome. Most ‘functional maths’ programs focus on outdated skills, such as using coins and calculating change.

This workshop for parents/carers explores key functional skills in financial literacy that will actually allow people with Down syndrome to participate in the adult world. 

Concepts will include 

• understanding budgets, 
• setting up electronic banking and using EFTPOS
• strategies for teaching 
• taking account of maths learning profiles 

While this session is targeted towards parents/carers, should you wish to bring along your person with DS, we are happy to offer them a discounted rate of 50% (if accompanied by a paying registrant).

Date: Wednesday 16 March 2016 Time: 7:30 – 8:30 pm Venue: SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney Cost: $55 per session, inc GST.

Register now!

For more information, email training@dsansw.org.au

Support for enjoyment and safety of the beach and other water activities

We are so lucky to have a beautiful climate, the best beaches, and lots of opportunities for swimming and other water activities. Many people with Down syndrome love the beach and other swimming activities just like anyone else, and need little or no support to stay safe. Others need a bit of support to develop skills and confidence, and some need much more. 

In addition to community swimming and water safety activities that might be your first port of call, here are some places to try that aim to help you make the most of summer (and much of autumn and spring, or all year round), whatever support you or your child might need ...

Little Heroes Swim Academy is based in Sydney's eastern suburbs, offering classes and other activities in a number of locations there, and at Putney (Ryde). They are very experienced in teaching people with all kinds of disabilities, and include a program to 'bring the beach to people with disabilities because everyone has a right to be included'.

• Little Heroes Swim Academy on Facebook (see the 6 January post about the beach program)

Rainbow Club - fifteen clubs in NSW provide swimming lessons for children with a disability. They operate during the four school terms.

• Rainbow Club on Facebook

Down Syndrome Swimming Australia - 'DSSA encourages individuals with Down syndrome to actively participate in the great sport of swimming at all levels of competency. Our aim is to give people with Down syndrome the opportunity to swim competitively against other athletes and to provide a pathway to local, national and international competition.' DSSA has selected a team to compete in the World Trimsome Games in Florence, Italy in 2016.

• Down Syndrome Swimming Australia on Facebook

Disabled Surfers Association of Australia 'is uniquely Australian having ambitions to go global, whilst setting world’s best practice for the sport of Disabled Surfing. Initially set up for injured surfers, within a short time the DSA had dramatically widened its target group to cater for all disabilities that is anyone willing to have a go.' The website and Facbook page have the best photos!

• Disabled Surfers Australia on Facebook

Sailors with Disabilities 'provides free sailing and training programs for people with a disability, disadvantaged children and adults, and their carers.'

• Sailors with Disabilities on Facebook

Special Olympics Australia offers recreational and competitive Aquatics programs. You need to check into your local region's page on the website to see what activities are available. Some regions have their own Facebook pages.

• Special Olympics Australia on Facebook
• Special Olympics ACT and NSW on Facebook

Swimming Australia 'recognises the great potential for people with disability to participate in all aspects of the sport and we have been committed for many years to making inclusion simply part of what we do. Swimming Australia believes in taking a social approach to disability inclusion by putting the swimmer first, adapting to individual need and addressing both physical and attitudinal barriers to participation.' Links to State associations, clubs, classification, competitions and other disability/swimming organisations.

• Swimming NSW on Facebook

L Plates

A Down Syndrome NSW member's story, from Margaret Taplin:

Michael Taplin, aged 24, has recently passed his Learner’s License and is very excited, while nervous, to learn to drive. Michael achieved this by attending Sydney Ultimo TAFE. The course is run for disabled adults twice a week for a 15 week period. He studied very hard over this time and practiced the questions consistently on the RTA website. He liked meeting new friends at TAFE from all over Sydney and he enjoyed finding his way to and from Ultimo.

Michael has held a position of Office Assistant in a recruitment firm in the city for the past 5 years. He works from 9 am to 12 pm 5 days each week and catches the train to and from work. He loves his job and has many friends at work. His office is at Darling Harbour and he is finding his way around the city often meeting his brother at Fitness First gym at Bond Street.

Michael is enjoying the new Up Club which has started at Cronulla and loves having the outings with his friends from the Shire.

Michael also plays tennis for Special Olympics and represented NSW in the 2014 National Competition winning a bronze medal in the Doubles. He also participates at Special Olympics at Golf so his Saturdays are very busy.

John and I are very proud of what Michael is achieving in his life, he is a good and loyal friend and has a cheeky personality.

Parent workshops: March 2016

Teaching Maths and Financial Literacy

Down Syndrome NSW is pleased to announce two maths workshops for parents/carers by leading mathematics researcher and lecturer, Dr Rhonda Faragher. 

These parent workshops tackle two areas of learning that are both challenging and enormously useful for navigating life at and beyond school.

The brochure provides an outline of workshop outlines. Registrations are now open online. 

BROCHURE 

REGISTER ONLINE 

Wednesday 16 March, 2016 

SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn Street

Sydney

Mathematics for Young Learners

 6.00pm - 7.00pm 

Cost $55 incl gst 

Financial literacy for Learners with Down syndrome

7:30pm - 8:30pm 

Cost $55 incl gst

For more information please contact training@dsansw.org.au 

Rhonda Faragher, PhD, is an academic working in the field of inclusive education and is currently with the Learning Sciences Institute Australia, Faculty of Education and Arts, Australian Catholic University. She chairs the Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation, is a Board Member of Down Syndrome Australia, Trustee of Down Syndrome International and ViceChair, International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities Down Syndrome Special Interest Research Group. She has taught mathematics from early childhood to tertiary level and her research and teaching is based on the premise that all learners can enjoy and be successful at mathematics. She is the author of a number of publications, including an editor of the recent book, Educating Learners with Down Syndrome, published by Routledge. Rhonda has received a number of awards for her work, including the Commonwealth of Australia Endeavour Executive Award and the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award from James Cook University.

'Look, Cook, and Eat' digital cooking magazine launched

Look, Cook and Eat is a logical progression from adapted cookbooks and menu planners, to an online service making the most of new media. The news about its release was passed on to us by well known dietician and advocacte Joan Medlen, so we know it is well worth considering:

Look, Cook, and Eat officially opened for business on 13th October - the first digital magazine designed to help teach people with special needs and learning challenges how to cook.

Screen shot from the Look, Cook and Eat website

With a yearly subscription, you have access (by computer or tablet) to new menus every other month (six issues per year). Every recipe in every menu will have photos of ingredients and tools needed and short, simple videos to show you how to make it. You receive an email when a new issue is available.

Several people with Down syndrome feature in the videos and images, and have been involved in development of the concept. Some unfamiliar products will appear on ingredient lists since it is US based, but it would be easy to provide images of local substitutes.

It would lend itself to classroom use or one:one learning with a support worker, as well as independent use. It could be a useful way to give in-family support at arms length.

Visit the website for further details, to see the promotional video, and to subscribe. And of course there is a Look, Cook and Eat Facebook page, and a blog!

Sex education: rights and resources

To paraphrase the very knwledgeable and to-the-point Dave Hingsburger:

'... you can deny your son or daughter an education about sex and sexuality, but they will learn about it anyway - you just won't know what they have learned and how safe it is ...'

This Is What Sex Ed for the Intellectually Disabled Looks Like
Monica Heisey, Broadly, 30th September 2015
A lack of sexual education has an impact in all aspects of a person's life, so why are intellectually disabled people given so few opportunities to learn about sex on their own terms? ...

The Down Syndrome NSW library collection includes several items about sexuality education. You might like to start with this classic, which pretty much sets the benchmark:

Teaching children with Down syndrome about their bodies, boundaries, and sexuality: a guide for parents and professionals by Terri Couwenhoven

Members can contact Jo in the library via email library@dsansw.org.au to arrange a loan. The Down Syndrome NSW library catalogue is available to view here.

Prof Sue Buckley on learning resources

Prof Sue Buckley was one of the keynote speakers from Down Syndrome Education International (DSE) at the Australian Down Syndrome Conference in Adelaide in August. Since the 1970s, UK-based DSE (previously known as the Sarah Duffen Centre), has been at the leading edge of the study of learning in children with Down syndrome, with an international reputation for the quality of its research and practice with both families and professionals. 

In this blog post, published yesterday in the UK, Sue explains how their latest resources build on previous and recent work, using the latest technology, and how both families and professionals can use them most effectively:

Why we are developing the See and Learn programs

Prof Sue Buckley, See and Learn (blogs), 9th September 2015

As we continue to release new See and Learn teaching programs as apps and kits – most recently with the release of the first step in See and Learn Numbers, I wanted to share some of the reasons why we are developing these resources and what we hope they will offer children with Down syndrome.

For many years, we have drawn on a growing body of research investigating the learning difficulties experienced by children with Down syndrome to inform better education. We published a book and a video based on some of our earliest research in 1986. Ever since then, we have worked to bring evidence-based advice to parents and to teachers through our services, publications and our training ...