Down Syndrome and their Education

Rochelle Anzer

What is Down Syndrome?

• It is when a child is born with 47 chromosomes instead of 46

• When they are born with 47 chromosomes in most cases they have an extra copy of chromosome 21

• It is not a disease, or an illness• Children with Down Syndrome can

range from mild to severe

Physical Features

• Excess skin at the nape of the neck

• Separated joints between the bones of the skull (sutures)

• Small ears• Small mouth• Wide, short hands

with short fingers• White spots on the

colored part of the eye (Brushfield spots)

Loran then and now

Now (Age 6)As a youngster (age 1)

A look into their Education

• According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is suppose to ensure by law that children with disabilities are able to special education, early intervention and other related services to those with disabilities are eligible to get.

First type of Education

• “Mainstreaming is the practice of bringing disabled students into the “mainstream” of student life. Mainstreamed students attend some classes with typical students and other classes with students that have similar disabilities. “

Mainstreaming

Pros• Real world

environment

• Interaction with others

– Teaches better social skills

– Increased motor skills– Helps decrease

aggressive and stereotypical behavior

Cons• Slowing down the

class• Low self-esteem• Neglect• Social Rejection• Cost

Second type of Education

• “Inclusion in education is an approach to educating students with special educational needs into a regular classroom full-time. “

Inclusion

Pros• Friendships can be formed• Peer role models for

academic, social, and behavior

• Increased achievement of IEP goals (individual needs)

• Teamwork

Cons• Disturbance to students

without disabilities• Social Rejection• Neglect• Pace of the classroom• Distractions from their work

Third type of Education

• “Special Education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs.”

Special EducationPros

• Adapted equipment and materials

• Planned teaching• Accessible settings• One on One

Cons

• Away from their peers– And regular schoolwork

What makes it hard to learn?

• Impulsive behavior• Poor judgement• Lack of an attention span• Slow learning

Statistics• Children with Down

Syndrome have just started getting an education in the last 30 years (United Kingdom)

• Intellectual disability– Mild IQ 50-70– Average 35-50

• What do you feel is the better option for a child with Down Syndrome learn?

References• http://www.ehow.com/info_7966918_disadvantages-disabled-children-regular-cla

ssrooms.html• http://www.ehow.com/info_7972938_pros-mainstreaming-disabled-children-class

room.html• http://specialed.about.com/od/disabilities/a/downs.htm• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001992/• http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Special+Education• http://www.help4adhd.org/education/rights/idea• http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues43.html• http://www.down-syndrome.org/information/education/overview/• The Child Six to Twelve, Salt Lake Community College, page 84