Primary & Secondary School
The Society is pleased to be able to offer an Education Consultancy Service to all schools with a child (and/or children) with Down syndrome in their student population.
Whilst the children (and/or their families) do not have to be members of the Society we would encourage membership so that they have access to other membership benefits. Similarly Schools do not have to be members of the Society to receive this service. However we would like to point out that it would be financially prudent for them to consider membership as without it they will not have access to educational resources for loan from our Resource Centre and will not receive discounts on training and or resources purchased. For more information on the benefits of membership refer to our membership page or speak to the Education consultant assigned to your school.
We receive supplementary funding from the MACSWD to provide this service (refer to our Government funding page for more information).
It is well researched and documented that most, if not all children/students with Down syndrome have specific learning difficulties in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy, Protective Behaviours, and Sexuality and Human relationships. Therefore to ensure all students access and participate in all aspects of schooling, these areas of curriculum will need to be negotiated.
Specific programs and/or curriculum modifications will need to be implemented to ensure the child/student achieves identified learning outcomes identified in the Negotiated Education Plan (NEP or sector equivalent).
Our Education Consultants are highly skilled in all aspects of specialised programs, curriculum modification and behaviour management.
We recommend that all schools take advantage of this expertise.
Primary
During the child’s preschool placement, and after full discussion with involved professionals, initial discussions take place with parents in relation to enrolling their child in the neighbourhood school or an appropriate educational setting.
Schooling options available include placement in:
- a mainstream class
- a special class within a mainstream school
- a special school
An Education Consultant from the Society can be involved as part of the team negotiating the transition process to school. The Consultant's role can include:
- inservicing whole school staff
- in-service extra curricular teachers
- observation and advising on appropriate behaviour management strategies, and teaching methodologies
- modelling/demonstrating strategies and techniques
- being a member of the Negotiated Curriculum Plan team as a specialist consultant
- networking families to existing agencies for additional support
Secondary
An Education Consultancy Service is available to Secondary Schools. This service can include advice and support on:
- Curriculum modification
- Peer awareness programs
- Sexuality and Human relationships programs
- Friendships
- SACE
- Post School Options
- Work Experience
Tutoring
Does your child need tutoring in literacy and numeracy?
We can help! The Down Syndrome Society is a registered tutoring service provider with 'an even start - www.anevenstart.dest.gov.au. Click on the icon below for more information.
