Education Professionals

Down Syndrome Ireland run a number of education conferences throughout the year for education professionals working with both primary and secondary level students.

Due to the current pandemic we have paused these events – we have however created a new Online Seminar section on our site to support teachers and parents with a number of key points regarding the various educational stages for children with Down syndrome

Please contact us on 01-5632450 or email us at info@downsyndrome.ie for more information or if you would like to be kept informed about upcoming education conferences.

The DSI online educational seminars have been developed by three members of our Member Support Team – Nicola Hart (Head of Member Support); Olive Buckeridge (Early Years Specialist) and Fidelma Brady (Education Specialist).

Below you will find seminars available on the following topics:

• Managing Behaviours at Post Primary & Young Adult Stages – Mr John Curran, March 2022, WATCH HERE
• Managing Behaviours at Pre-School & Primary School Stages – Mr John Curran, March 2022, WATCH HERE
• Down syndrome & Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – An Overview, WATCH HERE
• Down Syndrome & Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – An Overview of Language & Behaviour, WATCH HERE
• Educational Programmes for Children with Ds & ASD – Part 1, WATCH HERE
• Educational Programmes for Children with DS & ASD – Part 2, WATCH HERE
• Educational Programmes for Children with DS & ASD – Part 3, WATCH HERE
• Primary Student Information Presentation, WATCH HERE
• Post-Primary Student Information Presentation, WATCH HERE
• Literacy & Numeracy at Primary School, WATCH HERE
• In-Class Behaviour Management, WATCH HERE
• Specific Learning Needs of the Student with Down Syndrome, WATCH HERE
• Pathway through Junior Cycle, WATCH HERE
• Managing the Transition from Primary to Post Primary School, WATCH HERE
• Options & Pathways through Senior Cycle, WATCH HERE
• Accessing the Curriculum – Differentiation of Work, WATCH HERE
• Numeracy Acquiring Basic Maths Skills, WATCH HERE
• Using Numicon as a Resource in Teaching Numeracy, WATCH HERE
• Strategies and Supports for Children Transitioning to Mainstream Primary School, WATCH HERE
• Language & Communication, WATCH HERE
• Managing Vision & Hearing Issues, WATCH HERE
• Introduction to Behaviour, WATCH HERE
• Mental Well Being, WATCH HERE
• Strategies to Promote Positive Behaviour in Young Adults WATCH HERE
• Understanding, Changing and Teaching Behaviour at the Post-Primary Stage WATCH HERE
• Choosing a school (Dr. Nicola Hart) WATCH HERE
• Choosing a Primary School (Dr. Fidelma Brady) WATCH HERE
• Choosing a Post-Primary School (Dr. Fidelma Brady) WATCH HERE
• Communication Between Parents and Primary/Post-Primary Schools WATCH HERE
• Essential Planning for Primary and Post-Primary Schools WATCH HERE

Learning to talk is a particular challenge for most children with Down syndrome. Difficulties with understanding and using language present obstacles in daily life and can be a major source of frustration.

See and Learn is an evidence based, structured teaching programme which teaches speech, language and reading skills in small steps for children with Down syndrome up to 6 years of age. 

The programme is designed to help parents and educators provide young children with the additional support and practice they need to learn language.

We are investing in the programme with funds raised through our HB Fundays campaign this year.

During 2020, we want to put a See and Learn pack in every participating pre-school in the country that has a child with Down syndrome attending as well as provide training to early years educators.

You can find out more about the programme and upcoming workshop dates here.

If you would like to participate in the programme, you will receive See and Learn training and also a free See and Learn kit. Please contact Olive Buckridge, Early Years Specialist by email at olive@downsyndrome.ie.  

Down Syndrome Ireland Education Officer Fidelma Brady: 01 4266500 or info@downsyndrome.ie.
Lámh Signs Ireland | Communication Augmentation Sign System Ltd
The Better Start Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme.
Numicon is a multi-sensory maths teaching programme using Numicon maths shapes in a series of practical teaching activities.
National Council for Special Education
Special Education Support Service
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
Down Syndrome Education International is an international resource offering information and online courses for teachers of children with Down syndrome
The Institute of Child Education and Psychology Europe provide online courses up to Masters Level in special educational needs and positive psychology.
The National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) provides support and expertise to partner post-primary schools on issues related to behaviour.

The need for support in differentiating materials for students with Down syndrome has been identified by parents, teachers and other educators as the syllabus for second level subjects – as presented in current textbooks and materials – is beyond the level of comprehension and reading ability of many students with Down syndrome.

We have developed booklets which show differentiated segments for a number of subjects: Home Economics, English, Science, History, Geography and Civil, Social and Political Education (CSPE).

Each booklet offers a number of ‘sample lessons’.

Additional sample lessons in the form of PowerPoint presentations are available for Science (Balanced Diet) and Home Economics (‘Home Baking’, ‘Milk, Cheese & Eggs’ and ‘The Teeth’)

They will help teachers provide suitable materials of an appropriate level for teenagers with Down syndrome resulting in better learning outcomes and more inclusion in the classroom.

Our Introductory Booklet has information on Individual Education Plans, Strategies for Learning and Teaching, a Behaviour Checklist and information on related issues such as Hearing and Vision.

Supporting Children with Down syndrome in Primary School

Getting ready for Post Primary School – My Workbook

Supporting Students with Down syndrome transition from Primary to Post Primary School

Supporting students with Down syndrome in Post Primary School

Supporting Students with Down syndrome in Special School

These booklets were written thanks to support from the Scheme to Support National Organisations, funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Rural and Community Affairs.

Our Education Officer Fidelma Brady is on hand to provide support, information, advice and training for schools and teachers to assist them in the provision of appropriate education for children and young people with Down syndrome. She is available to support children with Down syndrome through their education journey from primary, post primary and special school.

She can also provide advice and information at each stage of educational transition and when difficulties arise.

Our Regional Resource Officers work with some of our branches. They provide additional support in their community for professionals working with children and adults with Down syndrome in their respective areas.

Please contact us on 01 4266500 or email us at info@downsyndrome.ie if you would like to get in touch or for more information.