This week we are going to talk about some learning considerations for learners with Down syndrome. People with an extra 21st chromosome don’t learn the way that other people learn. Their brain works differently. Kids with Down syndrome have strengths in visual memory and recognition memory. They need visual support like pictures, written words, sign language — to help them process and decrease their reliance on short term memory. When teaching a child with Down syndrome to read, success has been found in teaching high frequency sight words first and focusing in on the strength of recognition vs. phonics. This educational video for families and service providers was put together by the Down syndrome Resource Foundation, right here in BC. It’s a fascinating program and I love seeing learning of all ages participating in the video. The video itself is about 20 minutes long, but I really like referring back to it often when I’m working with kiddos who are learning how to read. Note: this video is 12 years old, however, it’s the best one I’ve found. There are other programs and videos out there, but they all seem to be based off this one.

Did you say Podcast again?

Here is a recent podcast from 2024 that highlights the program “Raising Robust Readers” created by Judy O’Halloran who is an author, an educator and a mom of a child with Down syndrome. She highlights some really great connections between literacy and Down syndrome in the public school system. She really believes that kids with Down syndrome can develop strong reading skills when the approach is tailored to the way they learn the best. Click on the image to be taken to the Podcast.

What about speech and language development?

Speech and language development for kiddos is a big topic and can be a significant struggle for individuals and families. Down syndrome affects all muscles in a person’s body, that includes the muscles that affect a child’s ability to talk and make sounds. In my experience, sign language is a crucial tool towards speech and language development. Sign language requires children to use both hands and when they use both hands, they trigger neuropathways in both sides of their brain. I have supported a lot of young people and have seen first-hand how sign language supports speech and language development.

Here are some common signs that I compiled that I would suggest teaching a child with Down syndrome at a young age. Providing the tools they need to communicate can be super helpful for developing their autonomy and confidence. It can also decrease frustration and improve social interactions, as they are able to communicate their wants and needs. It’s less important for the signs to be perfect, but for the caregivers those around the child to know what their signs look like so they can understand them.

Here is a video I made about a year ago with my little friend Annie. My goal was to highlight how her speech and language is closely tied to a visual cue like a sign. We had been working on colours all school year and as you can see, she struggled with some of the colour recognition until the sign was paired with the item. It’s unedited, so there is some silly in the video. For context, my little friend Annie would have been almost 6 years old in this video.

Let’s talk about Math!

The Ups and Downs Southeast — an organization that appears to be out of the UK put together this really thorough list of the strengths and stretches that kids with Down syndrome have when it comes to learning. These abilities and barriers apply to mathematical learning as well. Kids with Down syndrome do struggle with developing math skills. It takes a LOT of repetition to learn a new math skill. Thankfully there are some really great resources out there that have been put together by parents, educators, advocates and non-profit groups.

The Learning Profile: Strengths

• Strong visual learning skills
• Kinesthetic learners
• Ability to use sign and gesture
• Ability to read by whole word recognition
• Ability and desire to learn from peers
• Learn best from pictorial, concrete and practical materials
• Keen communicators despite language problems
• Respond well to structure and routine

The Learning Profile: Barriers to Learning

• Delayed fine and gross motor skills
• Auditory and visual impairment
• Speech and language delay
• Short term auditory memory difficulties affecting listening,
  processing, storing/remembering and sequencing
• Shorter concentration span
• Consolidation and retention problems
• Generalization, thinking and reasoning
• Avoidance strategies

A few resources…

Ten Essential Math Skills that Prepare Children with Down Syndrome for Addition – Mercy for Marthas

Teaching Math to Students with Down syndrome

Math – Down Syndrome Resource Foundation

Let’s wrap it up by talking about SMART goals!

I’ve mentioned Dr. Shelley Moore before. She has redefined SMART goals for the Inclusive Education world. Here is a short video with her new plan for SMART goals and how we can make them so much more relevant for students with Individual Education Plans. I created the graphic after the video to highlight some key aspects of new SMART goals. Kids with Down syndrome will have IEP’s, which means they’ll have goals — goals about reading and math. Goals about how to develop life skills and independence. If we are going to go to all the work to develop goals, they might as well be SMART goals!

My little friend Annie…

My little friend Annie has been working on counting to 10. We’ve counted farm animals, steps, spoons, cheerios, jujubes (the favourite) and anything else that can be counted! I found this little ten-frame pop-it for her that offers her a tactile and visual experience to accompany her rote counting.

Reflection

The topics this week don’t just apply to Down syndrome. Communication is so important for all students and everyone. When kids can communicate their whole world opens up. Think of a young child who doesn’t have any speech or language skills — they cry, yell, point, grunt and get frustrated… when all they want is one more cookie! I remember the first time my daughter wanted one more cookie and was so upset when she couldn’t communicate her wants. In the moment I taught her the sign for “cookie” and she signed cookie. She immediately calmed down. Kids NEED a way to communicate their needs and wants.

I was frustrated this week with uploading images. There is a “gallery” feature which when you upload multiple photos shows them nicely organized side by side, however, on the actual blog page they are on top of each other. With the ASL signs that I uploaded I had to save that file as a MP4 video to get it to display like it did. I’m happy that I figured out an alternative that worked.