OCTOBER 11, 2024
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, an opportunity to promote understanding and appreciation. The month of awareness began in the 1980s, initiated by the National Down Syndrome Society. According to the CDC, there are approximately 400,000 individuals with Down syndrome living in the United States currently.
While students with intellectual differences, such as Down syndrome, have specific and unique educational needs, it's essential for them to be in traditional school settings alongside their peers. Once a child with Down syndrome is of school age, the public school system takes on the responsibility of providing education and meeting the child’s specific needs related to their disability. Parents and school staff will collaborate to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) tailored to the child.
Inclusive Education Practices
Similar to other intellectual and developmental disabilities, children with Down syndrome have distinct learning styles that may not align with conventional educational approaches. To achieve a truly inclusive education system, all students, regardless of any disability, must be given the opportunity to be included in all aspects and activities related to school life.
For students with disabilities, there can be both visible and hidden challenges that limit their ability to engage in different experiences. A podcast presented by the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data provides the following takeaways and suggestions for creating a more effective and inclusive learning environment for students with Down syndrome:
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Students with Down syndrome may benefit from “Brain breaks” throughout the day, so it is important to schedule these into the student’s routine. However, it is important to avoid making the student feel singled out, therefore it is recommended to make these breaks a whole class activity, and/or use a buddy system so that the child does not feel ostracized from their peers.
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Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a poor working memory, which may hinder their ability to follow instructions.
Furthermore, around 80 percent of students with down syndrome will have conductive hearing loss. To help aid these barriers, it is recommended to reduce auditory distractions and implement visual learning aids alongside verbal instructions.
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Additional recommendation is to limit the number of concepts introduced at one time. Give students time to fully process and understand each idea before moving on to the next. For students with Down syndrome, try to use shorter, clearer sentences with plenty of repetition to enhance understanding.
3. A student with Down syndrome’s physical placement in the classroom may also influence their learning processes. If possible, try to place the student further away from the door, in an area that limits distractions, but still allows the students to be engaged with their peers. It is also important to have a designated space that the student can retreat to, if they require a sensory break.
Kingdom Charitable Trust Partner Highlights
Here at Kingdom Charitable Trust, we are celebrating Down syndrome Awareness month by highlighting two of our partner organizations that aim to improve the lives of those with intellectual differences: The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida and The Arc of Palm Beach County. Both organizations are a part of our Literacy & Education focus area, for which we are proud to share we have donated over $200,000 towards this year, to various organizations.
Meet George!
George is a dedicated participant in The Arc of Palm Beach County's Supported Employment Program, where he has been a part of the maintenance crew for over ten years. George is an incredible example of what individuals with Down syndrome can achieve when given opportunities and support. George is passionate about writing poetry, He recently published his second book, Poetry in Motion! This publication is a testament to his passion and creativity and is a true reflection of his talent and achievements. Individuals with Down syndrome are capable of extraordinary accomplishments, and George's journey as an author shows us the potential that exists when we focus on abilities rather than limitations.
The ARC of Palm Beach County is an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Through a variety of programs and services, the ARC promotes inclusion, independence, and empowerment, helping individuals thrive in their communities. By fostering a spirit of community and engagement, the ARC of Palm Beach County plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive society.
Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida
The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida (DSF) is an impactful organization focused on enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, DSF strives to promote awareness and acceptance while providing vital resources and support.. By fostering a strong network of support, the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida plays an essential role in improving the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome, helping them reach their full potential and thrive within their communities.
iCan! Bike
One of Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida’s most popular programs is iCan! Bike. Since 2011, this five-day camp program allows individuals with Down syndrome and other unique abilities the opportunity to learn to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle.
“The iCan Bike camp is my favorite program for 13 years and counting, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers,” said Camille Gardiner, co-founder of Down Syndrome FOUNDATION of Florida.
The impact extends far beyond learning to ride a bike. It’s about accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Only 10-12 percent of people with Down syndrome learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle, according to a University of Michigan research study.
“It’s much more than a bike camp, it shows families of children with unique abilities all that is possible if given the opportunity to succeed,” Camille said. “It opens their minds in all the ways we may be limiting them and what more they can do if given the chance.”
The following quote comes from a mother describing the impact iCan! Bike had on her son, Johnathan:“It’s truly made a difference,” Lori said. “My son leaves with new confidence in himself, a sense of independence, the ability to try new things, and the knowledge that he can achieve things he once thought impossible.”
Awareness and Advocacy
Despite being the most frequent chromosomal disorder, with approximately 1 in 700 babies born with down syndrome, it is also the least funded major genetic condition. By supporting organizations like The Arc of Palm Beach and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida, Kingdom Charitable Trust hopes to bring more attention and awareness to individuals with Down Syndrome, and other intellectual differences. In the future, we hope to be able to provide more funding for Down syndrome research, with the end goal of creating a more inclusive society through understanding and education.
We hope this inspires others to get involved with Down syndrome awareness and appreciation. Some ideas to get involved include:
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Best Buddies Friendship Program
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A participant with IDD is paired with a person without IDD based on location and shared interest for at least one year of friendship.
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Buddies connect both online & by spending quality in-person time together
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Programs available for both youth & adults
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Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida Volunteer Form:
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The Arc of Palm Beach Volunteer Form:
https://ds-int.org
https://www.nccd.edu.au
https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/news/national-down-syndrome-awareness-month
https://arcpbc.org
https://dsfflorida.org
https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org
https://www.cdc.gov/birth-defects/about/down-syndrome.html
https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/iepguide.pdf