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 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 parents and school staff collaborate to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) tailored to the child.
Inclusive Education Practices
To achieve a truly inclusive education system, all students, regardless of any disability, must be given the opportunity to be included in all aspects of school life. Recommended practices include scheduling “brain breaks” as whole-class activities, using visual learning aids alongside verbal instructions (around 80 percent of students with Down syndrome have conductive hearing loss), limiting the number of concepts introduced at one time, and considering thoughtful classroom placement with a designated sensory-break space.
Partner Highlights
We are celebrating by highlighting two partner organizations that improve the lives of those with intellectual differences: the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida and The Arc of Palm Beach County — part of a focus area toward which we donated over $200,000 this year.
Meet George! George is a dedicated participant in The Arc of Palm Beach County’s Supported Employment Program, where he has been part of the maintenance crew for over ten years. George is passionate about writing poetry and recently published his second book, Poetry in Motion. Individuals with Down syndrome are capable of extraordinary accomplishments, and George’s journey as an author shows the potential that exists when we focus on abilities rather than limitations.
The Arc of Palm Beach County supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, promoting inclusion, independence, and empowerment.
The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida enhances the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families through advocacy, education, and community engagement. One of its most popular programs is iCan! Bike: since 2011, this five-day camp has given individuals with Down syndrome and other unique abilities the opportunity to learn to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle. Only 10–12 percent of people with Down syndrome learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle, according to a University of Michigan research study. As one mother put it: “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 — approximately 1 in 700 babies is born with Down syndrome — it is also the least funded major genetic condition. By supporting organizations like The Arc of Palm Beach County 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.
Get Involved
- Best Buddies Friendship Program — bestbuddies.org/friendship
- The Arc of Palm Beach County volunteers — arcpbc.org/volunteer
- Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida — dsfflorida.org