Down Syndrome Educational Alliance
The Down Syndrome Education Alliance strives to provide information, training, resources and supports by partnering with Bay Area educators who work with students with Down syndrome. We offer information regarding the general learning profile of individuals with Down syndrome and research-based best practices for educating them. The Alliance offers direct training, consultation, ability awareness presentations, and access to our curriculum, AAC and print libraries.
Want to learn more about the DSEA? Please see our brochure here.
Academic Resources
Number Skills for Children with Down Syndrome (5–11 years) This article provides a brief overview of information regarding the development of number skills within elementary students with Down syndrome.
Reading and Writing for Individuals with Down syndrome – An Overview, Sue Buckley
Reading and writing for children with Down syndrome (5–11 years), Buckley, Beadman and Bird
Reading and Writing for Teenagers with Down Syndrome (11-16 years), Gillian Bird & Sue Buckley
Communication Resources
The Importance of Home/School Communication – Benefits and tips on effective home-school school communication.
Speech, Language and Communication for Individuals with Down Syndrome – An Overview, Sue Buckley
Apps for Special Educators – Apps by education-related categories and recommended by special educators
Daily News Log – Track behavior, favorite things, bathroom news, etc.
Daily Assignment Log – Track assignments by subject and track due dates, etc.
School/Home Daily Log – Tell parents the highlights, successes and challenges of the day, etc.
Speech and Language on the IEP – Strategies for developing goals
Academic Resources
More Information
Number Skills for Children with Down Syndrome (5–11 years) This article provides a brief overview of information regarding the development of number skills within elementary students with Down syndrome.
Reading and Writing for Individuals with Down syndrome – An Overview, Sue Buckley
Reading and writing for children with Down syndrome (5–11 years), Buckley, Beadman and Bird
Reading and Writing for Teenagers with Down Syndrome (11-16 years), Gillian Bird & Sue Buckley
Communication Resources
More Information
The Importance of Home/School Communication – Benefits and tips on effective home-school school communication.
Daily News Log – Track behavior, favorite things, bathroom news, etc.
Daily Assignment Log – Track assignments by subject and track due dates, etc.
School/Home Daily Log – Tell parents the highlights, successes and challenges of the day, etc.
For more information about Augementative Alternative Communication Resources, click here.
Communication for the Team
More Information
Speech and Language on the IEP – Strategies for developing goals
Speech, Language and Communication for Individuals with Down Syndrome – An Overview, Sue Buckley
Apps for Special Educators – Apps by education-related categories and recommended by special educators
Tips for the Team
•Tips for Including Children with Down Syndrome
•Ten Tips for General Educators – This handout delineates ten quick and easy things that classroom teachers can do to include students with disabilities in the classroom from day one.
•Ten Tips for Paraeducators – In the fast-paced school setting, paraeducators often embark upon classroom duties without the guidance they need. This handout describes simple suggestions for classroom aides to help them promote active participation and the independence of students with disabilities.
•Ten Tips for Special Educators – Collaborate, communicate and promote the participation of diverse students in the classroom. This handout describes simple strategies for learning specialists and special education teachers.
•Ten Tips for Administrators – Share this brief list of suggestions with school administrators and enable the principal or assistant principal to promote the active participation of students with disabilities in the regular education classroom.
•Ten Tips for Therapists – Keep students in the classroom and meet therapeutic objectives. Follow the advice on this tip sheet designed for speech-language pathologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists.
•Ten Tips for Caregivers – This tip sheet offers suggestions to parents and caregivers to help improve their ability to work with professionals and others on the school-based team.
•Ten Tips for Assistive Techies – Follow the commonsense guidelines on this handout and get people to actually use computers and augmentative communication devices in the classroom!
The Bridge Newsletter
More Information
The Bridge Newsletters
1st EDITION - Ds Specialist Tips/ Setting the Stage for Friendships
2nd EDITION - Communication
3rd EDITION - IEP Tips
4th EDITION - Summer Is Coming!
5th EDITION - Back to School
6th EDITION - Successful Home & School Communication
7th EDTION - Inclusion
8th EDITION - Vision & Cognition
9th EDITION - IEPs
Your New Student
More Information
My Teacher Matters – This motivating piece is great to give out to teachers and providers who are working with children with Down syndrome. It speaks to the positive power and influence that educators can have in working with any child with special needs.
Getting to Know Me – "Getting to Know Me" is a booklet that educators can give to parents when school starts. When filled out, this booklet allows teachers and providers to get to know a bit more about the student than is in a typical IEP. Sections of this book can also provide a platform for introducing the student to his/her classmates, especially if the student doesn't have the communication skills to do so verbally.
