Recordings of all of the online briefings in our research series are now freely available for viewing on demand. These briefings offer an insight into ongoing DownsEd studies and our overall research strategy.
Over the past 30 years, developmental and educational research (conducted by us and others) has increased what is known about the learning difficulties experienced by people with Down syndrome. This research has improved teaching techniques and transformed education for many thousands of young people with Down syndrome today. However, much remains to do. Many important questions remain unanswered and many specific interventions have not been sufficiently evaluated. Our online events present our current research activities and discuss how we are working to answer critical questions about development and education for children with Down syndrome.
What research has delivered for people with Down syndrome and what it might deliver in the future?
In this session, Professor Sue Buckley OBE explores how research has delivered benefits for people with Down syndrome living today and examines what future research might deliver for them and future generations. View recording... | View handouts...
Research progress at Down Syndrome Education International – current projects and future priorities
In this session, Sue Buckley describes current research studies being funded or undertaken by Down Syndrome Education International. These include investigations into reading instruction in school, early reading and phonology, signing and communication, the emergence of autistic and autistic-like behavioural profiles, attention skills, and more. View recording... | View handouts...
Is autism being over-diagnosed? What do we learn from early autism screening?
An increasing number of children with Down syndrome are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Diagnostic assessments look for a lack of social engagement behaviours such as pointing, sharing attention and for the persistence of unusual behaviours such as repetitive behaviours. It is not known at what ages these social behaviours are typically seen in children with Down syndrome – so it is difficult to determine if delays in social engagement behaviour are due to Down syndrome or due to autism. It is also unclear how many children with Down syndrome show some of the other repetitive behaviours, how long they last and what significance they have for development. In this session, Sue Buckley discusses these issues and describes the ongoing studies that we are conducting to explore these questions. View recording...
What are we learning about the links between signing and speaking?
The use of sign to teach communication and spoken language has long been encouraged with children with Down syndrome, though there is a lack of clear evidence supporting its effectiveness. In this session, Sue Buckley describes an ongoing study that is investigating the use of signs and their impact on spoken language. View recording...
Developing and evaluating a classroom reading and language intervention - progress one year on
Last year, in partnership with colleagues at the Centre for Language and Reading at the University of York, UK, we began work on a landmark study of a carefully structured language and reading intervention, that was designed for use in schools. This multicentre, randomised control trial of an educational intervention – the first of its kind – will offer a high standard of evidence about the effectiveness of these teaching approaches. This project is being funded by the UK Big Lottery Fund. If the intervention is successful, this study will deliver a packaged reading and language programme for use with children with Down syndrome in schools. In this session, Dr Kelly Burgoyne describes the study, the intervention and reports on progress during the first year of the study. View recording... | View handouts...
Join us live for future research briefings
Can we improve children's working memory skills? - results of a small training study and next steps
Presented by Stephanie Bennett
We have started a pilot to investigate a computer-based memory training programme. Research has shown that this programme benefits other children with working memory delays. These studies should help to identify effective methods for improving working memory skills that are central to many aspects of speech, language and general cognitive abilities. Register to attend...
Dates and times:
- Thursday, 17 June 2010 17:00 London BST (18:00 Paris, 12.00pm New York, 9.00am Los Angeles)
- Friday, 18 June 2010 09:00 London BST (18:00 Sydney, 13:30 New Delhi, 11:00 Moscow, 10:00 Paris)
Can we improve children's problem solving skills? - pilot data and future plans
Presented by Stephanie Bennett
Problem-solving and thinking skills are usually delayed relative to social competence among children with Down syndrome. The difficulties experienced may lead some children to avoid some tasks and be reluctant to engage in learning. With partners at Colorado State University, USA, we are embarking on studies to evaluate parent-delivered interventions designed to improve thinking and problem-solving abilities among preschool children with Down syndrome. If successful, these trials will improve early problem-solving skills and help promote engagement in learning tasks. Register to attend...
Dates and times:
- Wednesday, 7 July 2010 09:30 London BST (18:30 Sydney, 14:00 New Delhi, 11:30 Moscow, 10:30 Paris)
- Wednesday, 7 July 2010 18:00 London BST (20:00 Moscow, 19:00 Paris, 1.00pm New York, 10.00am Los Angeles)
Nurse practitioner in Adult Down syndrome clinic: 30-60 year old patients with DS who need mental stimulation. What techniques available to provide parents and caregivers??
Posted by: Donna LeBlanc, MSN, FNP | 02 July 2010 at 17:04