Down Syndrome Education Enterprises News

Early Booking Discount Period for London Education Conference ends on 3 July

You can still save up to £115 (€137/$184) per delegate for the Down Syndrome Education Conference London 2009 by booking by Friday 3 July 2009. The conference will offer expert, practical guidance for families and professionals.

Comprehensive, evidence-based information and guidance

The Down Syndrome Education Conference London 2009 takes place on 1-3 October 2009. It will offer comprehensive information about all aspects of development and education for young people who have Down syndrome. Keynotes and breakout sessions provide up-to-date overviews of current knowledge and illustrate effective teaching techniques, with targeted tracks covering the nursery, primary and secondary years, and speech and language development.

"A really good day all round. Approachable team, very interesting and informative. Lovely hotel. We need more events like this." Parent

"Truly inspirational and positive"

Participants at the first Down Syndrome Education Conference, held in June in Manchester, England, praised the event as "truly inspirational and positive", "well presented and organised", "practical" and "fantastic". The event drew families and professionals from throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and from Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

"The conference has been very beneficial. I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge which I can communicate to colleagues. Helpful practical suggestions which will enable me to feel more confident in my support and teaching. It has been very relevant to me." Learning Support Assistant

Early booking discount period ending soon

Save up to £115 (€137/$184) per delegate by booking early:

• London (Heathrow), England, 1-3 October 2009 (Early Booking Discount period expires 3 July 2009)

"Well organised, extremely informative. I feel a lot more aware now about the different issues involved in Down syndrome." Speech and Language Therapist

Further information

For further information, please visit our web site.

For bookings, please book online, or call our events office (UK office hours) on +44 (0)1323 637718, fax +44 (0)1323 637777 or email downsed@confpeople.co.uk

Book now for "inspirational" Down Syndrome Education Conferences

Only a few weeks remain of the early booking discount periods for the Down Syndrome Education Conferences in London, England, and in Newport Beach, California, later this year. The conferences offer expert, practical guidance for families and professionals.

"Truly inspirational and positive"

Participants at the first Down Syndrome Education Conference, held last week in Manchester, England, praised the event as "truly inspirational and positive", "well presented and organised", "practical" and "fantastic". The event drew families and professionals from throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and from Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

"Really enjoyed the conference. I have never been to a conference that I have found so gripping. The passion and commitment of the speakers has been inspirational." Parent

Comprehensive, evidence-based information and guidance

Down Syndrome Education International's conferences offer comprehensive information about all aspects of development and education for young people who have Down syndrome. We provide up-to-date overviews of current knowledge and illustrate effective teaching techniques.

"The conference has been very beneficial. I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge which I can communicate to colleagues. Helpful practical suggestions which will enable me to feel more confident in my support and teaching. It has been very relevant to me." Learning Support Assistant

The conferences include targeted tracks covering the nursery/kindergarten, primary/elementary and secondary/high school years, offering unique opportunities for support, advice and professional development.

"A really good day all round. Approachable team, very interesting and informative. Lovely hotel. We need more events like this." Parent

Benefits include:

• Targeted training for professionals - A selection of two-day tracks provide in-depth professional training and skills development for teachers, teaching assistants, Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, other health and education professionals, and families seeking detailed information.
• Clear information and guidance for families - A selection of one-day tracks give families a comprehensive overview of the issues relevant to their child and illustrate effective ways to support development at home and at school.
• Age-specific tracks - Tracks are offered to provide detailed information specific to early years (0-5), primary/elementary school years (5-11) and secondary/high school years (11-16).
• Evidence-based advice from experts - Our conferences are presented by leading experts from Down Syndrome Education International.

Early bookings discount periods ending soon

Save by booking early for the forthcoming events:

• London (Heathrow), England, 1-3 October 2009 (Early Booking Discount period expires 3 July 2009)
• Newport Beach, California, USA, 5-7 November 2009 (Early Booking Discount period expires 7 August 2009)

"Well organised, extremely informative. I feel a lot more aware now about the different issues involved in Down syndrome." Speech and Language Therapist

Further information

For further information, please visit our web site.

For bookings, please book online, or call our events office (UK office hours) on +44 (0)1323 637718, fax +44 (0)1323 637777 or email downsed@confpeople.co.uk

New See and Learn Language and Reading kits available

Ready-to-use See and Learn Language and Reading kits are now available to order online from Down Syndrome Education International.

Effective support for early language development

The See and Learn Language and Reading programme provides instructions, materials and checklists to help families effectively support their child's early language development.

Step-by-step activities

The first three steps in the programme teach early vocabulary using carefully structured activities. The activities present visual language teaching techniques using clear pictures and written words. These evidence-based techniques help children with Down syndrome to learn language more successfully.

Evidence-based visual teaching methods

The activities in the See and Learn Language and Reading programme are based on research showing significant benefits from visual approaches and the use of early reading to teach language. Early language and reading activities can improve spoken speech and language, memory, literacy, wider cognitive development and later academic achievement. They have been developed by expert professionals with many years of experience teaching young children with Down syndrome.

Freely available online

Down Syndrome Education International's See and Learn programmes are freely available online at www.see-and-learn.org.

Convenient, ready-to-use kits

Ready-to-use See and Learn kits offer the convenience of premade guides, checklists, picture and word cards, reading books and other teaching materials in a plastic storage box. The resources are printed in full, high quality colour, with materials printed on card and cut ready for use straight out of the box.

Three kits are available:

• See and Learn First Word Pictures - the first step in the See and Learn Language and Reading programme teaches the first 60 words using matching, naming and selecting activities
• See and Learn First Written Words - the second step in the See and Learn Language and Reading programme uses reading as a support to language development introducing 16 written words and 34 two key word phrases
• See and Learn More Word Pictures - the third step in the See and Learn Language and Reading programme teaches a further 55 words using matching, naming and selecting activities

Each kit is available separately, or all three kits can also be purchased in a convenient, money-saving See and Learn Language and Reading First Steps At Home set.

Supporting research and employing people with Down syndrome

Purchases of ready-to-use See and Learn kits support future scientific research and See and Learn programme development. See and Learn kits are made by the DownsEd production team, many of whom have Down syndrome.

UK edition shipping from 10 June

Kits containing the UK English editions of the first three steps in the See and Learn Language and Reading programme can now be ordered via our international online store.

US edition online and shipping in July

Developed in partnership with the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County and Down Syndrome Education USA, the US English edition of the first three steps in the See and Learn Language and Reading programme will be online and shipping in July.

The US edition kits can be preordered now from our international online store and will also be available from our US online store which opens in early July.

New visiting training services launched

Down Syndrome Education International has launched a new portfolio of visiting training services designed to better meet the needs of schools, education districts, support groups and associations.

Our training events focus on providing families and professionals with the evidence-based information they need to offer the best support for children and young people with Down syndrome. We offer a selection of prepared programmes, carefully designed to meet the needs of different audiences, children's age groups and address different topic areas.

The new training portfolio offers a choice of days covering key topics for different age groups, issues in depth including speech, language and literacy, and meeting family needs. Each training event includes a carefully selected range of sessions across a cohesive set of topics.

We have also introduced a new, simpler, all-inclusive fee structure, with fixed fees per member of staff delivering services based on the duration and location of the visit. We offer training and consulting services worldwide.

Down Syndrome Education International is the ideal training partner for schools, nonprofit and governmental organisations, professionals and families. As a leader in scientific research examining the developmental needs of young people with Down syndrome and as a direct service provider, we are able to share unique expertise and experience.

Our training services are operated through Down Syndrome Education Enterprises, a wholly owned social enterprise. Any proceeds from these activities are reinvested in future research and information services benefitting young people with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals supporting them.

• Find out more about our training services...

Booking now open for Newport Beach, California conference

Booking is now open for the Down Syndrome Education Conference Newport Beach, November 5-7, 2009. Save up to $200 per delegate by booking by August 7.

Join us in Newport Beach, California, for the first Down Syndrome Education Conference in the United States. Conveniently located for access from across North America, the conference will offer families and professionals the latest evidence-based information and guidance from our expert team.

The new Down Syndrome Education Conferences offer high quality, evidence-based guidance and information for professionals and families and are offered at locations around the world. These unique events cover motor, cognitive, social, language, literacy and numeracy development from birth, presenting up-to-date overviews of current knowledge and illustrating evidence-based, effective teaching techniques and approaches for people with Down syndrome.

This event is organised by Down Syndrome Education USA.

• Find out more about the Down Syndrome Education Conferences...
• Book now for the Down Syndrome Education Conference Newport Beach 2009...

Supporters' Club Discount: Family, Professional and Organisation Supporters' Club Members save a further 10% on delegate fees at Down Syndrome Education Conferences.

Manchester conference early booking discount period extended

Save up to £115 by booking places now for the Down Syndrome Education Conference Manchester from 4 to 6 June, 2009. The early booking discount period has been extended to 3 April.

The new Down Syndrome Education Conferences offer high quality, evidence-based guidance and information for professionals and families and are offered at locations around the world. These unique events cover motor, cognitive, social, language, literacy and numeracy development from birth, presenting up-to-date overviews of current knowledge and illustrating evidence-based, effective teaching techniques and approaches for people with Down syndrome.

• Find out more about the Down Syndrome Education Conferences...
• Book now for the Down Syndrome Education Conference Manchester 2009...

Supporters' Club Discount: Family, Professional and Organisation Supporters' Club Members save a further 10% on delegate fees at Down Syndrome Education Conferences.

POPS Reading Resources now available

The POPs Reading Programme is now available from the DownsEd International online shop. The programme supports an integrated approach to learning to read.

Designed with advice from Down Syndrome Education International psychologists and therapists, it is supported by Word Cards, Phonic Sets and Educational Games to foster achievement through success and praise. The resources progress in small easy steps and are designed to be easily adaptable to meet individual learning needs.

High frequency and everyday topic words are revisited frequently in text and games in every book. The story lines in the books build a child’s vocabulary, by introducing new words gradually in a range of contexts to reinforce their meaning. The story lines equip the child with functional words for use in general day to day communication. Over 85% of the words used in the Red Elephant Series are revisited in the Blue Elephant Series to consolidate and revise.

The programme supports children who are strong visual learners with clear uncluttered illustrations and large easy to read text. Every book has a set of Word Cards to play lotto, comprehension and sentence completion games and to use in “Name, Match and Select” activities.

The predictable format of the books supports children who need structure and routine in their learning environment. The books start with a Shared Reading Page to be read to your child to develop their fluency and confidence in reading and also to set the scene of the story to come. The ending of each story relates back to the pair and share page so that there is a defined start middle and end sequence.

• Find out more about POPs Resources at the POPs web site...
• Buy online from the DownsEd International Shop... (10%-15% off for Supporters' Club members)

New series of international education conferences announced

Down Syndrome Education International has announced a new global programme of Down Syndrome Education Conferences, offering expert information and training for families and professionals. With targeted tracks covering the nursery/kindergarten, primary/elementary and secondary/high school years, these new conferences offer unique opportunities for support, advice and professional development.

Conferences in Manchester and London in the UK and in Irvine, California, USA in 2009 have been announced with future dates and venues to be announced shortly. Book today for early booking discounts...

The new Down Syndrome Education Conferences offer high quality, evidence-based guidance and information for professionals and families. These unique events cover motor, cognitive, social, language, literacy and numeracy development from birth, presenting up-to-date overviews of current knowledge and illustrating evidence-based, effective teaching techniques and approaches for people with Down syndrome.

• Find out more...

New international online shop launched

Down Syndrome Education International has launched a new online store, offering families, professionals and researchers around the world opportunities to order selected resources 24 hours, 7 days per week. The charity's full range of publications are available through the store, along with selected books, DVDs and teaching materials from other publishers.

The store offers full details of all available publications and pricing in choice of three currencies (UK Pounds, Euros and US Dollars). Credit or debit card payments are accepted through HSBC Bank, offering robust reassurance of secure transaction processing.

Among the available publications are DownsEd's comprehensive range of Down Syndrome Issues and Information books on reading, speech and language, memory, social development, education, family issues and adult living. Also featured are the charity's Down Syndrome in Practice films on development for babies, early speech and language activities and school inclusion.

The online store is operated by the charity's wholly owned trading subsidiary, Down Syndrome Education Enterprises Limited. Proceeds from sales support future charitable research and services.

• Visit the new online shop at http://shop.downsed.com/

Announcing Down Syndrome Education Enterprises

Down Syndrome Education Enterprises (formerly DownsEd Limited) is the primary-purpose income-earning subsidiary of Down Syndrome Education International. We sell DownsEd publications, including books, films and teaching materials, and recommended products from other publishers. We also sell DownsEd training and services, including bespoke workshops and consultancy.

We employ young people who have learning disabilities in our print production workshop in the UK from where we distribute products to order internationally. We also have a growing US-based distribution operation.

We believe in socially responsible business. We are wholly owned by the UK-based charity, Down Syndrome Education International. We supply quality products and services that assist people with Down syndrome, their families and the education and healthcare professionals supporting them. Profits from our income-earning activities are reinvested or donated to our parent charity.

Latest training news - April 2008

2008 looks like being another record year for the charity's training services. In the first three months of the year, members of the charity's team of psychologists and speech therapists have provided training courses attended by over 750 parents and professionals across the UK and overseas. The charity's busy schedule of training looks set to continue for the rest of the year, with a full programme of training courses at The Sarah Duffen Centre and many more events worldwide.

A busy start - January to March 2008

Meeting the needs of babies and young children from birth to 5 years

We have enjoyed a busy first quarter for external training which started by travelling to Leicester on New Year’s Day to provide training about meeting the needs of babies and young children from birth to three years at the National Space Centre in Leicester. During the first few months of 2008 we also provided this popular training day for professionals and parents on the Isle of Wight and in Barking and Dagenham. All of these events were organised by the respective Early Years Services and we thank them for arranging these for their staff and local parents.

The charity's involvement with Early Support training for 2008 started in March in Derby with an event organised by the National Portage Association. We have three other events organised by Early Years Services in Tower Hamlets (London), and Maidenhead in Berkshire during the rest of the year.

We also delivered training on meeting the needs of children aged three to five years with the Isle of Wight Early Years Service and bespoke training in Islington (London) and New Milton (Hampshire). The training in Islington was commissioned by local support group Downright Excellent, and in Hampshire by The New Milton Opportunity Group.

These events for meeting the needs of babies and young children with Down syndrome reached 375 parents and professionals during January, February and March.

Meeting the needs of children in the primary and secondary age ranges

We provided training at two events on the needs children aged 5 to 11 years and children aged 11-16 years for parents and professionals in Norway, and one event for educational psychologists and speech and language therapists in Fleet, Hampshire, organised by Hampshire Local Authority.

We also delivered training for parents and professionals in Teddington (London), organised by local support group 21 and Co., with a focus on speech and language development in the primary age range.

These events for school age children reached 420 people, making a total of 795 parent and professional participants in training events during January, February and March.

Looking forward - April to December 2008

WWe commenced our series of hosted training workshops on key topics, issues in depth and skills in depth in March and these will continue through to December on Mondays at The Sarah Duffen Centre in Portsmouth. These affect our availability for training at other locations and so our external training from April to December 2008 will be reduced by comparison with our first quarter.

We continue from April with a busy schedule of training at The Sarah Duffen Centre and external training in Denbighshire (Wales), West Cork (Ireland), Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire), Worthing (West Sussex), Washington (USA), Caterham (Surrey) and in Moscow (Russia). We will also be participating in conferences in Bahrain and in Boston (USA) during May and July.

We have training arranged with local support groups in Ireland, London and Cornwall for early 2009.

Expanding our reach

We are currently reviewing our training for 2009 and beyond so as to make a difference for people with Down syndrome and their families in many social, educational and political environments and will share our plans with you through our Training News.

We look forward to hearing from you, so please continue to e-mail our training mail box.

Find out more

• View a list of our forthcoming training events...
• Find out more about our training services...