Education

Looking for a Down Syndrome Specialist for Your School?

A Down Syndrome Specialist is an educator trained by the DSAGSL to help facilitate the education of students with Down syndrome in your school district. The DSAGSL is currently recruiting for the 2008-2009 school year.  If you are interested, contact the DSAGSL to get a brochure or download a copy here.  Share the brochure with your school district’s Special Education administrator. If your school district is interested, provide appropriate contact information to the DSAGSL.  An application package will be sent.  The deadline is April 15, 2008.

Down Syndrome Specialist Partnership Program

Purpose: The Down Syndrome Specialist Partnership Program is a joint effort between Greater St. Louis area schools and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DSAGSL).  The goal of the partnership is to provide support for educators and families seeking to build a meaningful education for students with Down syndrome.

Overview: The DSAGSL recognizes that many educators feel the need for support and information concerning the educational needs of students with Down syndrome. The Down Syndrome Specialist Partnership Program is designed to specifically address this need. Teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, and administrators learn how various aspects of Down syndrome can affect the learning process. This program will provide techniques, approaches, and materials that have been shown to be successful for students with Down syndrome. The Partnership Program also aims to bridge the communication gap between parents and educators through exchange of perspectives and information.

The Down Syndrome Specialist

Because each school district is different in size and culture, the Down Syndrome Specialist may play a variety of roles. The DSAGSL asks that in return for training, the Down Syndrome Specialists will:

• serve to educate teachers and families concerning the learning needs of students with Down syndrome,
• serve as a resource for strategies and information concerning curriculum modifications and adaptations,
• serve as a facilitator for appropriate inclusion of students with Down syndrome in the school community and/or general education classroom,
• serve as a resource for ability awareness training within the school district,
• alert educators and parents of training opportunities at the DSAGSL,
• serve as a vehicle for distribution of information concerning the Down syndrome community, and, as appropriate, help to facilitate open discussion among parents and educators.

Training

There are four 2-1/2 hour trainings over the course of one school year. The topics covered are:

• •What is Down syndrome? Health issues and related issues that get in the way of learning
• • Strategies for Inclusion of Students with Down Syndrome “When and Why;” Abilities Awareness Education; Communication issues; Behavior; Safety concerns; Social Opportunities
• • Curriculum Modifications and Adaptations for Students with Down Syndrome Learning objectives vs. IEP Goals; Team communication and planning; Auxiliary Materials
• • Problem Solving: Resources, Ideas and Finding a Middle Ground“ Keeping an eye on the prize;” What to do when the “fires are raging”

Follow-Up

Specialists will be invited to participate in periodic trainings and will continue to receive news from the DSAGSL.

Program Benefits

• During the training year, Specialists will receive free admission to the DSAGSL Family Conference.
• Specialists will receive the DSAGSL newsletter, other mailings and Friday email Blast.
• Specialists will receive materials to help teachers and parents in their efforts to educate students with Down syndrome.
• This program has been approved for Continuing Education Credit by The College of Education's Division of Teaching and Learning at University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL).

How to be come a Down Syndrome Specialist

Who can be a specialist?

A teacher, therapist, paraprofessional, or school/district administrator.

How can a school district join the program?

Parents of students with Down syndrome may nominate their school/district. Schools/districts may also nominate themselves. Schools/districts will complete an application and sign a letter of agreement.

Is there other training for teachers other than the Specialist Program?

The DSAGSL offers:

• • Saturday Seminar Series
• • Family Conference
• • On-site in-service training

Click here to download Down Syndrome Specialist Brochure 

Contact the DSAGSL for further information.

Phone: 314-961-2504 Fax: 314-989-1579

E-mail: info@dsagsl.org