Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis

DOWN SYNDROME EDUCATION SPECIALIST PROGRAM

Current Participating School Districts and Organizations 
Click the above link for a pdf to see if your school or organization
currently participates in the Education Specialist program.

A Down Syndrome Education 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 2012-2013 school year. If your school district is interested, provide appropriate contact information to the DSAGSL. An application package will be sent.  

 

Program Purpose:The Down Syndrome Education Specialist 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 Education Specialist 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 Down Syndrome Education Specialist Program also aims to bridge the communication gap between parents and educators through exchange of perspectives and information.

The Down Syndrome Education Specialist

Because each school district is different in size and culture, the Down Syndrome Education Specialist may play a variety of roles.  Most participants are special educators, general educators, therapists, counselors, paraprofessionals and/or administrators. The DSAGSL asks that in return for training, the Down Syndrome Education 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 provided by 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 Sessions

Participants are required to commit to attend four training sessions, each five hours in length, over the course of one school year. The topics covered are: 

-  Down syndrome 101 – Understanding common health concerns and related issues that can inhibit
          learning and what research shows as best teaching strategies to educate individuals with
          Down syndrome
-  Behavior Solutions – Understanding behavior, techniques for assessing behavior and strategies for
          changing behavior
-  Curriculum Modifications and Adaptations – Understanding best teaching methods and to how to
          modify existing curriculum to best reach the student with Down syndrome
-  Inclusion and Social Skills Opportunities –Ways to enhance involvement in the school community for
          students with Down syndrome

  Please call the DSAGSL to be placed on the 2012-2013 roster!

This program has been approved for two Continuing Education Credits by The College of Education's Division of Teaching and Learning at University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL).