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Two more books on social skills and motor skills from DownsEd's authoritative Down Syndrome Issues and Information education series are now available for free online on Down Syndrome Online. The... Read more...
Three books on number skills development for children with Down syndrome from birth through teenage years are now available for free online on Down Syndrome Online. These books are from... Read more...
Three books on speech and language development for children with Down syndrome from birth through teenage years are now available for free online on Down Syndrome Online. These books are... Read more...
The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services has praised Downsed's websites for providing open access to "a mass of material that will enrich the learning of anyone interested... Read more...
A combination of drugs recommended for depression and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder is being widely promoted as a "treatment" for Down syndrome. There is no scientific support for the... Read more...
This paper by Katheleen Gardiner reviews the challenges inherent in using mouse models in Down syndrome research and then describes the successful molecular/genetic interventions that are cause for cautious optimism.... Read more...
Spontaneity is an area of expressive language in children with Down syndrome that has received little attention in the literature. Nonverbal stimuli to which children emit spontaneous utterances do not... Read more...
Folate is an important vitamin that contributes to cell division and growth and is therefore of particular importance during infancy and pregnancy. Folate deficiency has been associated with slowed growth,... Read more...
Animal models are extensively used in genetics, neuroscience and biomedical research. In this article, Frank Buckley describves recent studies that illustrate the usefulness and the challenges of research utilising genetically... Read more...
Behavioural approaches can be used very effectively to teach new skills and to change behaviours that are challenging and not socially adaptive. In this article, Sue Buckley darws on several... Read more...
It has been known for a long while that children with Down syndrome have specific impairments in verbal shortterm memory. In this Update article, Sue Buckley describes research that indicates... Read more...
After a decade of inclusion and structured school programmes to facilitate friendships, many parents report that peer relationships end after school hours. In this article, Jeanne D'Haem summarises the results... Read more...
The transfer from primary to secondary education can be an anxious time and planning ahead can help. This article by teacher Elaine Bull offers practical advice about what to consider,... Read more...
A review by Julie Hughes of the Singing Hands Book of Songs and Song Time CD, Volumes 1 & 2. Full review available at: www.down-syndrome.org/resources/2082 Read more...
This article by Sue Sillitoe, first published in Nursery World magazine, reviews the Development in practice - Activities for babies with Down syndrome DVD video published by Down Syndrome Education... Read more...
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Recent highlights and features
Learning to learn
Aspects of short and long-term memory can
present challenges for people with Down syndrome. Some of these impact language
development and many other aspects of learning.
To what extent can we do something about these difficulties? Can practice improve
memory abilities? Past research suggests it is possible. What further research is
needed?
In the archives:
Reading
Reading is often a relative strength for
young people who have Down syndrome. Early reading can provide a useful support
for early language development.
Young people with Down syndrome are increasingly gaining useful reading skills.
Some are achieving age-typical reading skills. What accounts for wide variations
in progress? What further research is needed to identify the most effective ways
of teaching reading?
'Smart' mice
Mice that carry additional copies of genes
comparable to some of those present on human chromosome 21 have been shown to perform
better on memory tests when treated with drugs that target brain function. Could
this be an important breakthrough?
What are these genetically engineered mice and how do they help us understand the
condition experienced by humans who have Down syndrome?
Folate metabolism
It has been suggested that certain versions of some genes can increase the risk
of conceiving a baby with Down syndrome. If this is the case, then people who have
Down syndrome may be more likely to carry these versions of these genes and perhaps
experience associated problems in folate metabolism. Studies to date have found
conflicting results, suggesting that these gene variants may be part of a more complex
picture.
The costs of genetic screening policies
Despite the wide availability of prenatal
genetic screening and terminations, the rate at which babies who have Down syndrome
are being born is rising in England and Wales. Meanwhile, many babies that do not
have Down syndrome are lost following invasive testing.
An editorial in Down Syndrome Research and Practice
presents an analysis of national registry data and the issues raised by genetic
screening in practice. It is accompanied by a essay describing a mothers' experiences
of prenatal testing.
Seeing numbers
Understanding number concepts and basic
mathematical skills is important for many everyday activities in modern societies.
Little is understood about the numeracy abilities of people with Down syndrome.
However, some teaching approaches that seek to utilise certain relative strengths
to communicate number concepts seem to be useful in practice.