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Practice

Recent Practice articles

Handling the transfer to secondary school

The transfer to secondary education can be an anxious time and planning ahead can help. This article offers practical advice about what to consider, when to start planning and discusses many of the issues involved in the transition to later schooling. Written from the perspective of the English school system, many of the issues and principles are broadly applicable.

Special at school but lonely at home: An alternative friendship group for adolescents with Down syndrome

This article describes how and why parents and professionals should look beyond school based same age peer friendship groups and consider a community circle of mixed-age friends.

Katrina’s progress with learning mathematics

Katrina is 10 years old and has Down syndrome. She is making good progress with learning numbers and mathematics. We describe how Katrina has learned number concepts and arithmetic skills over several years. We highlight the influence of early learning habits, visual supports, motivation and practice, and the uses made of different number teaching schemes.

Sam’s progress with learning mathematics

Sam is 18 years old and has Down syndrome. This paper describes the part played in his success in school by the Kumon method of teaching mathematics, identifies the benefits of the small steps and lots of practice built in to the method and illustrates the way Sam applied his Kumon learning in school.

Teaching number skills and concepts with Stern Structural Arithmetic materials

This paper discusses the use of Stern teaching materials with children with Down syndrome. The theory underlying the design of the materials is discussed, the teaching approach and methodology are described and evidence supporting effectiveness is outlined.

Teaching number skills and concepts with Numicon materials

This paper discusses the use of Numicon number teaching materials with children with Down syndrome. The theory underlying the design of the materials is discussed, the teaching approach and methodology are described and evidence supporting effectiveness is outlined.


Practice papers are published in Down Syndrome Research and Practice. (Prior to 2007, Practice papers were published in Down Syndrome News and Update.)

For a complete list, please see the full index.