'Essentials' Track - Adolescence (11-16 Years)

This one-day 'Essentials' track provides an overview of the issues relevant to young people with Down syndrome from 11 to 16 years of age and illustrates effective ways to support development at home and at school. This 'Essentials' track is particularly suitable for families.

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Clear information and guidance for families

Through this 'Essentials' track, delegates learn about:

• the latest relevant research findings that indicate effective ways to help young people with Down syndrome learn during their adolescence (11 to 16 years)
• how we can use this research evidence to develop practical methods and activities to promote their education and development

In the last 15 years, scientific research has demonstrated that young people with Down syndrome usually have a particular pattern of learning strengths and weaknesses, and that teaching and therapy approaches are more effective when designed using this information.

The keynote presentations illustrate how this research information provides guiding principles for effective therapy and education approaches in each area of development and education from 11 to 16 years. The workshop sessions provide information about practical methods and activities to be applied in the home and in school settings.

We have designed the content of this track to take account of the wide range of abilities present in children with Down syndrome from 11 to 16 years - i.e., both age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate guidance is provided.

Each presentation also provides delegates with a guide to further reading and useful resources.

Content

Session summaries

Delegates on this track attend all of the following keynote and breakout sessions:

Keynote sessions

1. How can we best help our children and young people to achieve their potential?
   • What does research tell us about their strengths, challenges and learning needs?
   • How can we use this information to improve their speech, language, academic and social progress?
   • Are adapted teaching methods based on this information effective?
2. Looking forward - how do we support full inclusion and meaningful lives?
   • Planning for full and meaningful lives.
   • The world of school and community - how to encourage friendships and social inclusion in school and in the community. 
   • The role of inclusive education. 
   • Preparing for adult independence.
   • How to identify demands and to take care of the whole family now and in future years.

Breakout sessions

1. Developing speech, language and communication skills at home
   • Goals for speech, language and communication skills development during teenage years.
   • How to identify the current stage your teenager is at.
   • How to promote speech, language and memory development in daily communication.
   • Addressing the social communication needs of teenagers.
   • Additional games and activities that will help.
2. Supporting friendships, social development and managing behaviour
   • Encouraging friendships and making full use of community resources for inclusion.
   • Using peer support - friends, brothers, sisters and cousins.
   • The role of sports, leisure and community activities.
   • Strategies to encourage age-appropriate behaviour and to avoid 'difficult' behaviours.
   • Strategies to change unwanted behaviours.
3. Developing maths and memory skills
   • The range of number skills at 12 years.
   • A guide to the steps in understanding number, counting and calculating.
   • Games and activities to teach more number skills.
   • Games and activities to teach money, measurement and time.
   • Memory games, improving everyday memory and visual supports for planning and remembering.
4. Developing literacy skills
   • Effective ways to get reading started.
   • How to use reading activities to develop spoken language skills.
   • The benefits of supported literacy.

Please note: Down Syndrome Education International reserves the right to alter this planned programme and the content of each session, if necessary, in order to provide the best possible service to conference delegates.

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Feedback

Read and watch feedback from professionals and families who have attended our Education Conferences.

"truly inspirational and positive"..."well presented and organised"..."fantastic" feedback on our conferences...

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Further information

• Venues and Booking page
• One day 'Essentials' tracks
• Two day 'In Depth' tracks
• Feedback from delegates
• Hosting a conference
• Down Syndrome Education Conferences home page