Our history
Down Syndrome Education International has been at the heart of
educational research and support for young people with Down syndrome for
30 years.
Our work began in 1979 through a research project investigating
reading that was led by Sue Buckley, a psychologist and mother of a
child who has Down syndrome.
This research project had been inspired by
a letter from the father of Sarah Duffen, a child with Down syndrome,
who wrote to Sue Buckley about his success in teaching his
daughter to read from the age of 3 years.
At the time, Sarah Duffen's
reading ability was considered highly unusual, but Sue's initial
research project demonstrated that many children with Down syndrome can
learn to read from any early age.
Over the last 30 years, our work has led to
many key advancements in research and education for individuals with
Down syndrome.
Scientific research that helps to improve
life for young people with Down syndrome and their families has remained
central to our work ever since.
Our research discovers how Down syndrome makes some aspects of learning
more difficult.
We use this knowledge to develop improved teaching
methods to share with families and organisations across the UK and
around the world though our
publishing,
training,
advice,
education and
consulting services. Our
teaching methods can transform the achievements of young people with Down
syndrome, creating new opportunities to live more fulfilling lives.
Find out more
Find out more about our: