What we do

We work across the UK and around the world to improve understanding and to improve the quality of support and education for young people living with Down syndrome.

Scientific research

Scientific research is at the heart of what we do. For 30 years, we have improved understanding of the condition and identified effective teaching methods that deliver marked improvements in speech, language and cognition. Our ongoing research programmes continue to pioneer new ways to support development and learning for young people with Down syndrome.

Online information and advice services

Our online information and advice services offer comprehensive, current and evidence-based information and guidance. Through our web sites and interactive online services, we support thousands of families and professionals around the world every week.

Publications

We publish books, journals, films and teaching materials that provide comprehensive and reliable information and advice to families, professionals and researchers throughout the world. We supply our own publications and other recommended products through our online stores.

Conferences and training

We host education conferences for families and professionals at venues around the world, provide expert training services to schools, support groups and other organisations, and offer regular learning courses and seminars online.

Consulting and assessments

We offer independent, expert consulting and assessment services to families, government organisations, schools and nonprofits worldwide.

Advice services

We offer a wide range of ways for families, professionals and organisations to obtain evidence-based information and advice to meet their individual needs. These include our email discussion groups and our online advice sessions.

Early intervention and school inclusion services

We provide an early intervention service for preschool children and their families living with 70 miles of The Sarah Duffen Centre in Portsmouth, UK and support for schools including children with Down syndrome in regular classrooms in Portsmouth. We also work closely with DownsEd USA and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County in the provision of their Learning Program for children who have Down syndrome.

Global outreach

We work with partners around the world to improve support for people with Down syndrome and their families living in low and middle income countries.