Down Syndrome Topics

This project will offer information and guidance summaries across the range of issues of concern to people with Down syndrome and those who support and care for them.

Education

The Down Syndrome Topics project will enable the Trust to meet the demand for accurate, reliable and up-to-date summaries on key issues affecting the development of individuals with Down syndrome from birth to adult life.

The project involves the production of a series of topic summaries. Each topic summary will provide the reader with a pertinent overview of an issue along with directions to more comprehensive information and resources. The topic summaries will provide a first line of enquiry into the Trust’s comprehensive information resources (such as Down Syndrome Issues and Information) as well as a route to recommended information resources elsewhere.

Each topic summary will be freely available to view and download at the Trust's Down Syndrome Online website. They will be closely integrated with the Down Syndrome Abstracts online service.

The topic summaries will cover various aspects of early intervention strategies, speech and language, cognitive development, motor skills, memory, reading and writing, number skills, social development, behavioural issues, inclusive education, and family issues. Development of the summaries will be prioritised based on the issues commonly encountered by our AdviceLine service and frequently observed in online discussion forums.

These topic summaries will be developed to complement, not replicate, the more general information leaflets provided by other Down syndrome organisations.

They will be written by members of the Trust’s expert services and research team (including psychologists and a speech and language specialists).

The summaries will then be made accessible via an interactive question-focused query system. Rather than relying on the person seeking advice knowing what words and phrases are likely in the appropriate answer, the question-focused system will aim to locate answers based on the question in mind.

Research

The project provides a mechanism for the Trust to share the practical outcomes of its research activities. Information about which topic summaries are the most frequently viewed will also help direct future research activities.

Impact

An enhanced advice service, providing more information on demand, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, to benefit a greater number of individuals with Down syndrome and their families worldwide.
Information and advice provided on the topic summaries will enable parents and professions to provide more effective and appropriate care for children with Down syndrome.