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Research directions

People with Down syndrome can lead happy and fulfilled lives. Increasingly they are being offered the opportunities to do so.

These opportunities have been driven by changes in social attitudes, advances in healthcare and a clearer understanding of the developmental difficulties facing people living with the condition.

The Trust has been improving the understanding of the development of people with Down syndrome for 30 years. It is currently working to deliver an expanded programme of new scientific research focused on practical outcomes for people with Down syndrome.

It's all in the (extra) genes. Or is it?

It is sometimes assumed that genes on the additional chromosome dictate the developmental outcomes for people with Down syndrome. Developmental studies show that environmental factors such as the care, support and education offered to people with Down syndrome are also critical:

Changing the 'profile' - Educational environment makes a difference to outcomes for young people with Down syndrome. In this study, the young people who attended 'special' schools exhibit the 'traditional' profile of particularly delayed communication skills. The young people who attended inclusive, mainstream schools do not. (Source: A comparison of mainstream and special education for teenagers with Down syndrome: Implications for parents and teachers.)

Working to improve all areas of development

Our work considers all of the influences on health, development and education - from the impact of genes to the impact of inclusion.

We work to assist people with Down syndrome in all areas of development:

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Support research that works today

People with Down syndrome can lead happy and fulfilled lives. Increasingly they are being offered the opportunities to do so.

Help us continue to expand these opportunities today...

Research supports change

Improved understanding of the profile of difficulties associated with Down syndrome has resulted in effective interventions to assist communication, speech, language, literacy, motor and cognitive skills. Many young people now achieve educational standards previously thought unattainable for people with Down syndrome.

Opportunities matter

Down syndrome starts with an extra chromosome at conception. But this is not the end of the story. Rich environments - including loving families, effective education, quality healthcare and social inclusion - are vital for individual development.

History has shown that many of the levels of ability traditionally believed to be 'due to Down syndrome' had more to do with impoverished, institutional environments and social and educational exclusion.

Developmental outcomes

Many things influence human development. Our genetic inheritance, our family life, our schooling and health care all contribute to developmental outcomes.

Our work is focused on improving our understanding of how all of these influences contribute to the learning difficulties associated with Down syndrome. We then identify and evaluate practical interventions and teaching strategies to help provide people with Down syndrome with the best possible opportunities.

The outlook is not bleak

People with Down syndrome can lead happy and fulfilling lives today. Indeed, for many people with Down syndrome, the outlook has never been brighter. Increased life expectancy, higher educational achievements and greater social inclusion are improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome in many countries.

Ensuring that the best opportunities and support are offered to people with Down syndrome is at the heart of our research programme. More effective interventions and teaching strategies can improve outcomes for people living with Down syndrome today.

Multidisciplinary partnerships

Whilst a complete 'cure' for Down syndrome is not a realistic aim, drug therapies that help some aspects of the condition might be found over the coming years. To be of proven benefit, these will need to deliver outcomes ahead of those otherwise delivered by appropriate support, educational interventions and social opportunity. Developing such therapies needs a clear understanding of development for people with Down syndrome and the extent to which it is influenced by the additional chromosome.

Unravelling these issues will need the expertise, experience and skills of scientists in many disciplines, including genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience and psychology. It will also need larger studies and the accumulation of large datasets.

Our research interests include all of the influences on development and education for people with Down syndrome - from the impact of genes to the impact of inclusion.

We are working to build partnerships across disciplines to develop the studies and the infrastructure that will support further advances for people with Down syndrome over the coming years.

Practical focus

Our aim is to deliver demonstrable benefits for people living with Down syndrome. Our research programme focuses on practical issues, including:

effective early intervention
early language development
the developmental impact of hearing loss
problem solving
motor development
early social and emotional development
classroom reading instruction
strategies and materials for teaching number skills and mathematics

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