Education and Early Intervention
Adolescence
The charity has undertaken a longitudinal study of teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome
to see what life is like for them and their families.
Further reading and resources
Research
In 1987, Professors Sue Buckley and Ben Sacks carried out an extensive survey of 90 teenagers with Down
syndrome living in Hampshire to see what life was like for them and their families.
The survey described many aspects of daily life for the teenagers and their families including how independent
they were, their school achievements, relationships, health, growth, sexual development and general
behaviour. In addition, information was gathered on the impact of caring for a child with Down syndrome
on their families.
We repeated the study 13 years later by surveying the present cohort of teenagers to assess the effects
of changing attitudes and improvements in health care and educational opportunities, and are currently
writing up the full results in two articles, one for parents and practitioners and one for researchers.
A major finding was the benefits of mainstream schooling for speech and language and literacy skills.
We were disappointed to find only small progress in social independence and social inclusion in the
community since 1986 and little change in daily living skills or behaviour measures. We were also surprised
to find that our special schools had hardly improved at all in 13 years, despite considerable pressure
to do so and the availability of more knowledge of the children's learning needs.
The practical reports from this latest study will use the information to provide advice and guidelines
for parents and teachers.
We will continue to follow our included and our special school teenagers and we hope to start studies
of further education and employment programmes.
References
A list of publications related to this area of work is also available.
Support better education for young people who have Down syndrome
Down Syndrome Education International's research programmes investigate all aspects
of development and education for young people who have Down syndrome.
For nearly 30 years, we have pioneered practical ways to help young people who have
Down syndrome to achieve more.
We work with families, teachers and therapists, researchers and support organisations
in over 180 countries, helping over 100,000 people with Down syndrome to achieve
more every year.
Our continuing work depends on the generous support of donors everywhere.
Please donate today. Thank you for your continuing support.