Blog #186~Down syndrome: How to Promote Inclusiveness in School
October is Down syndrome Awareness Month. This is an ideal time to promote inclusiveness in your child’s school. Forming a partnership with your child’s education team is the key to a successful inclusion experience.
Here are a few resources and suggestions on how to advocate for inclusion in your child’s school environment and classroom:
*Send an “All About Me” introduction about your child to the teacher. There are many ideas, templates and apps that are available online. This is especially helpful, if your child’s speech is limited or non-verbal.
*Share inclusion resources with your child’s teacher:
- Meaningful Inclusion for Students With Down Syndrome: A Resource for Elementary Educators. http://www.mdsc.org/infojustforyou/EdManual.cfm
- The Inclusive Class: http://www.theinclusiveclass.com/
- Inclusion in the Classroom-Tips and Resources: http://allbornin.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Inclusion_Classroom_Tips.pdf
- Donate books to the library and classroom:
*Topics on Down Syndrome, that are helpful for teaching from Woodbine House Publishing: http://www.woodbinehouse.com/ Books related to Down syndrome are ON SALE during the month of October!
Working with the school team to promote an understanding about Down syndrome, and a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism has many benefits. It will help students in general education classes feel less anxious and reduce misconceptions they may have had. Building this bridge together, will lead to a meaningful learning experience for everyone in the school. That’s what is in my noggin this week.
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