Fwd: Improving education for children with Down syndrome in 2012

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December 27, 2011

Today, children with Down syndrome are learning more than ever before

thanks to developmental research. In 2012, our research will deliver more than ever before to improve education

for children with Down syndrome everywhere.

When my daughter was born 42 years

ago, she had no right to education because few believed people

with Down syndrome could learn. Only 30 years ago, when I began

our first research into early reading, I was told by some that

I was wasting my time.

Since then, developmental research has repeatedly shown what

children with Down syndrome can achieve when given the

right opportunities.

Today, many children are benefiting from evidence-based approaches in early intervention and education.

These changes

are transforming the lives of many thousands of children with

Down syndrome around the world today.

Our contribution

Many scientists have contributed

to these advances - not only those employed and sponsored by

DSE. We have played (and continue to

play) a vital role undertaking and sponsoring new studies,

encouraging collaboration among researchers around the

world, and ensuring that research is translated into

everyday teaching practice.

Our achievements in 2011

During the past year alone, we have

completed two ground-breaking randomized controlled trials of

reading and language and memory training interventions, published

new early learning resources, helped to begin to bring change

to the services available for people with Down syndrome and

their families in Eastern Europe, and provided reliable, evidence-based

advice and information to over 120,000 people worldwide - reaching

20,000 more than in 2010 - through our publications and training

services.

Our plans for 2012

Over the coming year, we will publish

our new reading and language teaching scheme for school children

with Down syndrome. This scheme has been rigorously tested in

a large randomized controlled trial - the first ever for children

with Down syndrome. We will work to ensure this scheme improves

teaching for over 30,000 children with Down syndrome within

the first two years following the global launch in June 2012.

We will continue to publish further

steps in our See and Learn early learning programs

helping to support early speech, language and reading, memory

and number skills development, and to develop more translations

and adaptations. See and Learn programs are already

helping over 20,000 children.

We will overhaul and update our

most popular web sites, making them easier to navigate and ensuring

that they continue to offer the most up-to-date, evidence-based

information available to the 15,000 people who visit them each

week.

We expect to start major new research

studies, based in both the US and the UK. We will evaluate new

approaches to improving reading comprehension, supporting early

language learning, improving speech clarity, training short-term

and working memory and strengthening problem solving skills.

We are confident that our practical

and targeted developmental research will lead to further breakthroughs

for children with Down syndrome of all ages and abilities. Through

our publications and services we will ensure that these breakthroughs

continue to help children with Down syndrome everywhere.

The best return on investment

The developmental research that

DSE supports is practical and has a solid track record of delivering

real improvements in the lives of people with Down syndrome.

We do not promise miracles, but we do promise continued improvements in educational outcomes and

life opportunities today and tomorrow.

At a time when the budgets of many

governments, charities and families are increasingly constrained,

being able to demonstrate what really does help children with

Down syndrome ensures that scarce resources deliver the best

results.

Developmental research helps schools,

therapists, early years services and charities to continually

improve their services. By improving the services provided with

taxpayers' and donors' funding, this research ensures that many

thousands of children with Down syndrome will have the opportunities

to achieve more for years to come.

How you can help

You can help us by donating

- either

to Down Syndrome Education International (a UK charity) or

to

Down Syndrome Education USA (a US nonprofit).

You can also help us by encouraging

others to give – perhaps by encouraging families and friends

to consider donations, or by organizing a fundraising event.

However you choose to help and however much you can afford to

give, you can be sure that your support will ensure that opportunities

and outcomes continue to improve for people with Down syndrome,

helping them to live ever more fulfilling lives.

Thank you for your support.

Professor Sue Buckley OBE

Director of Research

Down Syndrome Education International

Developmental research has

consistently delivered

substantial improvements in the

lives of young people with Down

syndrome for over three decades

DSE

plays a vital role

undertaking and sponsoring new

studies and ensuring that research

is translated into everyday teaching

practice

During the

past year alone, we have completed

two ground-breaking

randomized controlled trials

of reading and language and memory

training interventions

Our

new, rigorously-evaluated reading

and language teaching scheme

for school children will be launched

in mid-2012

We will continue to publish further

steps in our See and Learn

early learning programs

In 2012, we

expect to start major new research

studies, based in both the US and

the UK

Down Syndrome Education International

is a charity, registered in England and Wales, no. 1062823. The

Duffen Centre. Belmont Street. Portsmouth. PO5 1NA. UK | telephone +44

(23) 9285 5330 | email info@...

Down Syndrome Education USA

is a nonprofit organization, incorporated in California and exempt from

Federal income tax under section 501©(3) of the US Internal Revenue

Code, EIN 26-2566125. 1451 Quail Street, Suite 104, Newport Beach, CA

92660, USA | telephone +1 | email

info@...

Down Syndrome Education Enterprises

CIC is a Community Interest Company Limited by Shares registered

in England and Wales. Company no. 2413145. VAT number GB 684 6715 92.

The Duffen Centre. Belmont Street. Portsmouth. PO5 1NA. UK | telephone

+44 (23) 9285 5330 | email

info@...

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