Meeting the Needs of

Children and Families

Scenario #6

Down Syndrome

Submitted by: Noorun Naher

ID: 300524824

Introduction to the child and

family

Jack is five-years old boy with Down

Syndrome

Family is new at Toronto area

He appears very friendly, but has

speech and behavioral issue

Jack’s parents asks me advice about

services

Needs of the child and his

family

Down syndrome is the cause of

anatomical differences

Jack has very little speech and this

trigger behavioral issue

Early childhood intervention is need

for Jack and his parents

Job search through YMCA

Introduction to the individual

special need

Parents share Jack’s Individual

Education Plan

Jack’s exceptionality is Multiple

Exceptionalities

Very little speech can put a child at

risk

Need to find solutions for very little

speech and behavioural issue

Meeting the need in the child

care centre (in three areas)

Physical EnvironmentTeachers need to be alert to Jack's

attempts to communicate

Ensure the environment for Jack is perfect

to practice communication with adults and

peers

Guide children to wait for Jack to

participate verbally, rather than talking for

him

During group activities, ensure Jack is

sitting where he can see and hear

Teaching Strategies

Look for activities which include turn-taking

and sharing

Can use communication book with symbols

Encourage Jack to communicate at

routine times

Select peers who play appropriately and

handle materials constructively

Needs of the Family

Treat Jack as other members of the family

Get information from parents how he

communicate at home

Involve parents to reinforce and practice

new skills at home

Parents are an important source of

information and can put Jake’s teacher in

contact with others

Parents can get training from agency to

help Jack

Parent Support group can form through

agency

Meeting the need in the child care

centre for Changing Behaviour

3-step approach for understanding and

Changing Behaviour

Step 1: Decide Where to Start: talk with

parents and observe Jack at the centre

Step 2: Gather and Analyze

Step 3: Plan for Change

If the problem behaviour persists then

we will have to re-assess

Agencies and Resources in

Toronto areaDown Syndrome Association of Toronto

Providing social and information network

for parents

Ensuring the availability of appropriate,

quality services for all persons with Down

syndrome

Children with Down syndrome are welcome

Membership $40 per year

Open for all

Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 4 pm

Agencies and Resources in

Toronto areaCanadian Down Syndrome Society

Latest information through the CDSS

website for individuals with Down

syndrome

Children with Down syndrome are welcome

Individual Membership $20 per year

Open for all

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm