Mission Statement:
Down Syndrome Ireland is dedicated to being the primary source of support and information to people with Down syndrome, their families and the professional community, working towards an improved quality of life for our members along with a respect and acceptance of people with Down syndrome as valued members of Irish society.
Galway Cycle:
The funds raised by the Galway cycle will go solely towards the roll out of an Early Development Project.
Children with Down syndrome have great potential just like everyone else, but some extra help is often required to realise that potential.
Early Development and intervention sets up the building blocks for life. It is about giving children the best start and helping them realise
their potential.
The Project: What its all about
Early Development Focuses on:
• Social and Emotional Development
• Supporting Early Communication
• Early Sensory supports to help attention and learning
• Feeding and Oral Sensory Motor skills
• Play
• Pre reading and language
• LAMH signing
• Motor and Postural issues
Early Development Project – Two strands
1. Setting up and upgrading Early Years Resources in our branches across the country
a) Equipment for local groups
b) Parent training
2. Establishing a national central resource ‘Centre of Excellence’ to support the work going on at local level
a) Professional supports
b) Phone service
c) Library and online resources
The project - What the funds will do
Purchase of equipment for local Early Development groups
• Equipment such as:
Computers; software; books; equipment for play areas; motor skills material; language cards; therapy aids; toys
• Up to 25 local groups
1.b) Parent Training
• Courses for Parents 2-5 age group. 9 courses already set for delivery from Nov 2011- May 2012
• 1 day workshops for Parents 0 -2 years
• Residential weekend for Parents 0-2 years
These workshops will concentrate on Parent training with focus upon Supportive Experiences, Strategies, Activities & Positive Supportive Parental Networking and will help the child in the following areas; Building communication; Thinking and problem solving; Expressing ideas and
feelings; Helping to make friends with others; Dealing with daily challenges
2. a) Professional Supports
Providing Training for:
• The professionals and volunteers running the local Early Development groups
• Other Early Development Teams & Home Teachers
• Speech & Language Therapists
• Mid-wives & Medical Students
These professional supports will allow for training; access to new research, equipment and expert advice; allow the sharing of information and collaboration among groups.
2.b) Phone Service
• Specialist Early Development Advisor
• Available 1 day per week
• Offering Support to parents, the groups and professionals
• Building up a picture of support needs
2.c)
Set up a national resource of materials and equipment
• Based at national office of DSI or centrally at existing centre
• Funds will be used to purchase a large library of books and equipment that groups can use and borrow
• Investment will also be made in on-line resources
