Publications
We can provide Educational packets for parents and professionals that contain all the latest best practices in education for individuals with Down syndrome. To obtain a packet, please call (518) 738-0020 ext. 3726 or email Namita Modasra, Educational Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Educational Services
Education Coordinator
We have an Education Coordinator available to assist families and professionals in developing Individual Education Plans and attend Committee on Special Education meetings.
Training Topics
We offer educational training seminars, support and materials to assist in navigating all of the following systems:
- Early Intervention –Birth to age three
- Pre-school Special Education- Age three to five
- Kindergarten to age 21
- Post Secondary Education
- Transitional Services
Extra M.I.L.E. Program:
- The Centre du syndrome de Down
(DSAHRC) is excited to announce the Extra M.I.L.E. (Modifications to Improve Learning Excellence) Program for Students with Developmental Disabilities. This program is made possible through a grant from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region’s Marjorie Rockwell Fund for the Disabled and Tearing Up the Turf for Timothy and and his friends with Down Syndrome Golf Tournament.
The goal of this program is to create modified curriculum units at the primary and secondary level for students with disabilities to improve their access and mastery of the general education curriculum. Each unit will be provided to the school or family for their student or child as a color, hard-copy resource. - Extra M.I.L.E. Information & Request form can be found here.
Our other training topics are as follows:
- IEP Tool Kit : Navigating the Special Education process
- Team Approach to Inclusive Education
- Advocacy from Day One
- Down Syndrome Facts, Faces and Fallacies
Development of visual supports:
Providing visual support while educating individuals with Down syndrome greatly helps them participate in, and gain access, to the general education curriculum. Our offices are equipped with tools and computer software needed to develop visual supports and we can help in developing appropriate visuals for your children and students. For more information contact our Education Coordinator, Namita Modasra at (518) 738-0020 ext. 3726 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Lending Library
The Lending Library, located at the Centre du syndrome de Down
(DSAHRC), has a wide variety of books available to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and professionals. Books are loaned out for 4 weeks at a time.
Testing at your child's school
Continuum Special Education Service
Forward
Research on specially designed instruction clearly supports high quality instruction provided to the greatest extent possible to meet the student's individualized education program (IEP) in the general education classrooms where students with disabilities have the greatest likelihood or receiving curriculum content delivered by highly qualified teachers. Schools may utilized a variety of combinations of special education supports and services to serve students with disabilities in general education settings and promote meaningful access, participation and progress in the general curriculum, including consultant teacher services, paraprofessional support, resource room services, and integrated co-teaching.
Early Childhood Direction Center
ECDCD provides information, referral and support to families and professionals working with children, both typically developing and those with special education needs, ages birth through five
IEP Team Meetings: A Guide to Participation for Parents
Written by By Keith Hyatt, PhDA parent's first encounter with the Individualized Education Program--the IEP--can be intimidating. However, participating in special education planning is critical in assuring positive long-term outcomes for students with disabilities.
Parents and guardians of school-age children with disabilities need to be familiar with relevant regulations and procedures for developing an IEP to fully participate in IEP development and long-term planning. Similarly, students who have attained legal adult statues in their state and have assumed responsibility for their own IEP need information to assure information participation at their IEP meetings.
The special education system can be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is the written document that outlines your child's specific educational program. We know a strong IEP is necessary for our child's individual needs to be met. Yet is is common for us to feel insecure and unprepared during our child's IEP meeting. Surrounded by teachers, administrators, and special education personnel, our voice can get lost. This toolkit was written to help you find your voice.
As family members of a child with Down syndrome, we come to IEP meetings with love for our child and a commitment to his or her education. We must also come with a strong understanding of the IEP itself, detailed information about our child's specific needs, and an understanding of appropriate goals. This IEP Toolkit is designed to help you gather the necessary information. Focused preparation is essential to the development od an effective education plan, and a strong IEP leads to improved educational success for your child.