Children with Down's syndrome are denied equal opportunities in Education
Press release January 2002
Down's Syndrome Scotland joins the Down's Syndrome Association in England in calling for all Local Educational Authorities to provide the option for children with Down's syndrome Define Down's syndrome to attend mainstream schools Define Mainstream school . Presently many children are denied this right.
A Channel 4 television programme to be shown at 11.40 p.m. on Sunday 7th March 2002 highlights the story of Northern Ireland teenager David McKibben. David, who has Down's syndrome, has not been allowed to attend his local mainstream secondary school despite his wish to stay with his classmates who have moved to the school. Currently David is receiving no education at all.
It is the experience of Down's Syndrome Scotland that many mainstream schools have little or no support from Local Education Authorities in the way of in service training to enable them to confidently meet the needs of their pupils with Down's syndrome. Often the only advice and training available has been that provided by Down's Syndrome Scotland.
Karen Watchman, Director of Down's Syndrome Scotland said:
Inclusion in mainstream schooling for children with Down' syndrome should be a choice available for all parents. However the availability of mainstream education in itself is not enough. Other factors must go along with this such as allowances made for extra demands on staff time to plan and execute individualised programmes and the availability of support at all times, including breaks and lunch time.
Speech and language therapy Define Speech and language therapy provision is also patchy. Down's Syndrome Scotland believes that the development of communication skills is a key part of the curriculum, therefore Speech and Language therapy is clearly an educational need.