About the TrustWhat we doIt may come as a surprise that the specialist education needed to ensure Children with Down Syndrome are equipped with the best education to enable independence in society is not provided in New Zealand as part of the governments education curriculum. It is only available through private practitioners. About the children'Early intervention' education has a profound effect on the development of children with Down Syndrome. Perhaps the most well known research documenting this fact is the University of Oregon early intervention program. In this study early intervention education reduced the age that Down Syndrome children first talk from an average of 4 years to 2 years. While this is profound in itself, it has an exponential effect on the confidence of the child and the ability of the family to communicate with the child. All reducing unnecessary frustration and stress on the family. It is truly life changing! Who BenefitsIt is the goal of UpsideDowns Education Trust to fund approved specialist education to all families in New Zealand that need and can benefit from this education. We currently fund families in both the North and South Islands. It is necessary to raise the profile of our trust and awareness of the benefits of such education, so more families can benefit from early intervention programs.
|
|
