Jack is a 5-year-old boy with Down syndrome who is new to Toronto with his family. He is friendly but has speech and behavioral issues. His parents are seeking advice on services. Jack will need early childhood intervention, a focus on developing his communication through activities involving turn-taking and symbols, and involvement of his parents to reinforce skills at home. Resources in Toronto like the Down Syndrome Association can provide social support and ensure quality services that support Jack and his family.

1. Meeting the Needs of
Children and Families
Scenario #6
Down Syndrome
Submitted by: Noorun Naher
ID: 300524824

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Meeting the need in the child
care centre (in three areas)
Physical Environment
Teachers 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Agencies and Resources in
Toronto area
Down 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

10. Agencies and Resources in
Toronto area
Canadian 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