Date
23 March 2024

Support interaction and positive behaviour using recommended approaches

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Key areas where students may need support’

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Support social interaction

Support social interaction

Approaches and activities that support interaction between peers.
  • Explain Down syndrome to your students. Discuss this with the student’s parents and family beforehand. Parents of a child with Down syndrome may want to talk to their child's class.
  • Partner your student with Down syndrome with other students for group activities. Aides or teachers can help, but shouldn't act as partners.
  • Give students opportunities to identify their strengths.
  • Encourage students to feel less stressed in social situations by using warmth, patience and good humour when you talk with them.
  • Encourage students to share their interests, For example, create a class bulletin board featuring the school-based and out-of-school interests of students.
  • Create an environment where students can see one another clearly, identify social cues and practise and learn taking turns.

Support positive behaviour

Support positive behaviour

A small number of students may need specific support to develop social skills and social behaviour.

The Down’s Syndrome Association in the UK has developed resources to support positive behaviour. 

These resources support teachers to reflect on the why or the function of the behaviour, rather than responding solely to the behaviour itself. They include strategies to build students’ communication and self-management skills.

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Positive steps for social inclusion

Read time: 8 min

A guide to supporting social inclusion.

Publisher: National Down Syndrome Society

Visit website

Website

Managing behaviours

Read time: 8 min

Practical advice for teachers and support staff.

Publisher: National Down Syndrome Society

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Key areas to support”:

Return to the guide “Down syndrome and learning”

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