General

May 2014 – This month Pre-K and Level 1 classes focus on the mechanics of writing.  For a number of reasons, writing is often a particular challenge for students with Down syndrome.  Building hand strength, proper posture, and a good choice of writing implements can help with learning.  Our favorite writing program remains Handwriting Without…

April 2014 – This month Pre-K and Level 1 classes focus on fostering independence at home or in school.  As with all learning, our children will achieve more if tasks are broken into smaller steps and presented with visual support.  Allowing time for practice and providing more structured guidance will help as well.  A key…

March 2014 – This month we are focusing on letters, sounds and phonology.  Combining a sight word approach with effective phonics instruction may result in more effective and independent readers than a sight word approach alone.  In the past, we focused on sight word instruction and left most of the phonics instruction for school (they did that…

February 2014 – This month we are focusing on how to enhance your child’s educational experience by collaborating with school administrators, teachers and support staff.  Prepare for the next IEP by thinking through your child’s strengths and needs in the following areas: campus and classroom, communication, academics, therapies and resource support and social.  You will…

February 2014 – There is a new Statewide Special Education Task Force you should know about. The Task Force was formed to examine California’s complex systems for serving students with disabilities and forward recommendations designed to reform the system and improve student outcomes to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the California Department of Education, the…