Resources:

 

Research & Education:

Down Syndrome Research Foundation

The Down Syndrome Research Foundation was established in 1995 to ensure a brighter future for individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities by increasing their cognitive and social development.

Teaching Children with Down Syndrome to Read

Research article by Dr. Sue Buckley and Gillian Bird from the Down Syndrome Information Network in the UK. This article outlines why the whole-word approach works so well in teaching children with Down syndrome to read, as well as how it encourages verbalization.

The Whole-Word Approach to Reading - Wikipedia

An explanation of the whole-word approach to reading, and why it works!

Teaching Reading to Teach Talking - Important New Evidence

Research article by Dr. Sue Buckley which outlines how teaching reading to children with Down syndrome also assists in teaching speech.

Articles:

 

Parental Assistance is Critical for Struggling Readers

In an ever-growing world of computers and gadgets, it is often easy to overlook the importance of good old hands-on learning. This article examines the impact parents can have on increasing their child's potential for reading...

ReadingProgram for Visual Learners

As a visual learner, readers tend to use the right side of their brain for reading rather than the left side. In doing so, words are remembered as pictures, rather than by way of the phonetic decoding methods that are used by the left side of the brain...

 

Autism:

 

Autism Speaks

This group is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention,
treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of Autism.


Down Syndrome Organizations:


Arkansas Down Syndrome Association


Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. For further information, contact Dawn Adams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, USA. This is an active and zealous parent group located in LA. Gail Williamson is their amazing Executive Director, and can be contacted at (818) 242-7871 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 242-7871 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Down Syndrome Educational Trust

The Down Syndrome Educational Trust is a leading charity focused on the education and
development of individuals with Down syndrome. It is located in the U.K.

Down Syndrome Group of Northwest, New Jersey

Washington, NJ, USA. This parent support group holds their monthly meetings at the Warren County Arc Building. For further information about this group, contact Melissa Ehrhardt at (908)689-7525 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (908)689-7525 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Ext. 320.

Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas

Kansas City, MO. This nonprofit organization is a powerhouse of information and activities for families of children with Down syndrome!

Karen Gaffney Foundation

The Karen Gaffney Foundation is a non profit organization that is dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion in families, schools, communities and the workplace for people with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities.

Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona

Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Inc. is a non-profit parent organization whose goal is to enhance the quality of life of people with Down syndrome. Sharing is a 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization run by parents in Arizona. For further information, contact Gina Johnson by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling (480)926-6500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (480)926-6500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.



Other Areas of Interest:

 

321 Downstreet Press

 

 

Home of the Down syndrome awareness magnet!

 

Promote Down syndrome awareness and acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome by purchasing car magnets, pins, key chains, tee-shirts, or cards!

 

 

 

Band of Angels Press

 

Band of Angels is dedicated to creating greater understanding of the full and rich lives of people with differences by helping parents, educators, persons with disabilities and medical professionals recognize the true potential of all people.


"At the Band of Angels Foundation we want the world to see not the difference, but the sameness of children with Down syndrome."

 

Be - Jewellry

 

World Peace Pendant

Promote world peace by wearing this beautiful handmade pendant! Betsy Kennedy, of Bradenton, Florida hand crafts this piece, along with many other simple, fun, original and handmade silver pieces.

Visit the website at: 'Be'.

 

Civitan International

Civitan is a service club devoted to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Their commitment is proven through local and international efforts such as summer camps, vocational programs, special Olympic games and cutting-edge research into Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Alzheimers at the Civitan International Research Center.

Conway Civitan Club

The Conway Civitan Club is a special organization dedicated to helping those with developmental disabilities, as well as addressing many other needs in the Conway, Arkansas Community. This is truly a special group of individuals! eReadingPro will be working with the Conway Civitan Club on a Literacy project in Conway, Arkansas.

DK Arts

Dylan Kuehl is an ambitious visual and performing artist. He has won several art contests and has had his work published in numerous publications. Dylan also has Down syndrome. Learn more about Dylan and his impressive artwork!


Books for Children with Special Needs by Off We Go!

Books that are designed to help prepare children with special needs for their first experiences. This set of books represents a valuable resource for parents, educators and professions concerned with children with special needs.

 

Special Friends

The No.1 online community for people with learning disabilities, their parents, carers and volunteers! Safety and security is their main priority to create a safe haven for friendships to grow. Check it out!

Specs4Us


Eyeglass frames designed specially for children with Down syndrome. They are amazing!

The Special Needs Store

The goal of this online source if to make the lives of parents, therapists, and educators of children with special needs and developmental delays easier by enabling them to find a wide variety of resources and products in one location. Check out the abundance of products!

 

Blogs of Interest:

On the Brain

For more than three decades, Dr. Merzenich has been a leading pioneer in brain plasticity research. In the late 1980s, Dr. Merzenich was on the team that invented the cochlear implant, now distributed by market leader Advanced Bionics. In 1996, Dr. Merzenich was the founding CEO of Scientific Learning Corporation (Nasdaq: SCIL), which markets and distributes software that applies principles of brain plasticity to assist children with language learning and reading. In 2002, Dr. Merzenich co-founded Posit Science—the leading provider of cognitive training programs for adults—where he continues head the company’s global science team. This blog is written by Mike Merzinich himself, and provides ongoing insight into how the brain works! A fascinating read!!!

The Mom Crowd

Moms and moms-to-be will appreciate this blog that is maintained by four American moms. The community was designed for moms to share from each others experiences. One of the moms has a child with Down syndrome and a typical child, and she is using the eReadingPro system to teach her two children to read!

Where There's a Will

This is a blog by Kelly Anderson, mother of 4 children, 1 of who was born with Down syndrome. Kelly shares here stories of parenting, celebrating her journey on a road less traveled, and sharing the discovery of a life that is unique beyond our imaginations.


Emma Sage

A blog about Emma, born with Down syndrome. Emma's mom, Tara Marie, attended one of our workshops, and as a home-schooler, was very excited about sharing the news about our program!

 

Praying for Parker

This is a blog about a special mom, a medically fragile little boy with Down syndrome and a heart-wrenching story to tell.

Visit this blog, and Pray for Parker!

 

Down Syndrome

This site is dedicated to expressing what it is like to be a mother of a child with Down syndrome. It is a beautiful blog.

We Band of Mothers

This is a blog by Nancy - Seth (17), Rachel (15), and Sam (10). Nancy is currently the President of the Dayton Autism Society, and this blog shares her journey with a child with Autism. Learn about the effects of using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and more!