Education
Adults with Down syndrome are
eligible for a free and appropriate public education in high school through age
22. After that time, there are a variety of educational options available to these
individuals, including:
- Two or four year college
or university programs with learning disability programs
- Non-credit transitional
programs on college campuses
- Secondary programs with
a post-secondary extension
- Post-secondary independent
living programs, which may be in dorms or apartments linked to a college
INSTANT FEEDBACK:
Because of their cognitive and communicative impairments,
adults with Down syndrome should not expect to advance educationally beyond high
school.
Nurses working with adults
with Down syndrome can be extremely helpful as the adult and family members struggle
with the options available in their community. Issues to consider when choosing
a post-secondary educational program include:
- Optimal type of living
arrangement (on campus, supervised community-based home or apartment)
- Amount of support needed
(24 hour supervision, periodic check-in, peer support)
- Learning style of the
adult (classroom, hands-on training, real-life experience)
- Length of program (short
term or lifelong transitional program)
- Counseling program with
clear goals (offered through staff, teachers, peers)
- Social skills teaching
(classroom, carryover to supported living)
- Vocational services (employment
goals, placement services, on the job supports)
- Attitude toward parental
involvement
- Staff/student ratios
(credentials, longevity)
- Ultimate goal of program
for each student (and plans to achieve it)
- Agency plans for long-term
continuation of program and services (Lefkowitz, 1998).
INSTANT
FEEDBACK:
Nurses can help families identify and evaluate issues related
to the post-secondary educational options of the adult with disabilities.