Wondering if Learn and Thrive works beyond Down’s syndrome?

See what elements of specific learning profiles are supported by our resources

ASD, Autism, and Aspergers

16-18% of people with Down syndrome also have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is considerable overlap in the learning profiles of Down’s syndrome and of the common characteristics of ASD. Our resources follow many elements of the learning profile of those with ASD:

  • Focus on visuals in learning

  • Extensive practical activities, modelling others’ behaviour, and clear examples

  • Use of sign, gesture, or visual supports

  • Use of structure and routine within the videos

  • Concrete learning techniques

  • Clear and unambiguous language

Global Developmental Delay

GDD encapsulates delayed development across a variety of areas. It’s not always a lifelong learning need, and with the right support, progress can be made. GDD is not uniform in all individuals, and therefore support differs. Our resources can support in a variety of ways:

  • Speech and language support in Teach Me Too

  • Teaching on appropriate behaviours in Learning for Life

  • Visual learning

  • Interactivity - our resources are built for being used with a supporting adult

  • Early concept learning delivered in an age-appropriate way

Fragile X Syndrome

Like many of the other needs on this page, FXS learning needs are varied and complex. However, there is a general set of characteristics in the learning profile that our resources can support:

  • Learning about routine

  • Use of verbal labels (like with Widgit symbols)

  • Videos for time to process information - pausing the video at any time means all our resources can be undertaken at any pace

  • Visuals are simple and clear

  • Timetables in Teach Me Too videos

  • Modeling

  • Visual cues and colour coding - especially see our colour coded ‘Emotions’ series in Learning for Life

Source: fragilex.org

Williams Syndrome

Our resources can support several areas of the learning profile of individuals with Williams Syndrome:

  • Verbal information used across all videos - works with strong short and long-term auditory memory

  • The structure of the videos remains the same across many series

  • Social stories are used to reinforce the learning and prompt questions from the learner

  • Regular opportunities to work in small groups and to share their thoughts and ideas.

  • Structured support with practical role play to give a deeper understanding of socially acceptable interactions and identify unhealthy relationships.

Semantic pragmatic disorder

Often associated with ASD, semantic pragmatic disorder impacts the way individuals use social language. As a result, much of the way these learners can be supported is similar to that of ASD:

  • Speech and language development support provided in Teach Me Too

  • Clarity on behaviours taught in Learning for Life - especially ‘Growing Up and Keeping Safe’

  • Prompts to pause the video to give time for responses

  • Role play or modelling of activities and appropriate/ acceptable social behaviours

  • Use of clear language without idioms, metaphors, and other unclear semantics

Other additional needs

You know your learner best, and understand their learning needs. Because you can access our projects for free, you can be selective about which issues you’d like to cover. While the above is not an exhaustive list, there are some other additional needs which have similar profiles or may benefit from our learning resources:

  • Smith-Magenis Syndrome

  • Prader-Willi Syndrome

  • Worster-Drought syndrome

If you have a learner with a different additional need (or is a typical child/young person) and would like to know if Learn and Thrive’s resources can help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email at contact@learnandthrive.org.uk.

We recommend undertaking the learning in a one-to-one or group setting with the learner.

They should always be supported in working through the videos. This way, your learner will get the best out of them through the ability to personalise them to their pace and your assessment of their abilities and requirements.

Learners with Down’s syndrome were our inspiration for our work, but this doesn’t mean it can’t be supportive to learners with other special educational and additional needs.

You can sign up for FREE to both projects, and pick and choose what your learner needs. Simply sign up to each project and get started!

  • Our Process

    The learning profile of children and young people with Down’s syndrome is our framework. However, this doesn’t mean our projects aren’t useful and impactful for individuals with other SEN or additional learning needs.

  • Our Projects

    Teach Me Too provides specialist teaching across the curriculum with a specific focus on speech and language development.

    Learning for Life uses the Primary Relationships and Sexual Education curriculum to cover a issues relating to health, safety, and personal development.

  • Our Promise

    We take on all the feedback we receive from our users, including working towards increased inclusivity and coverage of issues faced by children and young people with SEN and additional learning needs.

Join us on our journey