A big thank you to the Dunderry Fair, the Dunderry Fair organising Committee and all who helped out at the Dunderry Fair who presented the Branch with a cheque for €2000.00.
In the photo, the Chairman of the Dunderry Fair Johnny Keely is presenting our Chairman Paul Radford a cheque for €2,000.00.
A great night was had in Geraghty’s on the 22nd of July as Dunderry Fair distributed cheques from a very successful Fair 2022 to local charities and deserving causes.
Congratulations to the wonderful students from our Athboy class who graduated recently.
Aimee, Ann-Marie, Cara, Cathal, Deirdre, Dualta, Eileen, Eleanor, Emily,Fintan, Joan, Liam, Katie, Michelle, Monica, Teresa and Tomás graduated from a mixof four courses – Latch-On Literacy and Technology, MOTE My Opinion My Vote,Work Skills and Personal Development.
They were joined by proud families, friends, teachers and DSI branch and national representatives for a lovely celebration ceremony in the Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy.
The Athboy class started out in September 2016 with 10 students for a two-year Latch-On programme. After an enjoyable and worthwhile two years, and with 8 morestudents joining, the class continued to work through DSI’s adult education modules.With the programme extended due to Covid, all modules were completed in March2022.
The Louth Meath branch was delighted to have such a fantastic group of students. We look forward to seeing them move on, building on the skills and friendships that havebeen developed over the six years of the programme.
Our Regional Resource Officers help people with Down syndrome and their family’s access support locally. Regional Resource Officers provide vital support and a point of contact for new parents as well as families who need help and support at local level at every life stage. Our Regional Resource Officer for the LouthMeath Branch is:
Mike Egan
Mike Egan started working with the Louth Meath branch of DSI as a part-time Regional Resource Officer in November 2016, having had over 10 years front-line and management experience in adult learning disability services. His role in the Louth Meath branch is to act as an information and support officer for the members and committee, helping to ensure they are aware of their full entitlements and rights to get all the services and opportunities that they need. Where such services are not readily available, Mike works with the branch and DSI National Team to campaign for additional and improved services for members of all ages. He has a particular interest in the possibility of individualised funding/personal budgets for people with Down syndrome to enable them to reach their full potential and be active, included members of the community. Mike has an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies, an MSc in Education and Training Management and, more recently, has trained as a mindfulness teacher for stress reduction and other benefits.
These activities are designed to promote your baby/toddler/child’s communication development. These activities can be easily carried out at home as each activity is nice and short. You can do one, some or all of these activities. You may choose to do them daily or weekly, it’s completely up to you!
All you need for these activities is a little bit of space and toys/objects that you have in the house.
Activities to Promote Communication 1
We are going to focus on eye-contact, naming, action songs, cause and effect and teaching some important songs – “Hello song” and “The Clean-up Song”.
If you are still working through the previous activities, don’t worry, you can start the following activities when your child is ready. You can also start these activities if you need a change and are feeling demotivated! Follow your child’s lead.
Down Syndrome Ireland are delighted to launch vital new resources for parents and teachers of children with Down syndrome in a variety of educational settings.
There is information about Down syndrome, about the learning profile and about various issues which might interfere with a student’s ability to access the curriculum. Topics covered include literacy; numeracy; movement, sport and leisure; managing behaviour and social and emotional development. It also provides a pathway to Junior Cycle. With each chapter, there are suggestions of practical, manageable ways to help.
OurSupporting students with Down syndrome in special schools booklet provides parents and educators with information and advise on how to help students with Down syndrome thrive in special education settings. It also provides suggestions for intervention for children with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The move from primary to post primary school can often be difficult for any student. For a student with Down syndrome, that bit of extra thought, planning and preparation will help ease this transition – to the benefit of both the new arrival and the school. Our Supporting Students with Down syndrome transition from primary to post primary school booklet outlines some simple initiatives and practical steps teachers and parents can take to support students.
A very useful tool to help ease the transition from primary to post primary school is preparing a ‘Getting Ready for Post Primary School – My Workbook’. Print off this workbook and personalise it with information, pictures and other useful tips and it can be used to prepare students for the move.
It has been announced that the Government will be extending the CCSP scheme until August 2021. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has confirmed that anyone registered at the close of the current registration window (October 25th) will be allowed to roll over into the following year.
The Government is also extending the maximum enhanced hours to 45 hours per week and maximum standard hours to 20 hours with effect from Sept 2020.
Down Syndrome Ireland Talent Day Football Registration
Keeping fit and healthy is a fun thing to do. Refining your football skills by playing Football with peers, promises to lift the spirits and form lifetime friendships.
A unique opportunity has arisen for our Irish players with Down syndrome.
The Trisome Games 2020 are being held in Turkey from 31 March to 7 April – hosting teams with Down syndrome from over 50 countries in 8 sports.
Down Syndrome Ireland in association with the FAI, are considering entering a Futsal team to represent Ireland at this prestigious event.
For Ireland to be able to compete at an international level, we are looking for skilled, talented and athletic players. If you play football regularly and are 16 or over you are invited to complete the entry form in the link below and to attend one of the 4 open talent days listed below.