DSRTF: 1PM EST Webinar and 3:1 donation matching on 3/21

Your Donation Matched 3:1 on 3/21

We're thrilled to announce that In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, your donations on March 21 will be matched three to one — your $100 becomes $400, your $500 becomes $2000, and so on. This is an incredible one-day opportunity to maximize your impact on the progress of research. Plan your gift now, then donate on WDSD to take advantage of this chance to help speed science to a future of improved cognition and greater fulfillment for our loved ones with DS!

World Down Syndrome Day Webinar

Scientists used to think the intellectual disability conferred by Down syndrome was too complex to treat. But thanks to the enormous strides researchers have made, we now believe that it's not only possible to improve cognition through drug treatment, but that the goal of improved learning, memory, and speech for people with DS may be within reach.
Join us for this special World Down Syndrome Day event, when we introduce the basics of cognition research, discuss current research initiatives, and report on clinical trials now underway. Presenters from DSRTF and Roche, the global health care company, will offer an informative, accessible presentation appropriate for those new to the topic, and will answer audience questions as time allows.  Register now for this event, and join us on Thursday, March 21 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET as we share the promise science holds for our loved ones with DS.

iPad, iPod, and iPhone apps to help early development

from Down Syndrome Education International:

Down Syndrome Education International is working with developers to create new learning opportunities for children with Down syndrome using portable devices including iPads and iPods. Recently released apps support language, memory and number skills development.

Computerised educational activities have the potential to offer significant benefits for young people with Down syndrome, with an emphasis on the visual presentation of information and opportunities to encourage lots of practice. DSE is working with partners in the UK, Europe and the US to create apps that target the developmental needs and learning styles of young people with Down syndrome. Some of the first of these apps are now available.

Special Words from Special iApps

Special Words teaches children to recognise written words, using pictures and sounds, on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The app has 3 games with increasing difficulty, Match Pictures, Match Words and Match Both.

Special Words comes with the vocabulary and pictures from the early steps of DSE’s See and Learn Language and Reading program, comprising of 96 written words children use in their early vocabulary.

It includes matching pictures, written and spoken words, in 8 languages: American and British English, Spanish, Catalan, French, German, Italian and Swedish. Users can easily replace the words and re-record the audio in any other language their child uses. Users can add more words, pictures and sounds for family members, friends, and familiar objects, to increase their child’s interest, and further develop their vocabulary.

Special Words was developed by Special iApps, a social enterprise founded by parents of a child with Down syndrome who have many years of experience in both education and software. Special iApps is donating a proportion of the global sales of Special Words to Down Syndrome Education International.

• Special Words on the App Store (US edition)
• Special Words on the App Store (UK edition)

 

Memory Fun and Counting Fun from Felix Education Apps

Memory Fun is a memory game where the user has to remember the position of picture cards in order to recall the location of two matching cards. Starting with just four cards to choose from, up to 18 cards can be displayed with a vocabulary of over 100 words.

Counting Fun is a simple counting game designed to encourage practising counting from 1 to 10. Sound effects and animation engage the child’s attention while they tap each item displayed on the screen to hear and see each digit.

Felix Education Apps is a family run business based in Oslo, Norway, designing educational apps. Felix Education Apps is donating a proportion of the global sales of their apps to Down Syndrome Education International.

• Memory Fun on the App Store (US Edition)
• Counting Fun on the App Store (US Edition)