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Professionals

We support professionals in their interactions with people with Down syndrome and their families. Find out more about our services below.
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Supporting professionals

Professionals can be vital to a family’s sense of confidence and coping well. Our state and territory associations provide professionals with advice and up-to-date information to support interactions with families. We also support professionals to increase their knowledge and understanding of Down syndrome through events and professional development.

A child placing a stethoscope on her mothers face.

Health

The way health professionals interact with families, particularly around diagnosis, can be critical to a family’s sense of confidence and coping well. Our state and territory associations provide health professionals with:

  • up-to-date information about Down syndrome
  • resources for people and families
  • resources for health professionals
  • professional development and webinars
  • terminology and position guidelines on prenatal testing

Education

Teachers and educators often have questions about support and inclusion work in the classroom. Our state and territory associations can support educators and assist schools to develop inclusive practices with:

  • dedicated education teams are available in some states
  • information and advice about Down syndrome and learning
  • education resources for parents and families
  • professional development and webinars
  • terminology and position guidelines on inclusive education
John at work sweeping the floor.

Employment

People with Down syndrome want to work for the same reasons as everyone else – to be independent, contribute to society, earn their own money, connect with peers and feel valued. Our state and territory associations provide employment professionals with:

  • information and advice about Down syndrome and employment
  • employer support programs (some states only)
  • resources for employers
  • resources for employees
  • professional development and webinars
  • terminology and position guidelines on employment

Find out more about services in your area

Visit our state and territory association web pages to find out more about the services our Federation offers to professionals.

More info
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Services for professionals

Health

A Nurse stands in a hospital corridor

Health Professionals are people such as doctors, nurses and other people who work in health services, such as hospitals.

A young man receives medical attention

People with Down syndrome and their families are more confident and do better when health professionals give them good information in the right way.

map of Australia with Down syndrome Australia logo

State and Territory Down syndrome organisations can give health professionals useful help to do this.

A group of people in a training room

This includes up-to-date information and training to understand Down syndrome.

They can also give advice on the right way to talk with families, including good words to use.

A graphic shows a computer screen and the letters www.

You can find information about local help for health professionals on your state organisation’s website.

Education

Teachers help a young child to learn

Education professionals include teachers, education assistants and other people who teach children in schools.

three children reading books

A good education helps people to have a better life.

Teachers need good information on how to teach children with Down syndrome and include them in classrooms with other children.

map of Australia with Down syndrome Australia logo

State and Territory Down syndrome organisations can help schools and teachers with information and advice.

A group of people in a training room

Some organisations have education staff who can do talks in schools and run training for education professionals.

A graphic shows a computer screen and the letters www.

You can find information about local help for education professionals on your state organisation’s website.

Employment

A young woman sitting at a desk next to a computer

The Down Syndrome Federation says that people with Down syndrome should be able to work in jobs that use their skills, strengths and abilities.

map of Australia with Down syndrome Australia logo

State and Territory Down syndrome organisations can help with information and advice about employment.

There is information about employment for people with Down syndrome, their families and employers.

A Guide for Employers

Employment professionals help people with disabilities to get jobs.

They can use this information too when they are helping someone with Down syndrome.

Some Down syndrome organisations have staff who run training to help people with Down syndrome get ready for employment.

A graphic shows a computer screen and the letters www.

You can find information about local help regarding employment on your state organisation’s website.