Now And The Future

Around 1–2 % of people with Down syndrome have mosaic Down syndrome, which means only around 120–240 people in Australia live with this rare type of Down syndrome. Mosaicism occurs when a person has two or more genetically different sets of cells in their body. People with the more common form of Down syndrome, Trisomy 21, have 3 copies of the additional 21st chromosome in each cell. However, peop...

What are the barriers to inclusion? What barriers do students face, as well as educators? Which barriers are due to mindset and classroom culture, leadership and pedagogy, or other environmental factors? Are barriers something that can be overcome or do some barriers need to be accepted and just worked with? These are the sorts of questions that the DSQ Education Team delve into and explore, as th...

In this episode of the Now and the Future Podcast we sit down with Rikki and Linda from the Disability Royal Commission Advocacy team at Speaking Up For You (SUFY). We'll discuss their role in the Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. We will learn about the Disability Royal Commission, how SUFY works to help you make a submission, wh...

School inclusion is not simply placing a student with a disability into a mainstream class and hoping for the best.  It is an approach, a belief, and a human right for all students with Down syndrome to be included in their local school, and requires thoughtful considerations, adjustments and support for success.  In this episode, listen to our Down Syndrome Queensland Education Consulti...

Get Active is a program offered by Down Syndrome Queensland to help community sporting clubs and coaches enhance their capabilities to provide inclusive sporting and recreational opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disability.  The Get Active program is funded by the Australian Government through the Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity G...

This episode showcases the bond between, and unique perspectives regarding, having a sibling with Down syndrome. We will discuss what this role has brought to the lives of the two siblings interviewed, Bekki and Laurel.  You can read more about the sibling experience in the April 2021 issue of Down Syndrome Australia’s Voice magazine.  Other helpful resources include: Siblings Australia...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Now and the Future Podcast brought to you by Down Syndrome Queensland! Whilst it is commonly known that people with Down syndrome can be more likely to experience a range of possible health conditions, sometimes other non-medical diagnoses are subsequently made. Research is now suggesting that people with Down syndrome can meet diagnostic criteria for conditions such as...

In this episode of Now and the Future Podcast, we will be exploring the importance of nutrition for those who experience co-occurring health conditions or allergies. The role and importance of nutrition will look different across the lifespan; from those difficulties with establishing newborn feeding through to the impact of conditions in adulthood such as diabetes or thyroid concerns, it is vital...

In this episode, we talk to Natalie Graham and Gillian Gehrke about the National Inclusive Communication project. It's being run by Down Syndrome Australia and is looking to promote better health outcomes for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. The project aims to build the capacity of healthcare providers through online training and presentations delivering lived experi...

This week the Now and the Future podcast talks about Wills and Estates with Dion McCurdy, Principal of Direct Lawyers.   With over eight years of experience specialising in Wills and Estates, Dion provides fantastic insight and advice to ensure your affairs are in correct order for the future.  A not to be missed episode for anyone with a child with an intellectual disability. Now A...

In this episode of the ‘Now and the Future’ Podcast, we talk to Teagan from Down Syndrome Queensland about the range of Social Programs offered for adults, teenagers and children to develop social skills and make new friends.   You may of heard about DSQ Club, DSQ Teens, DSQ Kids, Challenge Weekend or DSQ’s New Years Eve Ball; this episode is all about these programs.  Why they are impor...

Identifying as a carer is not always something that comes naturally to families who support a loved one with a disability. The line between what we see as the role of family and what are added or unique responsibilities when a family member has a disability can be very fluid and can also change over time. In this episode, we unpack this further with Kirsten and Claire from Carers Queensland and ex...

The Now And The Future podcast is an exciting way of sharing stories of Down Syndrome Queensland members, opportunities, challenges; and to provide support and expert advice for the Down Syndrome community. Down Syndrome Queensland’s vision is to support, advocate for and empower people with Down Syndrome to take their rightful places as valuable and contributing members of their community, both n...

Latch On and the Continued Education Program (CEP) are two of the Programs delivered by DSQ to help enhance our members learning, now and in the future.  Latch On has recently been introduced into DSQ's Programs and aims to change the lives of young adults with intellectual disabilities through its evidence-based literacy program.  This 2-year program is developed by the University of Qu...

Join DSQ Education Consultant Joelle as she shares some points to consider when a student with Down syndrome enrols in school. Learn about equitable loading, risk-taking and mistake-making, breaking down stereotypes and development progression. Joelle aims to provide educators with some basic understandings about students with Down syndrome in order to support schools to become inclusive learning...

Join Down Syndrome Queensland’s Support Services team, and Peer Leader Niky, to hear about starting the conversation with regards to teaching about safeguarding and setting boundaries. Statistically, people with a disability can be more vulnerable to abuse; and this can be very confronting to process. However, there are strategies that can be used when assisting others to learn about respectful re...

The Peer Support Network is a volunteer program facilitated by Down Syndrome Queensland (DSQ). Peer Supporters are parents and close family members of people with Down syndrome, as well as people with Down Syndrome, across Queensland who want to offer support in their local community. This program is expanding and gaining momentum. Peer support as a model is growing in popularity across many secto...

Get Active is a social inclusion program and accompanying resource kit, offered by Down Syndrome Queensland to sporting communities across the state. The program educates local sport and physical activity providers (clubs, coaches and volunteers) to increase their capability to deliver accessible, inclusive programs that meet the needs of people with DS and other intellectual disabilities. In this...

The Now And The Future podcast is an exciting way of sharing stories of Down Syndrome Queensland members, opportunities, challenges; and to provide support and expert advice for the Down Syndrome community. Down Syndrome Queensland’s vision is to support, advocate for and empower people with Down Syndrome to take their rightful places as valuable and contributing members of their community, both n...