World Down Syndrome Day 2025 calls for all governments to 'Improve Our Support Systems'
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
WDSD is an opportunity to raise awareness about Down syndrome and celebrate people with the condition, as well as advocating for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome. This year's theme is "Improve Our Support Systems" recognising that many countries do not have support systems that meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families, or the support systems that do exist do not respect their human rights. Without appropriate support systems, people with disabilities are excluded from society.
We can all make changes to help include people with Down syndrome. In the video below Caz Pennington, Director at Explorer Dome, shares some useful Makaton signs that you can use to help support visitors to your centre or museum.
What is Makaton?
Makaton is the UK's leading language programme for adults and children with learning or communication difficulties. It combines signs, symbols and speech to give different options for people to communicate.
Using signs can help people who do not use speech. Symbols can help people who have limited speech, or who cannot or prefer not to sign.
Learn some Makaton below
Caz Pennington shares some Makaton signs you can use with your visitors.
Previously, ASDC spoke to families with children who have Down syndrome to find out what their children like, and dislike, when it comes to science and play.
Here are some top tips, written by parents from the group Positive About Down Syndrome:
- Let them be part of experiments. children with Down syndrome are as curious and full of wonder as the children next to her (maybe even more so!!).
- Make science fun. Learning can be a side-effect, but the primary motivation for designing interactivity is to make the experience enjoyable!
- Children with Down syndrome are visual learners. This means that they needs to see and experience learning rather than just listening to someone talk.
- They love to move things (part of the trajectory schema), so any activities with water/sand/foam are fab.
- Don’t assume that because they are pre-verbal/non-verbal they won’t understand.
- Consequences engagement is brilliant: push button —> X happens, slide panel —> Y happens.
- Cause and effect activities are brilliant.
- Some of our children love sensory activities (they are sensory seekers), while others will avoid stimulating their senses too much.
- Always use 'people first' language.
Language is really important to people from the Down syndrome community. Rather than defining people by their disability, people-first language conveys respect by emphasising the fact that people are first and foremost that — people.
Please read and share this great resource, Language Creates Reality, written by the mum of a little boy with Down syndrome. Created and designed by Rebecca Hulbert and design studio Bear and Pear, these series of cards offer a fresh new way of sharing and using appropriate language around Down Syndrome.