The Down Syndrome seminar held at Beaconhouse I9 campus aimed to raise awareness and educate staff about Down Syndrome, its characteristics, and effective support strategies for students with the condition.
The purpose of the seminar was to enhance understanding among teachers and staff, promoting inclusive education practices that align with Beaconhouse School System’s (BSS) policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for supporting students with special needs.
The audience consisted of teachers and other staff members who are involved in the day-to-day interaction with students. The seminar included insightful presentations and discussions on early identification, intervention strategies, and fostering an inclusive classroom environment.
The guest speaker for the seminar was Dr . Tayyaba Khan from KDSP (Karachi Down Syndrome Program), who shared valuable knowledge and resources related to Down Syndrome.
During the seminar, Dr. Tayyaba engaged participants in a powerful empathy-building activity. She handed out pencils and instructed everyone to draw a simple shape, but with their non-dominant hand. The exercise quickly highlighted the difficulty of controlling movement and precision in an unexpected way. As participants struggled with shaky lines and imprecise control, Dr. Tayyaba connected this experience to the low muscle tone that many individuals with Down Syndrome have. She explained how tasks we find easy, like writing or drawing, can feel challenging for them due to low muscle tone, which impacts fine motor skills.
This activity helped the audience gain a tangible sense of what these everyday tasks feel like, fostering empathy and understanding for the perseverance required by people with Down Syndrome in daily activities.
The event emphasized BSS’s commitment to inclusive education and providing tailored support for students with diverse learning needs, in line with the school’s policy to create a nurturing and accessible learning environment for all students.
The Down Syndrome seminar aimed to deepen practitioners’ understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of individuals with Down Syndrome. This awareness not only enhances their knowledge but also fosters empathy, which is essential in providing meaningful support.
