Down's Syndrome: Spanish Federation Seeks to Improve Early Intervention Services
Information from DISNNET PRESS (disnetco@yahoo.com), No. 569, October 16, 2002, edited by Luis Fernando Astorga Gatjens, IID (lferag@racsa.co.cr)
There are an estimated 32,000 persons with Down's Syndrome in Spain. The proportion has been diminished in recent years (it is estimated at 11 children with Down's Syndrome for every 10,000 in Spain. This proportion is similar to the figures of this type of disability in Europe.
This is a relatively young population, but its life expectancy is increasing (more than 80% of persons with Down's Syndrome in Spain are older than 45 years old). The number of persons with Down's Syndrome enrolled in the regular educational system is increasing. At present, 75% of the children with Down's Syndrome younger than 14 years of age are in regular classes. The real problem comes with finding jobs: less than 3% of persons with Down's Syndrome of working age (20 years or older) in Spain, have any type of work related activity.
The Federation of Down's Syndrome of Spain (Federación Española de Síndrome de Down, FEISD) has now elaborated a proposal, explained by its President, Pedro Otón:
"Early Intervention is fundamental for the educational process of persons with Down's syndrome, just as important as the first years of life are for child development. It has proven many benefits for the child and the family."
Mr. Otón also told us: "We have to pursue the improvement of Early Intervention services, from our perspective, with the following measures:
- Establish means to improve the way that information concerning Down's Syndrome is explained to the families;
- Foster the participation of the family in Early Intervention Programs; and
- Promote the establishment of officially defined study courses for the training of personnel at the public sector on Early Intervention."
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