Auckland Down Syndrome Association

Are you ready for buddy walk 2020?

Buddy Walk is a worldwide event to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Auckland event will be held on Sunday 22 March 2020 at Tahaki Reserve in Mt Eden. Can you help us to make this day a success? #BuddyWalkAkl

Welcome!

We are here to help families and carers, whether you have a new baby or care for an adult with Down syndrome.

Free membership

Find out the benefits of becoming a member of our organisation.

Support through all life stages

Information to help with your child’s education and learning from birth to adulthood.

Meet other families

Join a new baby support group, a coffee group or a social club.

Join our organisation today

We are a family/whanāu support organisation. We provide information and support for people with Down syndrome and their families.

Our 'Down syndrome: Success in School' course is for...

SENCO’s, teachers and teacher aides
specialist staff
occupational therapists, and
parent educators

Course presenters

See below some of the speakers in two-day course that is held twice every year. For full bio's on all our course presenters, visit the 'Presenter Profiles' page.

Jude has a background in primary teaching, teacher education and disability research. She has worked as a lecturer in Education at Otago University and as a Senior Researcher at the Donald Beasley Institute in Dunedin undertaking research in teaching, learning and disability.

Dr Jude McArthur Speaking on 'Inclusion'

Sally is a speech-language therapist who is passionate about communication and literacy for children with complex communication and learning needs. She teaches the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) course and coordinates the postgraduate program at Massey University.

Dr Sally Clendon Speaking on 'Literacy and how to use the curriculum'

Fiona is a speech-language therapist who completed her Bachelors degree in speech-language therapy in New Zealand, receiving a research scholarship to investigate the relationship between speech and feeding difficulties. Fiona then worked in the UK in special schools and child development teams

Fiona Kenworthy Speaking on 'Using visuals to assist children in accessing the curriculum'

Course participant feedback: “It was such an incredible day, I learnt so much! My brain is so full so I am heading home shortly to unpack it all and get ready for another full day tomorrow.”