A randomised controlled trial of an intervention designed to teach reading and language skills to children with Down syndrome. The study was conducted by researchers at Down Syndrome Education International and at The Centre for Reading and Language at the University of York. This archive includes data from a randomised controlled trial of an intervention designed to teach reading and language skills to children with Down syndrome. The study was conducted by researchers at Down Syndrome Education International and at The Centre for Reading and Language at the University of York. Our research explores how children with Down syndrome develop and learn, and identifies more effective teaching approaches and therapies. We have a unique focus and a successful 30-year track record in delivering research that today is improving educational outcomes for many thousands of young people with Down syndrome around the world. We focus on practical scientific studies of young people with Down syndrome that identify their precise learning difficulties and that evaluate teaching approaches and therapies designed to meet their particular needs. We take a 'real world' view of development, studying learning for young people with Down syndrome in everyday family life and in school. Many things influence development, including our genes, our families and communities, and the opportunities that we are offered. Our research examines all of these factors in the context of the complex and cumulative processes of human development.

Trained TAs delivered a reading and language intervention to children on an individual basis in daily 40-min sessions in the children’s schools. The performance of children who received the intervention for 40 weeks (intervention group) was compared to a waiting control group who continued with their regular education during the first 20 weeks (which included one-to-one support from a TA) before receiving the intervention in just the second 20-week period. This information is included in our paper; for further information and description of the study and link to handbook and resources for teachers, please see our RLI website (Related Resources).