Conclusions of The 6th World Congress on Down Syndrome
Conclusions of The 6th World Congress on Down Syndrome as presented at the closing session of the Congress held in Madrid, 23rd-26th October, 1997
. (1998) Conclusions of The 6th World Congress on Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 5(1), 47-48. doi:10.3104/proceedings.401
The aim of the 6th World Congress was to give an
answer to the challenges facing persons with Down syndrome as the 21st century
approaches, formulating the following proposals and conclusions:
- The promotion of genetic investigation in order
to probe deeper into knowledge of chromosome 21's identity (especially finding
out what each gene lodged inside it is responsible for and how they interact),
as well as to probe into knowledge of mechanisms intervening in the
non-disjunction to prevent the appearance of the syndrome.
- The study of the specificity in Down syndrome,
trying to isolate typical characteristics of Down syndrome so that it is
possible from specialisation to design more efficient instruments of a medical
and psychopaedological nature for the rehabilitation and education of persons
with Down syndrome.
- The search for practical solutions (strategies,
programmes, methods, etc) which, taking into account findings of recent
scientific research, provide concrete solutions applicable to the health care,
early attention, education, social and labour integration of persons with Down
syndrome.
- To specify the quality of life model proposed
for persons with Down syndrome in three aspects: a) that their needs and
expectations are met, b) that they develop all their potentialities and c) that
they enjoy all their rights.
- In the area of health: an endeavour must be made
to spread and establish preventative medical programmes for Down syndrome
everywhere in the world and also to maintain a critical attitude towards
therapies not confirmed scientifically. By applying the principle "the same
cases require the same treatment", organ transplants for persons with Down
syndrome who require them should be encouraged.
- Becoming aware of the important role of the
family as the Down syndrome person's first natural nucleus of integration will
encourage actions to be taken that are addressed towards effective training and
the involvement of parents in the attention, education and social insertion of
their children.
- Specialised attention must preferentially reach
those persons with Down syndrome who have other additional serious limitations
or needs which prevent their effective integration. Attention could be given to
them in specialised centres, with the support of the family, attaining the level
of normalisation that is possible in each case.
- In the field of education the Congress
decisively supported three criteria: a) inclusion, with the proper supports, in
an ordinary school, b) specific programmes and curriculum adaptations and c) the
application of new technologies in the classroom as a particularly useful
strategy.
- The Congress called attention to the importance
that the adult life of persons with Down syndrome has at the present time,
including self advocacy, in such a way that the services provided are adapted to
their rights, needs and demands, guaranteeing a positive quality of life.
- All the means at our disposal must be used to
encourage effective integration of persons with Down syndrome in school, work,
culture and social life, with the understanding that non-discrimination means
equal opportunities. Likewise, the change towards a better social image and
participation of persons with Down syndrome in public life must be pursued.
- Training and employment of Down syndrome persons in ordinary firms must be a priority as a source of personal realisation and autonomy and full participation in the life of the community
- Encouragement must be given to the worldwide creation of specific associations for Down syndrome, independent from the associations which attend to persons with mental retardation in general. These associations should claim representation and financial support from governmental departments.
- The Down syndrome associations must ensure that
parents, professionals and persons with Down syndrome are integrated in their
organisations and management and they must be guided and reorganised by
democratic principles.
- The services - to create them whenever
necessary - have to respond to criteria of quality, efficiency and social
economy and insofar as possible they have to be rendered and integrated in the
normal services of the community.
- The training of specialists in University and in post-graduate courses is fundamental if persons with Down syndrome are to receive global and specialised attention in accordance with their needs.
Mr. S. Al Malaq (Saudi Arabia), Prof. F. Astudillo (Spain), Prof. M.Beeghly (USA), Prof. R. I. Brown (Australia), Prof. S. Buckley (UK), Prof. C. Epstein (USA), Prof. A. Fortuny (Spain), Prof. C. Garcia-Pastor (Spain), Prof. M. J. Guralnick (USA), Prof. R. Hodapp (USA), Mrs. M. Madnick (USA), Mrs Ma M. N. Mendonca (Brazil), Mrs. J. Mills (Canada), Prof. E. Momotani (Japan), Prof. E. Montobbio (Italy), Prof. L. Nadel (USA), Prof. R. R. Olbrisch (Germany), Prof. J. Perera (Spain), Prof. S. Pueschel (USA), Prof. A. Rasore-Quartino (Italy), Mrs. P. Robertson (Indonesia), Prof. J. A. Rondal (Belgium), Prof. J. Rynders (USA), Prof. B. Sacks (UK), Mrs. M. Schoeman (South Africa), Prof. W. Silverman (USA), Prof. P. M. Sinet (France), Mrs. R. Sneh (Israel), Prof. D. C. Van Dyke (USA), Prof. J. E. Wann (Sweden), Prof. H. A. Wisniewski (USA), Prof. K. Wisniewski (USA).
