Down Syndrome: The Essentials

Enrolments for this course are currently closed and will reopen in May 2026

This e-learn provides the learner with a single place to access much of what is needed to be able to provide the best health care to people with Down syndrome. The e-learn also invites and equips the learner with information and tools to challenge bias and stigma towards intellectual disability and to advocate for a more inclusive society. 'Down syndrome: The Essentials' is an action towards positively influencing the current appalling health statistics for people with intellectual disability in Australia.

In 2020, Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) asked members with Down syndrome what they wanted health professionals to know. People with Down syndrome want health professionals to not only know more about Down syndrome but also about communication with people with Down syndrome.

"...don't talk to me like I AM Down syndrome. I am a PERSON who has Down syndrome."

This e-learn addresses the wants and needs of people with Down syndrome.

In 2018 the first national survey on attitudes toward people with disability was undertaken and 78% of respondents agreed that they were unsure how to act toward people with disability.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states: People with disability have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination.

There is currently great disparity between the health of Australian's with intellectual disability and the general population. People with intellectual disability have:

• twice the rate of avoidable deaths
• low rates of preventative healthcare and there is minimal training for health professionals
• the average medical degree only has 2.6 hours of training in intellectual disability

This course provides the evidence-based much-needed further education for health professionals.