Working Life: Fidelma Brady, education officer, Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI)

Fidelma Brady, education officer, Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI).

7.30am

With adult children, I have just myself to organise. Rising time depends on whether I’m conducting a school visit. I’m the only education officer, so I’ve a lot of miles to cover. I’ve carried out 70 school visits since September and we really depend on fundraising to keep the show on the road.

8.30am

I leave home in Cavan for a nearby primary school. Generally, I meet with the class teacher and/or the special needs teacher, and sometimes with the parents of the child with Down syndrome.

We typically discuss the child’s progress and how to improve their school experience. It’s becoming the norm for Down syndrome children who attend mainstream primary to move onto mainstream secondary school.

10.30am

The class teacher is not really trained to deal with children with special needs and has a lot of questions for me. My background is primary school teaching and I am passionate about special education. I pass on advice and information that I hope will be useful in the classroom.

1pm

I return home to so some admin work, trying to update resources with limited finances, and looking at best practice.

2pm

I make contact with head office in Ballymount. Some days, I travel in to attend meetings with other members of our support team. We are a small group, with the singular aim of improving the lot of children with Down syndrome.

We regularly hold seminars for parents and teachers to update them on any new developments or services. We are hoping the Government will extend a pilot in-school speech-and-language therapy programme, announced in last year’s budget. It would greatly benefit DS children as they have difficulties expressing themselves.

6pm

I find it hard to switch off, but with my daughter and son planning weddings this year, there’s plenty of distraction. I am also studying for a doctorate at Queens University — examining parents’ perspectives on the inclusion of children with Down syndrome in primary schools. I hope the findings will be put to good use.

HB Fundays Campaign to raise funds for DSI members, aged four to 18,in education. To host your own HB Fundays Ice Cream Party, this May or June, freephone 1890 37 37 37, or register online at www.downsyndrome.ie to receive your party pack