Children with Down syndrome benefit tremendously from being in an ordinary primary school environment and advance significantly in terms of language, reading, writing and arithmetic, according to a Dutch researcher.

Gert de Graaf, from Amstelveen, has written his doctoral thesis on the policy of including more Downs children in ordinary Dutch primary schools.

Some 25% years ago, just 1% of Downs children went to an ordinary school, but now more than half spend time being educated with their peers, Trouw reported on Thursday.

Special schools

In particular, Down children are more advanced in their reading, writing and mathematical skills than other Down children who have only attended special schools, De Graaf found.

Schools get additional financial help to deal with special needs pupils and this extra classroom attention can make the difference, De Graaf, who is a research student at Ghent University, says.

However, full cooperation of the school and a good relationship between teacher and parents is essential, he says.