How UpsideDowns Helped Olivia Start School Strong

Our partner charity, UpsideDowns, is helping kids with Down syndrome thrive at school by giving them the communication tools they need to succeed. Olivia’s journey from speech therapy to the classroom shows just how powerful consistent support can be for her, her family, and her future.

Starting at school is one of the most exciting milestones in a child’s life and UpsideDowns is privileged to walk beside many of Aotearoa’s kids with Down syndrome as they begin their education journeys. Olivia, 5 1⁄2 and living in Hamilton, has been attending speech and language therapy funded by UpsideDowns since she was 2; she’s now ready to take her developing communication skills into the classroom at her local primary school!

The transition into school is a time of challenges for any child and kids with Down syndrome usually need some extra assistance. Olivia is lucky to have a very supportive family ready to help her navigate her path into mainstream education.

“A year ago I decided to give up work, knowing that the transition to school wasn’t going to be easy,” says Olivia’s mother, Michelle. “I also didn’t want to put her into after school care, because it was already going to be quite a transition, going from fun daycare where she can play and do what she wants, to structured learning.”

At the end of last year they started slow and steady, easing her into class life for three hours a day, with a teacher aide there the whole time for support. This year Olivia has already made great progress, extending her school hours to include lunchtime in a social club and periods in which her teacher aide steps back to allow her to experience the classroom independently.

Olivia’s Secret Weapon

Speech-language therapy is the key helping to unlock Olivia’s educational potential. Without this intervention, most children with Down syndrome will remain non-verbal and be unable to participate in mainstream education. Sadly, this service is not publicly funded in Aotearoa and private therapy is far too costly for many whānau. That’s why UpsideDowns was established – so all Kiwi kids with Down syndrome can access speech and language therapy. Because no family should have to decide between paying the bills or giving their child a voice.

With UpsideDowns’ help, Olivia’s family has been able to consistently see therapist Melva at Hamilton’s Tongue Twisters, working on an individualised plan to help Olivia reach her potential.

“She is beyond amazing,” says Michelle about Melva. “She is so passionate about what she does, it’s not just a job for her.”

At her fortnightly sessions with Melva, Olivia learns important skills such as forming words, building sentences, telling stories, and following directions. All crucial elements for life in the classroom. As much as she’s coaching Olivia, Melva is also teaching her parents the strategies they need to continue the good work in the home.

“She shows us games we can play at home that teach Olivia how to say words clearly without her realising — to Olivia it’s just a game,” explains Michelle. “She teaches my husband and I, and we pass the strategies on to Olivia’s brothers, sisters, and teachers.”

The Classroom and Beyond

With this supportive team around her — her loving family, amazing speech-language therapist, learning coordinators and teachers — Olivia is all set to succeed in primary school. She’s on track to achieve the sort of long-term goals every kid deserves; to be fully integrated into the classroom, to participate meaningfully, and to be part of a friendship group that values her as a peer.

And, of course, mum has some beautiful dreams for her girl in the future:

“I’d love Oliva to go on and be an ambassador for Down syndrome and show people how amazing people with Down syndrome are. How they can live full lives as a valuable part of the community.”

Words and images supplied by UpsideDowns