At a glance
- Deniz Yıldızı supports children with intellectual disability and Down syndrome with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- The program is prepared collaboratively by a team including a psychologist, special education teacher, speech and language therapist, and occupational therapist, and is updated every 3 months.
- The studies cover language and communication, cognitive skills, motor development, social skills, and daily living skills.
- One-on-one and group work are carried out in a mixed manner, supported by home programs and parent coaching.
- Our center works together with the family on the side of education and developmental support.
Prepared by: Deniz Yıldızı Special Education content team · Scientific review: Psychologist (MSc) Burcu Cebeci Gürel · Last updated: 15 September 2026
What are intellectual disability and Down syndrome?
Intellectual disability describes significant difficulties in mental functions like learning, reasoning, and problem-solving, as well as in adaptive skills needed in daily life, starting during the developmental period. In the assessment, not only the intelligence test but also the child's skills in daily life are considered.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. Development in children with Down syndrome often progresses more slowly compared to their peers, and they may need learning support. Every child's strengths and needs are different from each other.
These words can be heavy for a newly diagnosed family. We want you to know that a diagnosis is not about what your child cannot do, but a starting point that helps us understand in which areas they need support.
Health issues such as low muscle tone, hearing, and vision conditions may also arise in children with Down syndrome. The tracking of these issues is handled by your physician; we take the information we receive from your physician and you into consideration when planning the education program.
Children with intellectual disability and Down syndrome also learn, develop, and acquire new skills. Learning often progresses with smaller steps, more repetition, and concrete materials. That is why we divide the goals into small parts in the program, planning each step at a level the child can achieve.
In which areas of development is support provided?
The program oversees the child's entire development. The following areas are prioritized based on the assessment results.
Language and communication
Expressing needs, comprehension, expanding vocabulary, and mutual communication. The speech and language therapists at our center provide support in this area.
Cognitive skills
The fundamental building blocks of learning, such as attention, matching, classifying, sequencing, cause-effect relationships, and preschool concepts.
Motor development
Fine motor skills like holding a pencil and using scissors, and gross motor skills like balance and coordination. Our occupational therapist works with the team in this area.
Daily living skills
Increasing the tasks the child can do on their own, such as dressing, eating, toileting, and personal care.
Social skills
Waiting in line, sharing, joining play, and communicating with peers. Group work offers a natural environment for these skills.
Academic readiness
Preparation for early literacy and basic math skills according to the child's age and level.
How does the education program work at our center?
| Topic | How it works at our center |
|---|---|
| Program | Individualized Education Program (IEP) |
| Program prepared by | Prepared collaboratively by the team |
| Update | Every 3 months |
| Session type | Mixed one-on-one and group |
| Age groups | 0–3 years, 3–6 years, 6–12 years, above 12 years |
| Progress tracking | Periodic test repetition and observation notes |
| Information to parent | Brief information at the end of each session |
| Number of sessions | For a student with a Guidance and Research Centre (RAM) report, according to the report; for a student without a report, determined together with the family |
How does the process proceed after applying to the center?
Scheduling an appointment
When you call us, our assistant schedules a day for a comprehensive expert consultation. Requests from the website are replied to on the same day.
Comprehensive Expert Consultation
In a consultation lasting about 1 hour, Burcu Cebeci Gürel takes a detailed developmental history and provides a verbal evaluation.
Assessment
Your child's developmental areas are evaluated with appropriate tools and observation.
Parent coaching
Your child's needs and how you can support them at home are planned uniquely for you.
Program
The team collaboratively prepares the IEP, education starts, and the program is reviewed every 3 months.
Why is early support and family involvement so important?
The earlier developmental support begins, the more the child's learning opportunities increase. Sessions are important, but a large part of learning continues at home and in daily life.
What we recommend to the family
- Regularly following the brief information and home program given at the end of the session
- Turning daily tasks like dressing, eating, and shopping into learning opportunities
- Giving the child time to try on their own
- Noticing and sharing small improvements
- Discussing your questions and concerns with our team
Things to keep in mind
- Constantly comparing the child with their peers can lower motivation
- Doing everything for the child can delay independence
- General information on the internet is not specific to your child
- Decisions regarding health monitoring and diagnosis should be carried out with your physician
How do you support the family outside the sessions?
With the home program, we ensure that the goals worked on in the sessions continue at home. In parent coaching, we work together on how you can provide support during daily routines with concrete examples.
We plan parent coaching uniquely for every family; we consider the child's way of learning and the family's conditions. If the family agrees, we also collaborate with the school and other educators working with the child.
Our team works with weekly supervision; when necessary, case meetings are held with the participation of the psychologist, special education teacher, speech and language therapist, and occupational therapist.
In the initial period following a diagnosis, mothers and fathers have many questions: 'Will they be able to go to school?', 'Will they be able to dress on their own?', 'Will they make friends?' The answers to these questions are different for every child, and it would not be right to give an exact prediction. Our approach is to determine together with you which step can be taken today by getting to know your child closely, and to notice every new skill together.
Other adults in the child's life, such as siblings and grandparents, are also a part of the process. Having everyone at home approach the child with a similar language and in a consistent manner makes it easier for the child to transfer what they learn to daily life.
What do the common terms heard in this field mean?
- Intellectual disability
- A significant difficulty in intellectual functions and daily life adaptive skills starting during the developmental period.
- Down syndrome
- A genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.
- Adaptive behavior
- Skills needed in daily life, such as personal care, communication, and social relationships.
- IEP
- Individualized Education Program; the educational plan where child-specific goals are written.
- Occupational therapy
- A therapy field that supports participation in daily life activities and motor skills.
- Fine motor skill
- Movements made with hand and finger muscles, such as holding a pencil or buttoning.
- Home program
- A plan prepared with the family to continue the goals in the sessions at home.
- RAM
- Guidance and Research Centre (RAM); the institution that handles the special education report and referral processes.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an education program for children with Down syndrome?
Yes. Down syndrome and intellectual disability are among the areas our center supports. The team collaboratively prepares an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for every child.
Do you make the diagnosis?
No. Our center works on the side of developmental assessment and educational support, and refers to a physician when necessary.
At what age can education begin?
At our center, we work with groups of 0–3 years, 3–6 years, 6–12 years, and above 12 years. Generally, starting developmental support early increases the child's learning opportunities.
Who prepares the program?
The program is prepared collaboratively by a team including a psychologist, special education teacher, speech and language therapist, and occupational therapist. The program is updated every 3 months.
My child has difficulty speaking, can they receive language support?
Two speech and language therapists work at our center. Language and communication goals are added to the child's program based on the assessment results.
Do you provide occupational therapy support?
Yes, one occupational therapist works at our center. Goals related to motor skills and daily living activities are handled in coordination with the team.
How long does the education take?
Since every child's development is different, we do not give an exact duration. We track progress with periodic test repetitions and observation notes, and review the program every 3 months.
What can I do at home?
We prepare a home program for you and, through parent coaching, work together on how you can support them in daily routines. Moments like dressing, eating, and playing are valuable learning opportunities.
I have a RAM report, how is the number of sessions determined?
For students with a Guidance and Research Centre (RAM) report, the session arrangement varies according to the report. For students without a report, we determine the number of sessions together with the family.
How will I be informed of my child's progress?
You are given brief information at the end of each session. Additionally, progress is tracked through periodic test repetitions and observation notes.
Do you communicate with their school?
If the family agrees, we collaborate with the school and other educators working with the child. Harmony between the home, school, and center supports the child's learning.
What should I do for the first consultation?
You can request a comprehensive expert consultation by calling us. Burcu Cebeci Gürel takes a detailed history in a consultation lasting about 1 hour and provides you with a verbal evaluation.
