Personal information
Biography
Sue Buckley is a leading expert in education and development for young people with Down syndrome. Sue began research examining early reading instruction for children with Down syndrome in 1980 and founded Down Syndrome Education International in 1986. Her research and contributions to the lives of young people with Down syndrome has been widely recognised through numerous awards.
Sue Buckley is a Chartered Psychologist with many years of experience in the field of developmental disability. Sue read Psychology at the University of Reading, UK, and trained in Clinical Psychology. She worked in the National Health Service for several years and moved to teaching in the Psychology Department at the University of Portsmouth in 1975.
Sue continued clinical work in the community establishing early intervention services in the 1970s and began research into the learning needs of children with Down syndrome in 1980. She continued to teach and research in the University as well as establish the work of Down Syndrome Education International from 1980. She also worked on national and local government bodies tasked with improving services for individuals with disabilities.
Sue was awarded a personal chair and appointed Professor by the University in 1994 in recognition of her work in research and teaching in developmental disability. In 2000, she left the University to work full-time for DSEI while retaining her research links with the University, which awarded her Emeritus Professor status. She is currently active in research, training and publishing.
Sue has travelled widely to speak at conferences and training events and she is in high demand as a speaker. She has also published widely for families, practitioners and researchers and played a leading role in stimulating growth in research into the education and development of children with Down syndrome worldwide.
Sue's unique contribution to the scientific understanding of Down syndrome and to improving early intervention and education for children with Down syndrome has been widely recognised by families, Down syndrome organisations and colleagues. She has received many awards, including:
The inaugural scientific award at the first international Biennial Scientific Conference on Down Syndrome in 1998
An OBE for her services to special needs education in the Queen's 2004 Birthday Honours List
The Theodore D Tjossen Research Award by the National Down Syndrome Congress in the USA in 2005
National Down Syndrome Congress' Education Award "for improving the lives of children with Down syndrome by developing innovative research-based education techniques" in 2016
Sue is knowledgeable about most aspects of the development of children and adolescents with Down syndrome, but her special area of expertise is cognitive development, particularly language, literacy and memory development. Sue also has first hand experience of many of the issues that affect families as the eldest of her three children, Roberta, has Down syndrome and was adopted into Sue's family when a baby.