Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress

MDSC’s renowned National Parents First Call Center is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Eunie’s Buddies, a new, innovative program from our friends at Best Buddies International. The collaboration will mean that MDSC and Best Buddies in Massachusetts & Rhode Island will be able to provide a seamless experience for new and expectant families, ensuring that they are fully supported as they learn about the full potential of all individuals with IDD and the many programs and resources available to help in their journey. Learn more about the MDSC’s National First Call Center at mdsc.org/npfcc and Eunie’s Buddies at https://lnkd.in/gsf5bpYJ. See the full collaboration announcement at https://lnkd.in/gJ4wF5tA?

Upcoming Education Webinar! The Ache of Your Absence: Creating Communities of Belonging for Individuals with Down Syndrome Tuesday, January 14th 7:00-8:30pm ET Students learn best and flourish most when assured of their belonging. Yet, many schools still struggle to become places of widespread and meaningful inclusion for children and youth with disabilities. Dr. Carter will share a powerful framework for reflecting upon and fostering belonging within our schools and classrooms. Together, we will explore the implications of this work on the ways we welcome, support, educate, and embrace students with and without disabilities alike. Presented by Erik Carter, Ph.D., Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities Erik Carter, Ph.D., is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University. His research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and youth with developmental disabilities. He has published more than 300 articles and chapters, along with seven books. He proudly serves as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, which works to promote the flourishing of people with disabilities, their families, and communities. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gmAVcCD4 This webinar will be recorded!

October is not only Down Syndrome Awareness Month, it’s also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In recognition, we are proud to feature the amazing self advocate entrepreneurs who are selling their exclusive wares on MDSC’s online Your Next Star Shop. To explore the products and make a purchase to support the entrepreneurs and MDSC’s many employment initiatives, visit www.yournextstar.com/shop Kayla Renee Snover, Max Mix Gourmet Spice Blends, Tucker Collins #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndromeawarenessmonth #nationaldisabilityemploymentawarenessmonth #ndeam #downsyndrome #entrepreneurship

We are thrilled to have Zach Rossetti, Ph.D. presenting this year's keynote, "Equal Ground: Meaningful Collaboration to Support all Students" at the upcoming Educators Forum on Wednesday, November 13th. Dr. Rossetti is an Associate Professor in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University. A former special education teacher and inclusion facilitator from New Hampshire, Dr. Rossetti’s research focuses on social interactions and friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), specifically the contexts and dynamics of such relationships and how educators and families may facilitate social opportunities. His research also examines the experiences of families with children with IDD by centering on participation and language access in IEP meetings, community participation, family-professional partnerships of culturally and linguistically diverse families, and sibling roles and relationships. Despite increased attention and research during the past three decades, systemic barriers continue to hamper meaningful collaboration among school team members and between school team members and families of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Dr. Rossetti's keynote will emphasize effective strategies to enhance collaboration and support all students to be successful. Dr. Rossetti will also be presenting the workshop, "Friends matter: Meaningful Collaboration for Inclusion and Belonging." To learn more or to register, visit: www.mdsc.org/EdForum

Upcoming Education Webinar! Improving Literacy Outcomes for Learners with Down Syndrome Tuesday, September 24th 7-8:30pm ET Literacy is a critical skill for learners with Down syndrome. The purpose of this talk is to share recent research findings and related guidance to help parents and educators target literacy goals and provide research-based interventions and supports. The presentation will include a summary of recent research, ideas for parents and educators to target literacy outcomes, and a review of available online resources. Time for Q&A will also be provided. Presented by: Christopher J. Lemons, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Stanford University Christopher J. Lemons, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University and Co-Director of the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center. His research focuses on improving academic outcomes for children and adolescents with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities. Lemons is a recipient of the Pueschel-Tjossem Research Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress and the Distinguished Early Career Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division for Research. In 2016, Lemons received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers, from President Obama. Prior to entering academia, Lemons taught in several special education settings including a preschool autism unit, an elementary resource and inclusion program, and a middle school life skills classroom. This webinar will be recorded. For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/eRVe6Dfb

Registration is officially open! The MDSC is pleased to present our 2024 Educators Forum, Pathways to Meaningful Inclusion: Strategies for Today and Tomorrow, on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at the College of the Holy Cross. Join over 200 general and special educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, support professionals, and parents from around the state for a full-day of presentations led by experts in the field of educating students with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. The workshop program for this conference will highlight the goals, challenges and solutions to ongoing issues facing education professionals each day as they work to provide meaningful inclusive educational opportunities for students in all educational settings. Educators will earn 6 PDPs! Early-bird registration is available until Wednesday, October 16th. For more information or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/eUwBjMTh

Upcoming Expert Webinar Planning for the Future Wednesday, September 18 6:30-8:00pm ET Join us for a webinar presented by Fred Misilo, Attorney, Chair, Trust and Estate Department, Fletcher Tilton PC - Attorneys at Law, to learn the fundamental planning strategies used in creating an estate plan for the benefit of a family member with Down syndrome. We will review the overall objectives of such a plan including, for example, maximizing eligibility for government benefits, ensuring that future decisions by Trustees and supporters are made in an informed fashion consistent with the expressed preferences and best interests of a family member with Down syndrome, integrating fundamental estate planning considerations such as minimizing exposure to estate tax liability as well as Probate Court estate administration and reviewing the overall structure of a sound and holistic estate plan. Fred Misilo, Jr., Esq. Pe, Department Chair, Trust and Estate Department, Fletcher Tilton PC Frederick M. Misilo is the Chair of the firm's Trust and Estate Department and is a member of the firm's Management Committee. His practice focuses on all aspects of estate planning, including the areas of elder law, special needs planning, estate administration, trusts and foundations, guardianship, and adult service advocacy. A former Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Mr. Misilo has spent his career as an advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition to his legal work, he is also involved in numerous advocacy organizations. In November 2018, Mr. Misilo was elected to a two-year term as president of The Arc of the United States, the nation’s largest and oldest community-based civil rights organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It has more than 650 chapters, more than 100,000 employees and serves more than 1,000,000 individuals across the country. Mr. Misilo is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Florida. This webinar will be recorded. For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/dDmi6v5V

We hope you’ll join us for this upcoming webinar! A Journey to Successful Toilet Training Monday, June 17, 2024 7:00-8:30pm ET $10 per registrant Join us for a dynamic webinar about navigating the complex journey of toilet training specifically for individuals with Down syndrome. Dr. Lina Patel, PsyD will discuss potential medical, behavioral, learning, and environmental factors that can impact successful toilet training and provide strategies to overcome unique challenges for those with Down syndrome. For more information and to register, click here: https://lnkd.in/eFUrpV3h This webinar will be recorded, but we encourage registrants to attend live to participate in the Q&A. Lina Patel, PsyD is an Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, practicing at Children’s Hospital Colorado.?Dr. Patel is the Director of the Down Syndrome Behavioral Health Collaborative, a virtual clinic providing tele-behavioral health services to?children, teens and young adults with Down syndrome.?She provides consultation with schools, parent training regarding the management of challenging or unsafe behaviors, toilet training, and desensitization to medical devices (such as hearing aids and CPAP) and evaluation for dual diagnoses, including autism. She has worked with hundreds of individuals with Down syndrome. Outside of her clinical work, she conducts research as the Director of Neurodevelopmental, Behavioral and Cognitive Assessment at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. Additionally, she has presented to numerous organizations across the country and internationally and is the coauthor “Potty Time for Kids with Down Syndrome: Lose the Diapers, Not Your Patience”.

UPCOMING WEBINAR — Facilitating Breastfeeding in Babies with Down Syndrome Join Jill Rabin, SLP, IBCLC and Rachel Murphy, RN, IBCLC on Thursday, May 9 from 7-9pm ET for a dynamic webinar on how to support mothers who want to breastfeed their babies with Down syndrome. Topics include why breastfeeding is uniquely important for babies with Down syndrome and how to deal with special topics like low tone, excessive sleepiness, medical complexities, establishing supply, and helping the family to identify and tap into resources prenatally to support them through their journey. This webinar is designed for medical professionals, including lactation consultants, nurses, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physicians. The training will equip these professionals with a foundation of information and resources to facilitate breastfeeding in babies with Down syndrome and provide support to families through their breastfeeding journey. *2 L-CERPS AVAILABLE* Investment: $50 For more information and to register, visit?https://lnkd.in/eMRV7Ysi #ibclc?#ibclccertifiedlactationconsultant #breastfeedingsupport?#lactationconsultant?#ibclcintraining #ibclccontinuingeducation?#lcerps?#ibclccerps #breastfeedingdownsyndrome?#downsyndromeawareness #downsyndrome

The MDSC is thrilled to offer the upcoming webinar, Language and Literacy-Access and Opportunities, on Tuesday, May 21st from 7-8:30pm ET. Presented by Caitlin Shanley, MS CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist Boston Public Schools. During this presentation, Caitlin Shanley will discuss strategies to provide communication opportunities for children in the early stages of language development and beyond as well as the many ways to increase a student’s access to literacy at all ages. This discussion will include, but is not limited to, discussing early language development tips, communication logs, play, tapping into your student's interests and motivation, low and high tech AAC use in Play and Literacy, shared reading resources, and how using AI/ChatGpt can support your student/child. Caitlin will use examples from her classroom and also provide take home resources for families/educators to apply at home and in the classroom. This webinar will be recorded. Register here: https://lnkd.in/euFFecDT