Webinar: Learn About the Speech Accessibility Project
Wednesday, December 18th | 12:00 PMHelp make technology more accessible for people with Down syndrome!
The MDSC is proud to partner with The Speech Accessibility Project at the University of Illinois Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology to help recruit participants for an important research initiative. The Speech Accessibility Project’s goal is to improve speech recognition technology for people whose disabilities affect their voices. The project is funded by Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. The research team is currently recruiting adults with Down syndrome (18+) to participate!
The research team is excited to host a webinar for the MDSC community to learn more this project, how to participate, and the impact it will have on the disability community!
*this will be recorded and all registrants will receive the recording following the live webinar*
January AIM Meetup: Cozy Winter Crafts! For ages 13-22, parents & caregivers
Saturday, January 4th | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMTeens and young adults are invited to join us for a cozy morning to make winter-themed crafts while sipping hot chocolate! For those who prefer to just come and hang with friends, there are plenty of board games to be played along with pool, foosball, and air hockey!A gluten free snack and drink will be served.
When: Saturday, January 4th
10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Brookline Teen Center
40 Aspinwall Ave
Brookline, MA 02446
Cost: $20 per Meetup
See registration below for details. Scholarships available.
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Parents & Caregivers – Stay and Connect During AIM!
Parents and caregivers are invited to stay for the Parent & Caregiver Session which will take place in a conference room at the Brookline Teen Center. We will continue to discuss transition-related topics, share resources, and learn from one another’s experiences. Snacks and drinks will be served.
AIM Meetups ARE drop off events. Parents and caregivers are not obligated to stay for the Parent & Caregiver Session.
January SAAC Social: Frosty Festivities! For ages 20+
Friday, January 24th | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMThe MDSC is thrilled to be partnering with Walnut Street Center to host “Frosty Festivities,” an evening filled with ice cream and sorbet sundaes, winter crafts, music and dancing, for adults ages 20+! Come to CHILL with old friends and new and celebrate the wonders of winter!
When: Friday, January 24th
6:00 -8:00pm
Where: Walnut Street Center
291 Mystic Avenue
Medford, MA 02155
Cost: Free to attend!
Registration required. See below.
*Please note, this is a drop off event. Parents and caregivers are welcome to stay if preferred.
Special Health Care Needs and Behavioral Needs Support Group – Autism as co-occurring diagnosis & behavior concerns
Saturday, January 25th | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AMThe Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) and the Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program are co-hosting a quarterly support group for families of children with Down syndrome and special health care and/or behavioral needs.
Parents, please join us for a Zoom to connect with others and feel supported on Saturday, October 26 from 9 – 10:30 AM with Angela Lombardo, LICSW and Sarah Cullen. The topic of this meeting will be Autism as co-occurring diagnosis & behavior concerns.
GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Yamini Jagannath Howe
Dr. Yamini Jagannath Howe is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and Site Medical Director for Cortica Burlington site in Massachusetts. Dr. Howe has dedicated her career to the diagnosis and ongoing care of young children with learning, behavioral, or communication challenges that co-occur with autism or neurogenetic conditions. Her patient care is informed by lived experience as a mother of two, one of whom has an intellectual disability due to Down syndrome. She works with families to develop holistic treatment plans that may include medication and other therapies to support their child’s wellness and ongoing development. With training from top institutions around New England (MIT, Tufts, Brown) and work experience at MGH and Harvard Medical school, Dr. Howe brings empathy and excellence to her clinical care. She is the recipient of Best of Boston 2022, 2023, and 2024 awards and has been actively involved in research, education, and advocacy work.
PLEASE pre-register so we can follow-up with friendly reminders closer to the meeting. Email Sarah Cullen at scullen@mdsc.org or Angela Lombardo at angela.lombardo@childrens.harvard.edu for more information!
We are here for you!
MDSC 41st Anniversary Conference (Save the Date)
Saturday, March 29th | 9am - 430pmSave the date for the MDSC 41st Annual Conference, where we will welcome individuals with Down syndrome, family members, health care professionals, and educators from across New England to come together to hear the latest research findings and timely information from national and local experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome.
The conference features presentations that appeal to families with young children through adulthood, and many sessions for educators, medical professionals, and siblings of individuals with Down syndrome. As always, our attendees will share stories, celebrate victories, advocate for acceptance and inclusion, and reunite with other MDSC families.
The 41st Annual Conference will focus on the state of research in Down syndrome, highlighting innovation in clinical trials, studies and initiatives underway nationwide with an aim to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. Covering a range of topics throughout the lifespan, the conference will prioritize raising awareness for and encouraging participation in Down syndrome research.
We hope you will join us on Saturday, March 29 to promote acceptance and inclusion and celebrate the Down syndrome community. Registration set to open in early January!
Team MDSC runs the 129th Boston Marathon
Monday, April 21st |On April 21st, Team MDSC will take on the 26.2 trek from Hopkinton to Copley Square.
MDSC is a proud official charity of the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. Through this program, dozens of dedicated individuals have had the opportunity to fulfill their personal dream and run the Boston marathon in honor of people with Down syndrome.