Bowling Night! ages 20+

Friday, January 6th | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Town Line Luxury Lanes - 665 Broadway Malden, MA 02148

The Self Advocacy Advisory Council invites new and experienced bowlers, ages 20+, to join us at Town Line Luxury Lanes for an evening of bowling, pizza, socializing, and so much fun!

Free to Attend!
Bowling, shoe rental, pizza, & drinks included!

Ball ramps and gluten free pizza will be available.

This is a drop off event. Parents and caregivers are welcome to stay if preferred.

RSVP for Bowling Night!

Ice Skating at MarketStreet Lynnfield (for individuals with Ds of all ages, families & friends)

Sunday, January 8th | 9:00am - 11:00am
MarketSteet Lynnfield 600 Market St Lynnfield, MA 01940

Individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, families and friends are invited to join us for our second annual Ice Skating at MarketStreet Lynnfield Event!

Free to Attend!
Skates, snacks & drinks included!

During the event, snacks and drinks will be served in the warming tent for skaters who work up an appetite or for anyone who wants a break from the cold!

A limited number of staff and volunteers will be present to assist skaters and skate assists will also be available for beginners.

*Helmets will not be provided, but are highly recommended for all skaters!* (it could be a bike helmet, motorcycle helmet, equestrian helmet – anything to protect the noggin!)

Please note this is NOT a drop off event. Parents and/or caregivers are required to stay for the duration of this event.

Register for Ice Skating at MarketStreet Lynnfield!

JANUARY AIM MEETUP – Drums Alive & Winter Craft! ages 13-22, parents & caregivers

Monday, January 16th | 1:00pm - 3:30pm
West Suburban YMCA 276 Church St Newton, MA 02458

Teens and young adults ages 13-22 are invited to join us for an afternoon of movement and music with Drums Alive, followed by a winter craft!

See Registration for Cost
*scholarships always available

Drums Alive combines stability balls, drum sticks, and powerful and motivating music that will get feet stomping and bodies moving. This whole brain and body workout allows ALL individuals to participate without ever having picked up drum sticks before!

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 classroom at the YMCA. We are thrilled to welcome Carol Yelle, our new Parent & Caregiver Group Facilitator, to the team! Carol brings years of experience, as a mother of an extraordinary 18 year old daughter with Down syndrome. This month’s topic for discussion will be:

Safety at Home and in the Community, led by Patti MacPhee

Patti MacPhee is the owner of Take Care First Aid and teaches first aid and safety classes to individuals with disabilities. She is the mother of three including her adult daughter with Down syndrome.

Patti will share information, tips and resources to help your loved one stay safer at home and when they are out in their community. Topics to be discussed include how to respond in an emergency, a home safety survey, safety risks when in the community, and, products and ideas to reduce risks at home. We will also have time for Q&A.

AIM Meetups ARE drop off events. Parents and caregivers are not obligated to stay for the Parent & Caregiver Session.

Register for Teen & Adult Programming!

RSVP for January AIM Meetup!

Curriculum Modifications Made Easy!

Wednesday, January 18th | 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Educators use a variety of supports, strategies, and learning adaptations to teach diverse learners. An educational process known as modifying curriculum can give students with intellectual disabilities greater access to the general education classroom. During this session, Nicole Eredics, M.Ed. will provide an overview of the role of curriculum modifications, share strategies for modifying curriculum, and provide tips and resources. Participants will leave with the ability and know-how to easily make curriculum modifications.

Presenter: Nicole Eredics, M.Ed., Board Certified Inclusion Specialist

Nicole Eredics has been in the field of inclusive education for 29 years. She has her M.Ed. in Special Education and is a Board Certified Inclusion Specialist. Nicole spent the first half of her career as a full inclusion elementary teacher in a fully inclusive school system. She now uses her experience to speak, train, and consult on the topic of inclusive education to various school districts and community organizations across the country. Nicole is also the author of the professional resource book for educators called, Inclusion in Action: Practical Strategies to Modify Your Curriculum. For more information, go to www.nicoleeredics.com.

This webinar will be recorded.

Grandparents Zoom – Sharing & Connecting

Thursday, January 19th | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This is a virtual event.

Please register using the link below.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Central Mass DS Group @ Worcester Railers

Sunday, January 22nd | 3:05pm
DCU Center, Worcester

Tickets start at ONLY $16!

Use code “celebrate321” so that the Railers Foundation matches your ticket purchase and so we can all be seated in the same section.

 

South Shore Play Group (for families whose child is 0-15)

Saturday, January 28th | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
405 Washington St, Hanover, MA 02339

Join us for a fun family meet-up at Cardinal Cushing Gym (405 Washington St, Hanover, MA 02339).

Text Cara McDonough to RSVP at 617-460-0028 or email ssdsplaygroup@gmail.com

New Family Social with Music at the Blissful

Saturday, February 4th | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

This event is open to family members of little ones ages 0 – 4th birthday. These are an informal way to meet other families, learn about resources and connect. Light refreshments served.

Special for this date: Evan Haller from Music At The Blissful (https://www.musicattheblissful.com/) will be performing from 10:30am – 11:15am

WHERE:
Lower level conference room at 20 Burlington Mall Rd, Burlington, MA (our driveway is directly across from the Burlington Marriott driveway). Free parking.

Grandparents Zoom – Connecting with Beverly Beckham

Wednesday, February 8th | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This is a virtual event.

On Wednesday, February 8 from 12-1, MDSC Grandmother and Boston Globe columnist, Beverly Beckham will be back. Bev will share a few of the articles she has written about her granddaughter, Lucy, and we always enjoy the conversation with Beverly!

Please register using the link below.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Down Syndrome & Mental Health Support Group

Monday, March 13th | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Virtual

Does your teen or adult loved one with Down syndrome also have a mental health diagnosis such as Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder? Often these illnesses bring on a change in daily living skills, mood, or interest in activities once enjoyed. Seeing these changes and regression in your loved one can be very difficult.

Please note that individualized psychiatric treatment will not be provided at this meeting. This meeting is meant to serve as a venue for families with loved ones with Down syndrome and mental health concerns so that they may obtain mutual support with professional supervision.
Please email mentalhealth@mdsc.org to register or for more information.