Down Syndrome-Autism Connection Monthly Chat (age 18+)
Wednesday, February 26th | 8:00 p.m.The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection, an affiliate of MDSC, invites all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, to join them for their regular Zoom chat the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm.
Now, to be able to serve families best, the DSAC is breaking out these monthly chats by age group — Up to 10, 11-17, and Over 18. With monthly meeting cycling through these three age groups, each cohort will now meet quarterly, from September to May. Mark your calendars!
12th Annual MDSC Support Group Leader Retreat
Friday, February 28th |MDSC fosters collaboration among our Support Group Leaders by hosting quarterly Zoom calls, and, since 2014, bringing them together annually for a two-day Support Group Leader Retreat. In 2025, about two dozen leaders will gather for MDSC’s 12th Annual Support Group Leader Retreat, where we will announce our Support Group Leader of the Year Award and continue the work of strategizing how to advance mutual goals of strengthening supports for our families and their loved ones with Down syndrome.
This event is by invite only. For more information, email Sarah Cullen at scullen@mdsc.org.
Sign Language Workshop – Co-Hosted by MDSC & Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program
Saturday, March 8th | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMJoin us for a baby sign language workshop for newer parents! This workshop will provide an introduction to using American Sign Language vocabulary in order to facilitate communication with your little one. You’ll learn when and how to start, what signs to start with, and strategies for incorporating sign language into your daily routine. We’ll have fun learning how to add signs to songs you and your baby already know and love to sing! This workshop is geared for parents of infants and toddlers.
This is an interactive workshop, so it would be great if you have your child with you, but if he/she is napping no worries…join us anyway for lots of fun learning!
Lane Rebelo, LCSW, is the author of including Baby Sign Language Made Easy, The Complete Guide to Baby Sign Language, My First Book of Baby Signs, and Baby Sign Language Songs and Games. She is the founder of Tiny Signs®, an award-winning baby sign language program. As a licensed social worker, Lane worked for many years with families in the Boston area. Lane began studying American Sign Language in 2006 after her first baby was born and was amazed by all she had to say. She lives with her husband and two children in MetroWest Boston.
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Any questions, please reach out to Sarah Cullen (scullen@mdsc.org) or Angela Lombardo (ANGELA.LOMBARDO@childrens.harvard.edu)
This is a wonderful workshop – we hope to see you!
—————————————————————
Taller de Lenguage de Señas
Pequenas señales, grandes conneciones
Sábado, Marzo 8, 2025 de 10 – 11 por Zoom
Unete a nosotros en el taller para lenguaje de senas para nuevas familias! Este taller ofrecerá una introducción al vocabulario de Lenguage Americano de Senas para facilitar la comunicación con su pequenito. Aprendera cuando y como comenzar, con que señales comenzar, estrategias para incorporar el lenguage de señas en su rutina diaria. Nos divertiremos adicionando señas en canciones que su bebe ya conoce y sabe cantar. Este taller esta dirigido a infantes y pequeñitos.
Es un taller interactivo, así que si puede traer a su hijito/a seria muy bueno, pero si está tomando su siesta no se preocupe…igual únete mientras aprendemos amenamente!
Lane Rebelo, LCSW, es autora de Baby Sign Language Made Easy, The Complete Guide to Baby Sign Language, My First Book of Baby Signs, and Baby Sign Language Songs and Games. Ella es fundadora de Tiny Signs®, un programa de baby sign language que recibió premios y reocnocimientos. Como asistente social certificada, Lane ha trabajado por muchos años en el área de Boston. Lane empezó a estudiar American Sign Language en 2006 despues de que nació su primogenitor y estaba asombrada con todo lo que hablaba. Junto a sus 2 hijos y esposo vive en MetroWest Boston.
Para registrarse comunicarse con: Tatiana Salinas: tsalinas@mdsc.org
Whatsapp: 347-836-0900
Down Syndrome-Autism Connection Monthly Chat (up to age 10)
Wednesday, March 26th | 8:00 p.m.The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection, an affiliate of MDSC, invites all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, to join them for their regular Zoom chat the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm.
Now, to be able to serve families best, the DSAC is breaking out these monthly chats by age group — Up to 10, 11-17, and Over 18. With monthly meeting cycling through these three age groups, each cohort will now meet quarterly, from September to May. Mark your calendars!
41st Annual ‘On Our Way’ Conference
Saturday, March 29th | 9am - 430pmWe are thrilled to celebrate MDSC’s 41st Annual Conference on March 29, 2025!
With participants coming from across New England and beyond, we are excited to bring together over 500 individuals — our incredible self-advocates with Down syndrome, as well as parents and caretakers, grandparents and siblings, health care professionals, educators and others — to hear the latest research findings and timely information from regional and national experts on the full range of topics as it relates to Down syndrome.
We are proud to announce MDSC’s theme for 2025 — ON MY WAY!
After 40-plus years of steadfast advocacy and innovative programs, the MDSC is well ON OUR WAY to building a brighter future for ALL our loved ones with Down syndrome.
We envision a present and a future in which all our loved ones with Down syndrome can confidently say “I am ON MY WAY” to a full, rich life in their community, with access to high quality education, medical services, research and employment opportunities.
And at MDSC, we will be fighting to ensure we’re ON OUR WAY to making the world a better, more inclusive place for our loved ones with Down syndrome — providing critical programs and services and raising awareness and expectations in our neighborhoods, hospitals, schools and society at large.
Join us March 29 as we bring our On My Way theme to life even beyond the presentations, by connecting with old and new friends, sharing our individual and collective journeys, and taking stock of all the countless victories — small and large — that exemplify our community’s resilience for more than four decades.
The 41st Annual Conference represents yet another milestone for the MDSC community, and we hope to see you there!
Early bird rates end March 1, 2025.
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.
Down Syndrome-Autism Connection Monthly Chat (ages 11-17)
Wednesday, April 30th | 8:00 p.m.The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection, an affiliate of MDSC, invites all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, to join them for their regular Zoom chat the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm.
Now, to be able to serve families best, the DSAC is breaking out these monthly chats by age group — Up to 10, 11-17, and Over 18. With monthly meeting cycling through these three age groups, each cohort will now meet quarterly, from September to May. Mark your calendars!
Down Syndrome-Autism Connection Monthly Chat (age 18+)
Wednesday, May 28th | 8:00 p.m.The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection, an affiliate of MDSC, invites all families affected by Down syndrome and autism, including families who recently got an autism diagnosis, to join them for their regular Zoom chat the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm.
Now, to be able to serve families best, the DSAC is breaking out these monthly chats by age group — Up to 10, 11-17, and Over 18. With monthly meeting cycling through these three age groups, each cohort will now meet quarterly, from September to May. Mark your calendars!