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.
Aspiring employees with Down syndrome or other ID/DD are invited to participate in MDSC’s Your Next Star Career Exploration Academy, a three-day training for students ages 17-21 seeking to develop or sharpen their employment skills, boost their confidence, and strengthen interpersonal and “people” skills to enable them to interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, and clients.
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!
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.
Join 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!
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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
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!
Save 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!
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.
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!
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!
