Prepare to be UnstoppABLE on Sunday, October 13 as we gather as a community for MDSC’s 2024 Buddy Walk, once again returning to the shores of Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield for the largest gathering of the Down syndrome community in New England and one of the largest in the country.
Register below so that you and your family can be a part of the warmth and determination of our community as we celebrate and raise awareness and funds for all our loved ones with Down syndrome. And, if you can’t join us in person, don’t fret…. you can instead Buddy Walk In Your Community anytime, anywhere throughout the month of October.
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!
The 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 Self-Care.
PLEASE pre-register so we can send a small self-care kit to you the week before the meeting and 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!
Did you know that people who have Down syndrome often get Alzheimer’s disease as they get older? And did you know that a potential treatment is being tested for people who have Down syndrome? To learn more, we warmly invite you to our special webinar, brought to you by the team from the ABATE Study, and presented by Nicolas M. Oreskovic, MD, MPH with the Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program.
*This webinar will be recorded if you cannot attend live
Teens and young adults are invited to throw on their Halloween costumes and join us at the Brookline Teen Center to BOOgie on down and learn how to do the classic dance from “Thriller!” in addition to some other classics like the Cha Cha Slide and Cotton Eye Joe! 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.
Register for November AIM only: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfgndxMIKqOw9…/viewform
Register for the remaining 4 AIM Meetups at a discounted rate of $60.00: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfd6hF1BqWbwW…/viewform
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
The Self-Advocacy Advisory Committee (SAAC) invites all self-advocates ages 20+ to the first social of the program year – Karaoke Night! Dress to represent your favorite genre of music or your favorite musician and join us for a night of singing, dancing and LOTS of fun!
Pizza, dessert, and drinks will be served. GF options will available.
*Please note this is a drop off event; however, parents and caregivers are welcome to stay if preferred.
The 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!
