Webinar: Learn About the ABATE Study – Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome

Monday, October 28th | 12:00 PM
Zoom

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

November AIM Meetup: Dance, Shake, & BOOgie! ages 13-22, parents & caregivers

Saturday, November 2nd | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Brookline Teen Center 40 Aspinwall Ave Brookline, MA 02446

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.

Register for the remaining 4 AIM Meetups at a discounted rate.

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

SAAC Social: Karaoke Night! ages 20+

Friday, November 15th | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Open Sky Community Services The Whitin Mill 60 Douglas Road Whitinsville, MA 01588

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.

Register Here

Special Health Care Needs and Behavioral Needs Support Group – Autism as co-occurring diagnosis & behavior concerns

Saturday, January 25th | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Zoom

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!

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.