Header   
 November 2012
in this issue
Prenatal Testing Pamphlet Available Online
Holiday Tips
Save the Date for NDSC Convention
Convention Workshop Recordings
More on the NDSC Website
And Another Thing or Two
Prenatal Testing Pamphlet Online!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Prenatal Pamphlet Image English

In partnership with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, NDSC is proud to announce the release of the Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing Pamphlet in both English and Spanish. You can read the press release here, and visit the Down Syndrome Test website here.  

 

This pamphlet was created over a six month period with input from medical professionals, researchers, Down syndrome experts and parents. Its intent is to be a consistent resource, eliminating confusion at a time when advice and guidance can vary among doctors and counselors.

 

NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson thanks the Global Down Syndrome Foundation for their hard work on this collaboration, and said, "We believe tens of thousands of women and families will benefit from having the current, accurate information presented in the pamphlet."  

Thanksgiving and the Upcoming Holiday Season
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   

Enlist some help from the self-advocate in your family this Thanksgiving. Cooking healthy foods is a life skill everyone needs. (And picture the swell of pride when they receive compliments on their dish!) So, think about those recipes that could be easily prepared with minimal support: green bean casserole, asparagus casserole, pie with canned pie filling...we bet there's something on your table that would be a good fit!

 

This is an ideal time to pick up a copy of Joan Medlen's book, "Cooking by Color" and use it throughout the holidays to teach cooking skills. Need some fresh ideas for those special diet restrictions over the holidays? There's a blog called "Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom" that could be a great resource for you throughout the year.  

 

And what about the stress of traveling? Why is it your child's worst behavior occurs when you want him to be at his best? Think about ways to head them off at the pass before unwanted behaviors occur. Make this the year you're ready with headphones when the noise gets overwhelming or with a favorite book when a little downtime is called for. Remind Grandma before dinner that even one small slice of pumpkin pie is off limits for your child, but that you brought a gluten-free alternative that she likes very much. 

 

For a few more ideas, download our Holiday Tips from last year's Communicator here.

Save the Dates for Your 2013 "Causecation" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Causecation Quilt 
Join us in Denver this summer, as we take our Convention a Mile High July 19-21, 2013!

 

Registration will open on March 1st. Visit our convention website (http://convention.ndsccenter.org/) often to view updates to our full schedule of activities, and secure your place at the Down syndrome community's Largest Annual Family Reunion.

 

Staying in Denver? The block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Denver opens March 1, 2013. Visit our Convention website for more information on booking a room in the Convention block.

Give the Gift of Convention Recordings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

One of our members remarked the other day that she thought she would finally have time to watch the recorded convention sessions when she has some down time during the holidays. What a great idea! You could give the gift of convention recordings, or put them on your wish list to receive them from someone else! With seventeen recorded sessions, we know there's something here for everyone. 

 

For just $35.00 for NDSC members, $70.00 for non-members, you'll have access to these recordings, as well as the printed handouts from each speaker, until June 1, 2013. It's an amazing opportunity to learn from the best, right in your own home.

Down Syndrome News and More on our Website

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DSN April 2012

The last issue of Down Syndrome News for 2012 will be in your mailboxes soon! In the  meantime, you can read our most recent printed issue on our website at this link. Be sure to take a look at this issue which included independent living tips, job development, convention stories and more!

 

In addition to complete PDF versions from the past two years of Down Syndrome News, and select archive articles from the past five years, we've now also archived many recent email newsletters. Take a look at this page to see our Communicator and Governmental Affairs Newsline from the past several months. You might have missed something in your inbox!

And Another Thing or Two...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. It's that toy buying time of year again. Download the "Toys R Us" Gift Guide for suggestions and ideas!

2. Check out this video about self advocate David Saville at Clemson University. Interested in learning more about the ClemsonLIFE program? The application deadline for fall 2013 is quickly approaching. Visit this website for more information. 

3. Take advantage of discounts from Woodbine House through December!

Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
phone: 800-232-6372/770-604-9500; email: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find us on Facebook     Follow us on Twitter
Join Our Mailing List
NDSC More Alike