featuring

DR. KATHLEEN WHITBREAD

 Blogger/Co-founder of 'Open Books Open Doors' 

and University of Saint Joseph Professor 

  

 

 

How did a professor, a photographer and a small group of graduate students change the perceptions and practices of literacy among children with Down syndrome? Find out at our 29th Annual Conference, where we welcome Dr. Kathleen Whitbread, a popular blogger. 

 

Dr. Whitbread is known to many as a co-founder of the Open Books Open Doors Project, where she maintains her blog. The program provides free literacy screenings for Connecticut children with Down syndrome in pre-school through grade 3 as well as resources for parents and teachers on best practices in literacy instruction for students with Down syndrome. 

 

But Dr. Whitbread also happens to be a well-published Associate Professor of Education at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Conn. Fore more than 25 years, she has provided training and technical assistance to school districts, families and community organizations. She specializes in evidence-based practices for students with significant disabilities, with specific expertise in literacy instruction for students with intellectual disabilities.  

 

At our conference, Dr. Whitbread will share with educators and parents the keys to improving literacy outcomes for students with Down syndrome through practical proven strategies. At the University of Saint Joseph, she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in special education. 

 

Dr. Whitbread maintains an active teaching license in special education and is certified at the associate level in Orton Gillingham reading methodology. Dr. Whitbread was previously an assistant professor of pediatrics and associate director of the University of Connecticut Center for Developmental Disabilities, where she directed a number of statewide projects focused on increasing access to general education for students with significant disabilities. 

REGISTER NOW

Early Bird Rates Expire Monday! 

 

FEATURING MORE THAN 2 DOZEN WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING:

  

Promoting Mental Wellness for Teens and Adults with Down syndrome

Brian Chicoine, Adult Down Syndrome Center of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Illinois

 

Responsibilities of Sexual Expression in Romantic Relationships

Terri Couwenhoven, AASECT certified Sex Educator, TC Services

(For Adults with Down syndrome who are 18 and over)

 

Think College

Nancy Hurley, Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts/Boston

 

Toilet Trouble: A Stepwise Approach to Potty Training

Kim Dunn, Developmental Medicine Center at Boston Children's Hospital

Developing Communication and Language Skills

 

Keeping Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome Healthy

Brian Skotko and Allie Schwartz, Co-Directors of Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program

 

Preparing Adults with Down Syndrome for a Healthy Future

Jose C. Florez, MGH Down Syndrome Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital

 

Down Syndrome and Complex Needs

Emily Jean Davidson, Director of Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children's Hospital

 

Educating Children with Down Syndrome: Applying Neuroscience to the Classroom

David Stein, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School

 

Understanding how Employment Impacts your Benefits and the True Benefits of Working at a Job You Love

Barbara Lee, UMass Medical School and Kate Bartlett, MDSC Self Advocate Advisory Council and Human Resource Department Employee

 

Los Hermanos de una Persona cons Sindrome de Down: ¿Ganan o pierden?

Jose Florez, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital

(En Espanol - Presentation in Spanish)

 

Universal Design for Learning

Peggy Coyne, Research Scientist, CAST

 

Communication Skills in the 21st Century: Speech, Language and Technology

Libby Kumin, Loyola University Maryland

 

The What, Why, and How of Positive Behavioral Interventions in the Classroom

Joseph N. Ricciardi, Seven Hills Clinical Associates 

Saturday, March 23, 2013  

DCU Center

Worcester, MA 

8:00am - 4:00pm

 STAY TUNED TO OUR REAL LIVES WEBPAGE AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES   

What does 

"REAL LIFE" WITH DOWN SYNDROME

look like? 

 

It looks like Billy Clemens of Danvers, who was the Best Man in his sister's wedding. According to his cousin, Billy spontaneously said "Ehem," and proceeded to "give the most amazing best man speech I have ever heard."

  

Send us your photos of you or your loved one with Down syndrome living their "Real Life." We will showcase the photos at our Real Lives conference and online. Send your photos to RealLives@mdsc.org or message us onFacebook. Include a sentence or two about the "Real Life" depicted in the image. Images must be minimum 100KB. Deadline March 11. 

 

We are also excited to announce that our "Coverize Me" Photo Booth is returning to our Annual Conference this year. This time, get yourself on the cover of "Real Life Magazine." 

Come to the conference equipped with your favorite accessories that epitomize your"Real Life". Ballet or Karate Outfit? Work Uniform? Graduation Cap? Chef's Hat? Cowboy Boots? Anything at all!

 

 


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

  

   


Can you help for just a few hours? 

If you are available to assist with a great cause, come volunteer at our Real Lives Conference on March 23 at the DCU Center in Worcester

 

Volunteers are needed at the conference for:

  • Set-up and stuff conference bags (Friday evening, March 22) 
  • Registration (Saturday, 7:15am - 9:00am)
  • Assist in the Young Adult Workshops (Saturday, 8:45am - 4:00pm)
  • Book Sales (Saturday 7:30am - 3:00pm)
  • Floater - Assist where help is needed

Complete and return our volunteer application