Help your child's school become an inclusive community!
Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

As you know, we at the MDSC are committed to helping schools develop inclusive communities so that our loved ones can have every opportunity to learn alongside their peers. 

Creating inclusive climates in schools can be intimidating not only for parents but for schools as well. That's why we've designed this year's 11th Annual Educators Forum (for Supporting Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) to provide teachers and administrators with practical workshops to help them make a difference. 

To that end, we've developed targeted templates for you to invite your child's teachers and/or school administrators to our Educators Forum, the theme of which is, "We Are All in This Together - Collaborating to Create Inclusive Schools". 
Whoever attends from your child's school, we want them to come away from the conference with concrete ideas and a plan for implementation. Then, as they work hard to meet the educational needs of students, they will have the tools to make a difference for your child! 

Check out the lineup of workshops below being offered and register by Oct. 31 to get the Early Bird Registration Rate. 


Best,
 
Mo Blazejewski
MDSC Education Director

P.S. - For those families and self-advocates who have aged out of school, we have our new Adult Conference in collaboration with MGH on October 24. Registration for that conference closes tonight at midnight (Self Advocate registration is already full). 
BE INSPIRED  
SELF ADVOCATE KEYNOTE ADDRESS
True Friends Don't Count Chromosomes - A Story of Friendship and Inclusion - Co-presented by: Jordan Caira, Laura Green, Eliza Meltzer, Sarah Rosenthal - Framingham High School Class of 2015
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Friendship - The Final Frontier of Inclusive Education Presented by Zachary Rossetti, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Special Education, Boston University
Problem Solve Common Issues  
Optimal Paraprofessional Support- Multiple Perspective Taking Makes it Work!
Teachers Are From Mars, Parents Are From Venus -A Crash Course in Strengthening the Relationship Between Home and School
But it's Only a 6 Hour Day!  Problem Solving Communication Challenges Around Collaboration for Effective Unit Planning
Anxiety Reducing Strategies and Skill Building Interventions Decrease Challenging Behavior

 
Develop Instructional Best Practices  
Inclusive Writing Practices that Benefit Students With Intellectual Disabilities and their Classmates
There IS Room on the Broom - Using Children's Literature and Guided Classroom Discussion to Teach About Individual Differences
Inclusive Reading Practices that Benefit Students With Intellectual Disabilities and their Classmates
Make and Take Museum - Create Visual Supports to Use Tomorrow

 
Get Information 
I'm in to Engage, Empower and Impact - Building Inclusive Communities with Best Buddies Massachusetts
Person-Centered Transition Planning

 
Families of Children 3-5 - Learning Program's Early Education Workshop Series
Learning Program Boston & Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress are pleased to offer a 6-part series of Down Syndrome Early Education Workshops that will be hands-on, interactive and build upon each other in succession.

This is for parents and caregivers of children with Down syndrome between the ages of 3-5 who are just beginning to show an interest in letters and numbers

Workshop dates are:
  • Wed, Nov. 4- Understanding the Cognitive Profile & Expanding Vocabulary
  • Wed, Dec. 2 - Teaching Whole Words
  • Wed, Jan. 6 - Effective Learning Sessions
  • Wed, Feb 3 - Working with Your IEP Team
  • Wed, Mar 2 - Colors & Shapes
  • Wed, Apr 6 - Pre-Number Concepts
Inclement weather make-up date: Wed, May 4th

All workshops are 6:30pm - 8:00pm at MDSC office conference room at 20 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA

 
Families of Teens & Young Adults - Workshop Series and Conference on Transition
FULL LIFE AHEAD SERIES

Once again, the MDSC is proud to partner with Mass Families Organizing for Change in co-hosting their workshop series designed to meet the unique needs of families of individuals who are transitioning into adulthood. 

This informative workshop series highlights topics that provides families with information related to transition, employment, housing, friendships and other topics that will lead to interdependent, full lives in the community for young adults with disabilities. 

The first topic of the 2015-2016 series will take place October 21, 2015 at the MDSC office in Burlington.  

The workshop is titled: Massachusetts Autism Omnibus Law. See the flyer here for click below for more information. 

 
Learn More About Social Security Disabilities Programs 
Kennedy Day School at Franciscan Children's Hospital is hosting a workshop presented by: Kristen Alberino, Metropolitan Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration      

Thursday October 22, 2015
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Franciscan Hospital for Children
Brighton

This presentation will discuss:
  • Disability benefits and services
  • How to qualify for benefits
  • How and when to apply
  • Online services and planning tools