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June Events

June












July



August



September


  • September 16 Back to School Skate Party


October


  • October 4 - Down Syndrome Awareness Month Celebration - Winter Park Community Center (6-9 pm)


November




Weekly Virtual Programs





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June 16,


From all of us at The FOUNDATION,


ο»ΏHappy Father's Day to all of our amazing dads! Thank you for all that you do. ο»Ώ

Don't want to miss our events and programs?

Like and follow our Social Media pages!

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In this issue:



  • iCan! Bike Camp
  • Mom's Night Out - Register TODAY!
  • Young Explorers (1st through 6th grade members - Lake Nona Adventure Park
  • Lucky Littles (birth to 8 years and expecting parents) - My Gym FUN!
  • Club 321 (Middle an High School members) and T21 (18+) Movie Night!
  • Parent Informational Meeting - Register TODAY!
  • Self-Advocacy Camp
  • Do You Have A Minute? - Zoom Series
  • iCan! Surf
  • Oral Motor Placement Evaluations
  • Neurodevelopmental Approach
  • iCan! Work
  • Virtual Social Clubs
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2024 iCan! Bike Camp - Register TODAY!

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Are you ready to empower your son/daughter to embark on an exciting journey towards joy, companionship, and independence?


Don't miss out on the opportunity to register for our life-changing 13th Annual iCan! Bike Camp!


At iCan! Bike Camp, we are dedicated to providing individuals with Down syndrome and those over the age of eight who have yet to master riding a two-wheel bicycle the chance to acquire this essential skill.



Click on the image below to register.

More about iCan! Bike Camp:


  • Remarkably, 80% of our participants successfully learned to ride a two-wheel bike during our intensive 5-day camp.


  • Learning to ride a bicycle offers a multitude of advantages, including strengthening cardiovascular muscles, increasing muscle mass, reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, fostering positive family dynamics, enabling independent transportation, and so much more!


Join us in fostering independence for our participants by assisting them in developing new abilities, boosting self-assurance, and opening doors to active engagement within their community.


Don't hesitate! Click on the image above to discover more information and secure your spot today.


Let's pedal towards a brighter, more confident future together!

Check out our 2023 iCan! Bike Camp recap below!

Mom's Night Out

Calling all moms! 

Come join us for a night of fun with some amazing women!


It's SUMMER! Beat the heat and enjoy dinner and a movie with the LUCKY FEW TRIBE on Tuesday, June 4th at 5:30 pm at the Winter Park Village. We will have dinner at Bar Louie and then go across the street to Regal Cinema to see the movie, Ezra. 


The FOUNDATION will cover your movie ticket. 


Ezra is about a divorced stand-up comedian Max Bernal who struggles to raise his autistic son, Ezra. Forced to confront difficult decisions about the boy's future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both of their lives. "Ezra" is inspired by writer Tony Spiridakis' own experience as a father of a child with autism


Check out the trailer for Ezra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq1r-QqLoF0

Check out the menu for Bar Louie here: https://www.barlouie.com/menu.


Click the image above to register.

Young Explorers

(1st through 6th grade members)

Hello, Young Adventurers! Prepare for an exciting journey at the Lake Nona Adventure Park. Be sure to bring your siblings along for double the fun!


Embark on a thrilling quest filled with laughter, challenges, and unforgettable memories. As you explore the wonders of Lake Nona Adventure Park, let your curiosity guide you and bond with your friends in a whole new way.


Get ready to unleash your inner explorer and make the most of this incredible journey with The FOUNDATION. Adventure awaits!


Click on the image above to register.

Lucky Littles

ο»Ώ(birth to 8 years and expecting parents)

It's time to get ready for a day filled with fun, games, and laughter at MyGym in Maitland!


Lucky Littles, bring your energy and enthusiasm as we gather together for our June meet-up. Whether you're a seasoned member or joining us for the first time, you're in for a treat.


Let's make new friends, enjoy exciting activities, and create unforgettable memories. Get set for a day of pure joy and excitement at MyGym – we can't wait to see you there!


Click on the image above to register.

Club 321 (Middle and High School members) and T21 (18+)

Club 321 and T21 Members, let's get together for an entertaining evening!


Come join us for an evening with friends as we watch the premiere of "Inside Out 2". The event will kick off with dinner followed by the movie screening.


Let's make this night unforgettable with laughter, fun, and great company! Mingle with fellow Club 321 and T21 Members, and immerse yourselves in the captivating world of "Inside Out 2". This movie premiere promises to be a feast for the senses, filled with heartwarming moments and exciting twists. So, mark your calendars and get ready for a memorable evening that will surely leave you smiling inside and out!


Click on the image below to register.

Parent Informational Meeting

Explore ways that any environment can foster efficient learning and skills building at all ages and stages.


Join us for dinner and more on how to encourage continued learning with our loved ones. Meet (local) mom, author and national speaker, LaTaasha Byrd!


LaTaasha will share how using simple applications in daily settings will enable you to reinforce learning in ways that are interesting and appealing to your loved one. Discover how to use objects in your home and natural environment to create spaces that work for both the student and the teacher, even if the lessons are being taught at the grocery store!


Come learn how to create a classroom from any space while helping your loved one reach their greatest potential! This presentation is for all ages!


Click on the image above to register.

(Childcare is available. RSVP required.)

Self-Advocacy Camps (Part 2)

REGISTER NOW!


Click on the images below for more information and to register.

Important information: Attendance is encouraged for those interested in participating in The FOUNDATION's iCan! Work Program. Registration with VR is a prerequisite, and attendance on all five days is compulsory. If you need assistance registering with VR, contact Caroline.

Do You Have A Minute?

In April, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the highest level of funding for direct services for people with unique abilities in Florida’s history with more than $2.2 billion allocated for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) through the iBudget waiver. This waiver provides social, medical, behavioral, and therapeutic services to individuals with Down syndrome and other unique abilities. 


During this month's zoom series, we will be delving into the topic of Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Following the presentation, there will be an extended question-and-answer session. Mr. Reed Stephan will provide detailed information on recent significant legislative changes critical to the Down syndrome community, as well as the processes necessary for successful interaction with APD and Florida Medicaid Long Term Care programs. 


We will have plenty of time for general discussion. Mr. Stephan will share valuable new information that will greatly benefit participants. Mark your calendars and get ready to learn about navigating the world of APD to help your son/daughter receive services.


Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with us!

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Click on the image above to register.

LEAPAbility Workshops

The Learning Enrichment Academic Program (LEAP) is parent-child-driven. We desire to assist parents and children in different (academic and developmental) areas of learning. We focus on fun group activities that support academics, social interaction, and therapy needs.

The goal of this program is to utilize successful techniques that are offered to us by the Down Syndrome FOUNDATION of Florida and create sessions that take our children from one level to the next to reach their individual academic and developmental goals. LEAP is for kindergarten through fifth grade (elementary-aged children). We will be moving up together by LEAPs and bounds with encouragement and confidence! Parents are involved in this program by supporting and/or coaching the children, as well as being coached by teachers, tutors, and therapists to support student learning to LEAP to the next level! 321 LEAP!!

Space is limited. Learn more about LEAP, how it works and how we can provide support to plan LEAP in your local area. Please email jdoreen8@gmail.com if you’re interested in being a part of LEAP!

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iCan! Surf

Get ready to ride the waves with iCan! Surf, making a grand comeback with a splash! Our new surfing season is here, welcoming all ages, from newbies to pros. No experience is needed - just bring your enthusiasm and a swimsuit!


Click on the image below to register.

Oral Motor Placement Evaluations

 Renee, Whitney, and Jill will be back in Orlando August 23-25!

Please register now if you'd like your son/daughter to have an evaluation.


Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) uses a hierarchical-based approach to improve speech clarity and feeding skills in individuals of all ages and across diagnoses. These innovative techniques focus on motor movement activities used to improve phonation, resonation, and speech clarity. Combined with a tactile-sensory approach, OPT provides a comprehensive solution to a variety of speech and feeding issues. OPT involves the use of therapy tools to train and transition muscle movements for speech production. Our techniques, applied in combination with the tools, make a difference in clients' lives.


Click here for more information.


To learn more about Oral Placement Therapy please visit: https://talktools.com/pages/parent-video-library


Parents are required to view the second video on the page - "Parents' Guide to Talk Tools" to be eligible for an Oral Motor Therapy Scholarship.

Neurodevelopmental Approach

with Kay Ness

Kay Ness will return to Orlando July 8 - July 12.


For over six decades, the neurodevelopmental approach has been a beacon of hope for parents navigating the complexities of learning, mobility, speech, language, processing, and attention challenges in their children.


Through the transformative and individualized programs pioneered by Kay Ness, this approach has empowered children with diverse learning abilities to excel in academics, overcome sensory issues, modify behavior, and make remarkable progress. By delving into the underlying causes of learning and developmental hurdles, practitioners of this approach not only equip parents with the tools to support their children at home but also propel academic growth, enabling these children to bridge the gap and achieve milestones once deemed unattainable.


ο»ΏJoin the countless families who have found success and renewed optimism through the neurodevelopmental approach, and witness your loved ones soar to new heights of accomplishment.


Contact Kay at kyness@mindspring.com

 to schedule an evaluation.

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*Neurodevelopmental scholarship available*

Click here for more information. 

iCan! Work

The FOUNDATION is dedicated to nurturing a culture centered around learning and growth! Join our iCan! Work initiative, carefully crafted to equip your son/daughter with the necessary tools and resources for both personal and professional development. Gain access to success coaches, as well as engaging training and development sessions aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge.

Click here to apply
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Virtual Social Groups

All ages are welcome!


Virtual Zumba with Elyse


When: Every Tuesday

Time: 4 pm-5 pm

Zoom Information Will Be Posted to Our Private Facebook Page

Elyse Mundelein will be teaching a virtual Zumba class! No experience needed, just get ready to dance and have fun!


Upcoming dates:


  • Tuesday, June 4
  • Tuesday, June 11
  • Tuesday, June 18
  • Tuesday, June 25

Middle and high school aged members

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Virtual Club 321


When: Every Wednesday

Time: 4 pm-5 pm

Zoom Information Will Be Posted to Our Private Facebook Page

This is a great opportunity to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!


Upcoming dates:


  • Wednesday June 5 - What is personal Hygiene
  • Wednesday, June 12 - What is sleep hygiene?
  • Wednesday, June 19 - What is bad hygiene?
  • Wednesday, July 26 - How to create good hygiene habits 

Young adults 18+

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T21 Social Network (18+)


When: Every Thursday

Time: 4 pm-5 pm

Zoom Information Will Be Posted to Our Private Facebook Page

This is a great opportunity for our adult group to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!


Upcoming dates:


  • Thursday, June 6 - How to create good hygiene habits
  • Thursday, June 13 - What is bad hygiene?
  • Thursday, June 20 - What is sleep hygiene?
  • Thursday, June 27 - Hygiene review 
Don't miss an event!
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You can also visit our website www.DSFFlorida.org
Looking forward to seeing YOU!
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For more information about our online programming:
follow our private Facebook page, Meetup, or email
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Thank you to our sponsors

ο»Ώfor making all of these events possible!

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Let's get social!

Follow us on social media for more information and to stay up-to-date on our upcoming events.

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Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida www.dsfflorida.org
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