Join us for the Statewide Learning Conference and Self-Advocate Retreat

The Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota is proud to present the 2022 Statewide Learning Conference and Self-Advocate Retreat on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24th at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth, Minnesota.

This Statewide Learning Conference is for parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome.

The Self-Advocate Retreat, which runs in conjunction with the conference, is for teens and adults with Down syndrome. You must be a high school freshman or older to attend the retreat.

In addition, we are thrilled to offer a Kids Camp made possible through a partnership with DSAMn and Joshin. Kids Camp is for all children ages 2 through 14.
Saturday Statewide Learning Conference Schedule
  • 10:30am, Registration Opens

  • 11:30am – 12:30pm, Opening Lunch and Keynote with Kennith Allen Thomas, Author, Speaker and T21/Childhood Cancer Advocate

  • 12:40pm - 1:40pm, Breakout Sessions
  • IEP Primer - Knowing Your Rights and Using Your Voice with Carla Kegal, Advocacy Advantages
  • Speech Therapy Ideas for Teens and Adults with Rheanne Lewis, SLP, Sol Therapy
  • *Improving Self-Determination, Improving Quality of Life - Insights From New Research with Mary Lindell, PHD, Associate Professor, Special Education, Bethel University
  • *Accessing County Services - Birth through Teen Years with Ashley Olthoff & Lauren Kaplan, DSAMn Family Connector Program
  • Meeting the Financial Challenge, An overview of Financial Tools including Supplemental Needs Trusts, Life Insurance, ABLE Accounts, and common planning mistakes with Emmy Mastel, CFP, CMFC
  • Ds-ASD Meet-Up with Charlotte Gray, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Autism Connection

  • 1:50pm – 2:50pm, Breakout Sessions
  • *Alzheimer's and Dementia - New Research and Developments with Jennifer Zimmer, MD, Senior Medical Advisor, Alzheimer's Disease Team, Eli Lilly and Company
  • Ensuring Quality of Life When Parents Are No Longer Able with Dave Reedstrom, Disability Planning Specialists, and Joe Kukla, Thiel, Anderson and Kukla PLLP
  • Birth to Three Medical Deep Dive - A Conversation with Kishore Vellody, MD, Medical Director, Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
  • Higher Education Deep Dive - A Conversation with Liz Platcha, Founder, Ruby's Rainbow
  • *Accessing County Services - Transition Through Adulthood with Ashley Olthoff & Lauren Kaplan, DSAMn Family Connector Program
  • Sibling Relationships - A Conversation for Parents with Brian Donovan, Sibling and DSAMn Sibling Group Facilitator

  • 2:50pm - 3:20pm, Snack & Exhibitor Break

  • 3:20pm – 4:20pm
  • *Featured Breakout for Parents of Babies, Toddlers, and School Aged Children - Medical Update, What's New with Kishore Vellody, MD, Medical Director, Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
  • *Featured Breakout For Parents of Teens and Adults - Post-Secondary Education Options and Landscape with Liz Platcha, Founder, Ruby's Rainbow
  • Grandparent Meet-Up
  • Sibling Meet-Up

  • 4:30pm – 5:30pm Afternoon Keynote - What's Happening Nationally featuring Kandi Pickard, CEO of NDSS and Jordan Kough, Executive Director of NDSC

  • 5:30pm – 7:00pm Family Pizza Party & DJ

Sunday Statewide Learning Conference Schedule
  • 9:00am – 10:00am Opening Keynote - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Building School Communities That Work for All Students with Kareem Neal, AZ 2019 Teacher of The Year

  • 10:10am – 11:10am
  • *The Down Syndrome - Autism Connection with with Charlotte Gray & Jeanne Doherty of Down Syndrome Autism Connection
  • State & Federal Public Policy Update with Kandi Pickard, CEO, NDSS and Sarah Curfman, CEO, DSAMn
  • *Supporting Health Relationships: A Parent Primer with Terri Couwenhouven, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator
  • Guidelines for Inclusive Education with Jessica Kuss, Senior Manager of Education Programs, NDSS
  • Behavior Interventions for Teens & Adults with Christine Hendrickson, MHP; Owner of On Track MN

  • 11:20am – 12:20pm
  • *Bodies, Boundaries, and Behavior: A Puberty Primer for Parents with Terri Couwenhouven, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator
  • *Alternative & Augmentative Communication with Katie Michalski, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist with Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
  • Caregiver Mental Health with Delia Samuels, Co-Founder of the Multicultural Autism Action Network and Author of Against The Odds, a book about parenting her two sons with special needs
  • Transition and Employment with Ryan Rotundo, Manager of Employment Programs, NDSS


  • 12:30am – 2:00pm, Closing Keynote and Luncheon - How I Know Including People With Down Syndrome Is A Good thing with Matthew Schwab, TED Talk Speaker & Self-Advocate

*Recorded for DSAMn Digital Pass (see below)
Self-Advocate Retreat Schedule
The Self-Advocate Retreat is a two-day workshop focused on helping attendees identify their strengths; develop their future goals and dreams; and learn about developing healthy relationships at work, with friends, and with significant others. We have an incredible line up of facilitators and speakers. Throughout the two-day retreat participants will create vision boards; learn from experts; and model the learning using improv, performing arts, and other interactive exercises.

Saturday Schedule
  • 10:30am, Registration Opens

  • 11:30am – 12:15pm, Opening Lunch and Welcome with Brian Donovan

  • 12:30pm - 4:30pm, Workshops featuring
  • Rheanne Lewis, Speech Language Pathologist
  • Kareem Neal, High School and Transition Teacher
  • Brian Donovan, Actor, Producer
  • Terri Couwenhouven
  • Christine Hendrickson, Mental Health Professional and Behavior Therapist
  • Lizz Windnagel, Teaching Artist, Director

  • 4:30pm – 5:30pm Self-Advocate Dance

  • 5:30pm – 7:00pm Family Pizza Party & DJ

Sunday Schedule
  • 9:00am – 12:00pm, Workshops featuring:
  • Kareem Neal, High School and Transition Teacher
  • Brian Donovan, Actor, Producer
  • Christine Hendrickson, Mental Health Professional and Behavior Therapist
  • Lizz Windnagel, Teaching Artist, Director

  • 12:30am – 2:00pm, Closing Keynote and Luncheon - How I Know Including People With Down Syndrome Is A Good thing with Matthew Schwab, TED Talk Speaker & Self-Advocate
Featured Speakers

Terri Couwenhoven, MS, CSE  
Terri is a well-known certified sex educator and author, specializing in the design and implementation of sexuality programs and resources for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their parents, and the professionals who support them. Her gentle, matter-of-fact approach combined with extensive knowledge and experience make her a popular speaker with self-advocates, parents, and professionals around the country.

Brian Donovan
Brian Donovan has been a professional actor for more than 30 years in film, television and radio. In addition, he is the executive director of the Los Angeles Repertory Theater. In 2015, he produced "Kelly's Hollywood" a documentary chronicling the intimate story of the love and relationship between him and his sister, Kelly, who was born with Down syndrome.

Charlotte Gray
Charlotte is the executive director of the Down Syndrome-Autism Connection. She presents workshops on DS-ASD for audiences which include the NDSC, MDSC and DSAIA conferences. Charlotte has her Master’s in Business Administration and lives in the Boston area with her husband Bill and their son Jacob, who has DS-ASD.

Jordan Kough
Jordan Kough was recently named executive director of the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). He has worked in the nonprofit sector his entire career and most recently as executive director of the Disability Rights Legal Center.

Kareem Neal
Kareem is the 2019 Arizona Education Foundation's Teacher of the Year. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering and an M.A. in special education, and has extensive training in applied behavior analysis and sensory integration techniques. He has developed the curriculum that the district uses for every subject in the self-contained special education classes.

Kandi Picard
Kandi is the President & CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) where she provides vision and leadership, working collaboratively with individuals and organizations to support the entire Down syndrome community. Kandi’s involvement in the Down syndrome community first began as a local volunteer and advocate after her youngest son, Mason was born with Down syndrome.

Liz Plachta
Liz is the founder and executive director of Ruby’s Rainbow, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to adults with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education opportunities. Liz’s drive to start Ruby’s Rainbow came from her passion to help families like hers with educational costs and support, while also raising society's standards and expectations of individuals with Down syndrome. 

Dr. Delia Samuel 
Dr. Samuel is an author and community leader. She recently published a book entitled “Against the Odds: Inspiration for parenting children with special needs”. In addition, Dr. Samuel is the Vice-Chairperson and one of the founders of the Multicultural Autism Action Network (MAAN) – a non-profit organization created for parents of autistic individuals and their families in multicultural communities. She has two beautiful sons who continue to be her greatest teachers, both sons have autism and her youngest also has Trisomy 14 Mosaicism.

Matthew Schwab
Matthew graduated Holly Springs High School in North Carolina in June 2017 and completed Project Search, an internship-based educational program, at Wake Technical Community College in 2019. He is passionate about raising awareness about Down syndrome and intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is a TED Talk speaker on the topic and serves as a volunteer for 321 Coffee and his local GiGi's Playhouse.

​Kennith Allen Thomas
Kennith is an author, speaker, and leadership development coach. He gained fame as a Down syndrome and cancer awareness advocate when his son, Kristian (who has Down syndrome), was diagnosed with AMKL-leukemia. Kennith now hosts seminars and workshops while also speaking for organizations, increasing their team mindset for better success personally and professionally.

Dr. Kishore Vellody
Dr. Vellody is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; a pediatric hospitalist within the Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine; and the Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania. He is the Immediate Past President the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and is Co-chair of the Professional Advisory Council

Dr. Jennifer Zimmer
Dr. Zimmer graduated from Indiana University with a doctorate in medicine, residency in Child Neurology, and fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology. She is boarded in Neurology with special certification in Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology. She has been with Lilly for 8 years, and currently works in Clinical Development in Neurodegenerative Diseases including Alzheimer's and dementia.
Conference Fees

Statewide Conference (Family Dance & Pizza Party ticketed separately, see below)
  • $125 for full conference
  • $90 for Saturday only
  • $75 for Sunday only

Self-Advocate Retreat:  (Family Dance & Pizza Party ticketed separately, see below)
  • $85 for full conference
  • $65 for Saturday only
  • $50 for Sunday only
The self-advocate retreat is open to individuals with Down syndrome 9th grade and older.

Kids Camp: 
  • $45 for full conference
  • $30 for Saturday only
  • $30 for Sunday only
Kids Camp is open to all children ages 2 and up.
Saturday Night Family Pizza Party & Dance

Hotel Information
Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West | 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth MN 55441
DSAMn Digital Pass - Virtual Option
Not comfortable or cannot attend in person? DSAMn will record selected breakout sessions (marked with an asterisk above) and offer access to those recordings May 1 - May 30. The Digital Pass will go on sale May 1 for $50. All in-person conference attendees will receive access to the digital pass free on May 1.
DSAMn Sliding Fee Policy

The Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota is dedicated to our promise to provide high quality, affordable programming and services for ALL individuals and families with Down syndrome regardless of income. Most programs are free or highly subsidized for all. Our new sliding-fee program provides additional assistance by providing a standard reduction for those programs that do have fees.

The scale is based on published Federal Poverty Guidelines and is as follows:
  • Individuals/Families at/below Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a full scholarship.
  • Individuals/Families at/below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a 50% discount.
  • Individuals/Families at/below 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a 25% discount

To apply for scholarship or sliding fee, please email a short statement including the following information to dsamn@dsamn.org
  • Household size and names
  • Total annual salaries and wages (should include self, spouse, and all other family members included in household)
  • Total other income (should include social security for self, spouse, children; supplemental security income; child support or alimony; military/veterans benefits; other retirement benefits; unemployment benefits; other.)

Documentation is not required but may be requested if verification is necessary.

Fees should not be a barrier to programming for any family. If you do not qualify for the sliding fee scale, but still need assistance to access programming we will work with you. Please email sarah@dsamn.org for more information.