UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT-A-GLANCE |
|
MEET & GREET FOOD TRUCK FEAST
August 26
All ages
|
|
EDUCATION CONFERENCE
August 27
Sessions for early childhood-adult and self-advocates
|
|
DUAL DIAGNOSIS CONNECTION
September 10
All Ages
|
|
SEPTEMBER SUPPER CLUB WITH HEROES UNITED FC
September 23
Self-advocates ages 18+
|
|
21ST ANNUAL
DALLAS BUDDY WALK®
October 23
Registration now open
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
SELF-ADVOCATE GALA
December 2
Self-advocates ages 18+
|
|
BE FEATURED ON OUR SOCIALS |
|
WHY I WALK WEDNESDAY
YOUR BUDDY WALK® TEAM FEATURED
|
|
The Down Syndrome Guild wants to feature your Buddy Walk® team as part of our upcoming #WhyIWalkWednesday on our social media platforms. All you have to do is complete the quick questionnaire telling us about your loved one with Down syndrome, how many years you have had a Buddy Walk® team, why you participate in the Buddy Walk® , and your favorite thing about the event. Don't forget to upload a team or individual photo and then follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see and share your post. Have questions? Contact Hannah Fredette.
|
|
|
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 | EDUCATION CONFERENCE
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
|
|
|
|
The Down Syndrome Guild is hosting our annual Education Conference on August 27, 2022, and we need the help of volunteers to ensure things go smoothly. The conference will be at Hilton Richardson Dallas, and we have several different time slots available. If you’re available for a few hours on Saturday, August 27, please contact Hannah Fredette. Hannah will provide you with more information and would love to have you join us!
|
|
NEW WEBSITE FEATURE & BACK TO SCHOOL RESOURCE |
|
The DSG has added a new blog feature to our website as a resource for self-advocates, parents, and the community. The blog will include posts on a variety of different topics and will often highlight key resources that we think are important for you and your family. We invite you to view our first blog post titled All About Me that contains tips and resources to help ease that back-to-school transition for students, parents, and educators.
Read our full All About Me blog post HERE to learn more about how an All About Me/Get to Know Me sheet is a valuable tool for your child's educational team. The post also includes FREE templates where you can simply enter your child's info and picture hopefully making your back-to-school transition a little smoother this school year.
We wish all our families and educators a big Back-to-School welcome, and we hope this is your best year yet! Of course, if you have any questions or need resources this school year, please do not hesitate to contact us. The DSG has a variety of resources and connections to local and national experts to help ensure your student gets the quality education he/she deserves. Our annual Education Conference on August 27 is another great resource for families and educators to learn more about people with Down syndrome and related educational topics. You can also view some past seminars hosted by the DSG HERE.
Have a blog post idea or topic you would like covered? Please contact Hannah Fredette.
|
|
|
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 11 AM-3 PM | TOYOTA STADIUM
DALLAS BUDDY WALK®
|
|
Registration and giving is NOW OPEN for the 2022 Buddy Walk® presented by Monkey Mouths Pediatric Therapy. We invite you to celebrate 21 years of the Dallas Buddy Walk® with us on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco starting at 11 am. Activities will include tailgating, music, games, face painting, inflatables, balloon artists, and so much more for the entire family to enjoy. The event also features an awareness walk around the stadium at 2 pm. Participants are encouraged to form teams, recruit friends and family, and help us raise funds that support DSG programs year round. Proceeds directly benefit the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas and help fund over 1/2 of our annual operating budget.
Registration is $3 for ages 0-12, $21 for ages 13+, and always free for individuals with Down syndrome. Registration includes access to all on-site activities, awareness walk, and a commemorative event t-shirt. T-shirts and sizes are guaranteed for those registering on or before October 1. After that, shirts will be subject to availability on a first come, first served basis.
Don't wait! Register today for the largest celebration of people with Down syndrome in North Texas and guarantee your t-shirt. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Our new registration and giving site is so easy to use, but please don't hesitate to Email Us with any questions.
|
|
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 | 8 AM-5 PM | $50 PER PERSON
ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
|
|
Conference Overview:
The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas (DSG) and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) have collaborated to bring you a joint conference that will touch on topics for caregivers who have loved ones in early childhood, school age, young adults in their 20s and 30s, in addition to self-advocate sessions throughout the day.
|
|
Conference Schedule and Tracks:
Each conference track includes the opening plenary session featuring Austin & Jan Underwood from Austin's Underdawgs, four breakout sessions per age group, lunch, and the closing plenary. Attendees will also have the opportunity to browse and speak with exhibitors throughout the day.
Early Childhood (0-4 Years): In-Person Sessions on mental health and wellness, pediatric healthcare, occupational and speech therapy, and behavior. Session Details
-
School Age (Elementary-High School): In-Person Sessions on new Inclusive Education Guidelines, fatigue and mental health, augmentative and alternative communication, and supporting healthy sexuality and boundaries. Session Details
-
NDSS Adult Summit (High School-Adulthood): In-Person & Virtual Sessions on helping your adult understand death and cope with grief, supporting healthy sexuality and relationships for your adult with Down syndrome, independence, and employment. Session Details
-
NDSS Adult Summit: Self-Advocate (Self-Advocates 16 and Older): In-Person Hands on sessions for self-advocates with Down syndrome on dating and relationships , staying safe at home, at work, and on the internet, employment, self-advocacy, and more. Session Details
Who Should Attend?
Parents, family members, educators, medical professionals, service providers, direct care staff, and self-advocates ages 16 and older are encouraged to attend. Certificates of attendance will be available for continuing education credits. However, please note that the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas may not be approved and accepted by all professional associations.
Registration:
Registration is $50 per person and includes light breakfast, coffee, tea, lunch, and handouts. A virtual registration option is available for the NDSS Adult Summit caregiver track ONLY. All other conference sessions will be presented in-person at the Hilton Dallas Richardson Conference Center. A 20% group discount is available for groups of 10 or more. Please Contact Us for more details. **Thanks to the generosity of NDSS, the first 100 families to register will receive one $20 off coupon for Down Syndrome Clinic to You (DSC2U).**
Room Block:
A small room block has been established at the Hilton Dallas Richardson. To reserve a room in the conference room block, Book Online or call 972-231-9600 and mention Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas as the group name.
Questions?
|
|
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 | 5:30-7:30 PM | DSG OFFICE | $5
MEET & GREET FOOD TRUCK FEAST
|
|
People with Down syndrome are valued, able, and ready to work. Join NDSS and the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas as we support local employers and business owners with Down syndrome for a come and go food truck feast. A variety of local food trucks will be set up for your enjoyment in the south parking lot of the DSG office. The cost to attend is $5 per family and includes dinner at participating trucks. Specific food trucks and menu items will be announced soon. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration closes Monday, August 22, 2022. Questions? Please Hannah Fredette.
|
|
|
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 | 2-4 PM | DSG OFFICE
DUAL DIAGNOSIS CONNECTION
|
|
The Dual Diagnosis Connection serves families whose loved one with Down syndrome has an additional diagnosis, such as Autism or ADHD. This session is also applicable for those who may suspect their child has a dual diagnosis.
During this informal meeting, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to connect and share challenges, frustrations, successes, resources, and ask questions. This will also be a time for families to help determine what additional resources and support the Down Syndrome Guild can potentially provide to better support individuals with a dual diagnosis. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited and advance registration is required by Thursday, September 8, 2022. Please note that childcare will not be provided, and some content may not be appropriate for self-advocates with Down syndrome. Questions? Please contact Hannah Fredette.
|
|
Session Facilitators: Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Joli Webberman, and Sherry Parma, parent of a child with a dual diagnosis.
Session Focus: The use of visual schedules and creating routines to decrease problematic behaviors.
|
|
FOR SELF-ADVOCATES AGES 18+ |
|
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 | 7-10 PM | $10 EACH
SELF-ADVOCATE GALA RETURNS
|
|
Save the date! The much anticipated self-advocate gala returns this year on Friday, December 2 at The Nature and Retreat Center in Plano. Come dressed in your best! The night will include dinner, dancing, and lots of fun. Self-advocates are encouraged to bring a plus one. Plus ones are not required to have Down syndrome and may be a peer buddy, similar aged sibling, boyfriend/girlfriend, or friend. Peer volunteers will also be in attendance. Complete details and registration coming soon. Have questions? Contact Hannah Fredette.
|
|
|
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 | 5:40-7:30 PM | $10 EACH
SUPPER CLUB FOR SELF-ADVOCATES AGES 18+
|
|
|
|
Join us Friday, September 23, for a night of soccer at UTD! Students from UTD have created a program, Heroes United FC, that allows individuals with Down syndrome to enjoy the game of soccer. The DSG will provide drinks and snacks for the evening. Please arrive between 5:40- 6:00 pm to be paired up with a volunteer.
Schedule:
5:40-6:00: Drop off self-advocate/pairing with volunteers
6:00-6:15: Warm up
6:15-6:55: Drills
6:55-7:00: Hydration break
7:00-7:30: Scrimmage
Players should not bring cleats, and therefore shin guards are not necessary either. Space is limited and registration is required by Monday, September 19. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss specific accommodations and modifications for this program, please contact Hannah Fredette or heroesunitedfc@gmail.com.
|
|
People with Down syndrome have different medical needs than people without Down syndrome.
For example, there are some medical conditions they are more likely to have, and some conditions they are less likely to have, compared to people without Down syndrome. So, their annual check-ups and sometimes their course of treatments may be different.
There are healthcare guidelines for children with Down syndrome ages 0-21 that are updated from time to time, which are very different from healthcare guidelines for children without Down syndrome. Although healthcare guidelines for adults with Down syndrome were written in 1999 and 2001, they were based only on clinician experience and were not updated, even though there have since been advances and changes to standards of care.
In 2014, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) organized a task group of adults with Down syndrome, their families/caregivers, and Down syndrome experts for the purpose of establishing a medical care center for adults with Down syndrome. The feedback from that task group identified medical guidelines for adults with Down syndrome as an important tool for medical clinics and healthcare professionals to help provide more accurate evaluation and care.
As a result, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome Workgroup (GLOBAL Workgroup) was formed in 2016 to create these first ever evidence-based guidelines for adults with Down syndrome to improve the health of adults with Down syndrome. The Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome (GLOBAL Adult Guideline) was published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in October 2020. That was a very important milestone since medical professionals rely on trusted journals like JAMA and can easily find and implement the guidelines for their adult patients with Down syndrome. The GLOBAL Adult Guideline published in JAMA (2020) can be found online
GLOBAL has now released a family-friendly version of the GLOBAL Adult Guideline. The original, full length GLOBAL Adult Guideline was written for a highly technical, medical audience.
A version specifically for self-advocates is a future project. The recommendations
in the family-friendly version are the same, but the content has been modified, with
research components greatly abbreviated, and the technical methodology mostly
removed.
The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas recommends families download this new family-friendly version of the GLOBAL Adult Guideline as well as the Guideline Checklist at https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/medical-care-guidelines-for-adults/. Families are also encouraged to share information with their clinicians who may not yet be aware of these new resources for clinicians, families, and self-advocates.
|
|
The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas is proud to share opportunities hosted by local and national partners in the Down syndrome community. Please click each flyer to learn more and register for these opportunities hosted by other local and national organizations. |
|
The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas (the DSG) assumes no specific or implied liability with respect to the interpretation, use, misuse or subsequent communication of editorial content or information contained in this publication. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed herein are those of the individual authors and contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the DSG, its directors, members or the editor of this publication. The content of all The DSG News is provided as a public service for informational purpose and is not a substitute for medical or professional advice. The DSG News does not endorse any particular therapy, institution or professional system. The information herein is presented as is, without warranty of any kind express or implied and is intended to inform and not influence our readership. The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas is an affiliate member of the following organizations: |
|
Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas
1702 N. Collins Blvd. Suite 170
Richardson, TX 75080
214.267.1374
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
