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Current Offerings
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Options for adults - Quarterly meeting for parents
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
6:00 pm - snacks and visiting
6:30 pm - program begins
First Community Bank
429 Belle Grove
Richardson, 75080 (across the parking lot from the DSG office)
The Down Syndrome Guild's Options for Adults Committee invites you to join us for an informative evening with Dr. Nilesh Dave., Medical Director of the Sleep and Breathing Disorders Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Attend this session to find out more information about sleep apnea in adults with Down syndrome, including causes, symptoms, and treatments available. RSVP to Becky Slakman at dsged@sbcglobal.net or (214) 267-1374. For additional information about sleep apnea in adults with DS, see the article in our December newsletter.
Cooking Class For Adults with Down syndrome
Saturday, January 24, 2008
10:00am-1:00pm
Arapaho United Methodist Church
1400 West Arapaho
Richardson, TX 75080
(Northeast corner of Coit & Arapaho- use the east parking lot entrance)
Winter is the perfect season to enjoy some good old fashioned home baking. It's cold outside, the house is closed up and the wonderful smells of the season permeate through the air. Join Down Syndrome Guild member Jennifer Hood and friends for an exciting cooking class. Jennifer is a teacher at the Collin County Community College, and Central Market cooking schools, as well as a registered dietician. Participants will enjoy a cooking class filled with tantalizing baked goodies sure to warm the heart and soul.
Because of space constraints, participation will be limited to the first 25 people to sign up. RSVP to Becky Slakman at 214-267-1374 or email dsged@sbcglobal.net
Save the Dates - February 19 & 26
Screening of "Forgotten Lives" February 19, 2009
6:00 pm - gather
6:30 pm - watch and discuss
First Community Bank
429 Belle Grove
Richardson, TX 75080 (across the parking lot from the DSG office)
On February 19, the Down Syndrome Guild will host the screening of the movie, Forgotten Lives. This documentary chronicles the horror and abuse perpetuated against Texas' most vulnerable citizens who live in state institutions. In response to the issues raised in this film, concerned citizens formed Community Now!, as a state-wide organization to take action to free people with disabilities from institutions.
On February 26, the CommunityNow! coalition is organizing a march and rally at the state capitol to urge legislators to provide additional support so that people with disabilities can live in the community - not institutions. Depending on level of interest, a bus may be chartered for the day trip from Dallas to Austin. Look for more information on both these activities in the February issue of the DSG News or contact Becky Slakman at (214) 267-1374 or e-mail dsged@sbcglobal.net. |
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2009 IEP Clinics Download Flyer
Region 10 Service Center
904 Abrams Road
Richardson, TX 75081
Saturdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Jan. 24 - Inclusion: From Law to Implementation, Ann Eason and Kathleen Whitbread, Ph.D. This seminar is designed to help parents and professionals understand the law and develop an IEP that enables students with disabilities to succeed in their neighborhood schools.
March 7 - How To Develop and Implement an Effective Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), Regan Roth Fitzgerald, M. Ed., BCBA & President Behavior & Education Specialists of Texas, LLC. Attendants will learn about the four main functions of all behaviors and how this relates to the development of all parts of the BIP from the functional assessment to positive intervention strategies.April 4 - Facilitating Friendships and IEP Goals , Julie Liberman, M.A.CCC-SLP & owner of Speech TX. Topics to be discussed include: importance of play, typical development of play skills, different theories for teaching individuals how to play and improve social skills, and how to incorporate these skills into IEP goals and objectives.
SPACE IS LIMITED!! RSVP is a must! Please email dallasdsg@sbcglobal.net or call the DSG office at (214) 267-1374 to confirm your reservations. |
Ongoing Programs And Services
Education
- Fall Conference-annual educational conference for educators and parents focusing on national best inclusion practices
- IEP Clinics-3 workshops designed to educate parents on a variety of topics that enhance parent participation so that they are active members in their child's Individual Education Plan
- Parents and Schools in Partnership- promotes collaborative relationships between the DSG and local school districts to affect positive outcomes for students with Down syndrome and their families.
Member Services
- Adult Issues-quarterly meetings with a variety of topics pertaining to situations that parents of post school age children experience. Example: employment, government funded services and health and welfare issues
- Adult Social Activities-bi-monthly social activities for individuals 18 and over including but not limited to: dances, bowling, ball games, dinner and bingo
- Art Therapy-planned activities that focus on skill building incorporating both individual and group projects through a variety of different art media
- Library-updated informational resources available in book or video in English and Spanish
- Mommy & Me-interactive class that includes music, art, free play, movement activities, informal parenting discussions as well as joining together with other toddlers for an outdoor playground experience
New Class Forming: Toddlers age 1 to 3 years old
Wednesdays, September 10, 2008 through December 10, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Aaron Family Jewish Community Center
7900 Northaven Road
Dallas, TX 75230
The class will be taught by Cynthia Casper, a certified Music Together instructor. Cynthia is a master teacher with a degree in Early Childhood Education and has over 20 years experience teaching preschool children. Mornings will include music, art, free play, movement activities, informal parenting discussions, as well as, joining together with other toddlers for an outdoor playground experience.
Space limited. You must commit to entire semester. To register, call or email Becky Slakman at the DSG office 214-267-1374 or dsged@sbcglobal.net
*Thanks to the generosity of the Janis Levine Music Women's & Children's Endowment Fund of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation and the Aaron Family JCC, there is no fee for Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas members.
- Newsletter-monthly newsletter sent to members consisting of educational, informative and inspirational articles as well as local and national news and events
- Picnic-annual Membership picnic for our members to come together in a social setting
- Snackin with Santa-social holiday event for our families
- Social Skills Class-class for teens and young adults reviewing appropriate manners and behaviors in a variety of social settings
- Teen Dances-dances hosted twice a year by Cistercian Preparatory School
OutreachChanging Lives-a national program that provides research and outreach to healthcare professionals on the medical and developmental needs of babies with Down syndrome and the best care practices to address them
- Dad's Group-informal support group for dads addressing a wide variety of pertinent topics that may arise while raising a child with Down syndrome; this group also will have social outings with children
- Down Syndrome Clinic-located at Children's Medical Center Dallas, trained volunteers from the Down Syndrome Guild are present each Friday serving as a liaison and friendly face to the families being seen by the various healthcare professionals. Families are given information about programs and services that the DSG offers
- Educator of the Year-this award, voted on by parents and educators in the community, is presented annually to an individual or team working with people with Down syndrome in an inclusive, educational environment.
- Mom's Escape-monthly gatherings for mom's and other female family members for social conversation and relaxation
- New Parent Get Together-quarterly program where new parents meet each other and learn from various people involved in the Down Syndrome Guild about programs and services available to them
- New Parent Packets/Baskets- once the Down Syndrome Guild becomes aware of a new family, a packet of information and resources is mailed to them.They also receive the book Babies with Down syndrome. These packets are available in both English and Spanish. The Down Syndrome Guild is in the process of upgrading the information packets to baskets that in addition to providing resources will include baby items (diapers, wipes, toys, books, blankets). These baskets will be delivered by trained volunteers. The intent is to give the new parents a gift, not just the information
- Parent to Parent Referral-trained volunteers reach out to parents who contact the Down Syndrome Guild with a variety of questions/concerns. Staff matches the question with the volunteer who has the most knowledge of that particular subject and connects the parents
- Play Groups-regional small groups of parents and children meet throughout the year for the babies/toddlers to play while the parents are meeting informally. Program often serves as a means to obtaining information on schools, doctors, therapists etc.
- Travis Ahrens Award-this award was established by the Ahrens family many years ago to honor their son, Travis, who had Down syndrome and died from complications of a congenital heart defect. This award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant impact on the work of the Guild
- Website- www.downsyndromedallas.org provides internet information about the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. Areas of information available are upcoming events; local programs and resources; national resources; new parent information; a photo gallery; electronic versions of the Down Syndrome Guild newsletter; community resources and services available. Donors are able to make on-line contributions to the Down Syndrome Guild
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