October 2008
Buddy Walk Featuring Chris Burke! Saturday, October 4. DSIA brought out over 500 people to Southside park in Sacramento and mother nature kept the day sunny and warm! We want to thank everyone who came out and walked with us - you all are helping to make a direct difference in the lives of those affected by Down syndrome. The Kids Zone and prizes, the walk, resource fair, and a fabulous concert by Chris Burke and his band helped make the dau a huge success! Click here for more information
September 2008
Heartache to Hope: Professionals. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This program is not specific to Down syndrome. Professionals serving people with all disabilities are welcome. Journey with Stacey B Thacker, LMFT, as she shares her family's experience raising a child with multiple disabilities. In this interactive presentation, Stacey outlines the emotional impact of disability on the family and assists professionals in gaining the skills necessary to facilitate growth among the families they serve as well as in themselves. Sponsored jointly by the DSIA, Alta California Regional Center, Warmline Family Resource Center and the Sacramento County Office of Education.
Heartache to Hope: Parents. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This presentation is not specific to Down syndrome. Family members affected by all disabilities are welcome. Free dinner and childcare will be provided for those who register. Families who have children with special needs will find in this workshop a safe and inviting place to explore the emotional impact of their child's condition on themselves and their family. They will learn new ways of interacting with each other that foster support, love and maintain or restore functional family dynamics. Sponsored jointly by the DSIA, Alta California Regional Center, Warmline Family Resource Center and the Sacramento County Office of Education.
August 2008
DSIA Ice Cream Social for Families and Professionals. McKinley Park, Sacramento. The Down Syndrome Information Alliance celebrated the end of summer with our friends and families at our August ice cream social. This well-shaded park offered a great gathering spot for adult and children alike. DSIA provided fruit bars and ice cream sandwiches were generously donated by Dreyer's.
July 2008
National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention in Boston. DSIA Joined 2,000 families and professionals for this amazing experience where we learned from the world’s experts in Down syndrome. Sessions on education, healthcare, sibling topics, dating, financial planning, employment and much more! There was also a sibling conference and a youth/adult (with Down syndrome) conference that ran concurrently. Click here for more information
DSIA Family Picnic at Memorial Park in Rocklin. DSIA held a family picnic, planned by Nancy Muir, on Saturday, July 26 for the whole family. We enjoyed networking for parents, grandparents and teens and a sprinkler play area for the kids. Free lunch was provided for those who RSVP'd!
June 2008
Oral Motor Issues in Down syndrome. Thursday, June 19 from 6 pm - 8 pm with free dinner and free childcare (must pre-register). For more information or to register contact knowledge@downsyndromeinfo.org and Click here for more information
Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach. Lori Overland, MS, CCC-SLP will provide a step-by-step approach to teach your tolerance of touch, enabling eating and use of oral-motor therapy tools. Day 1 focuses on promoting acceptance of touch for feeding and oral exercises. Lori’s techniques incorporate a variety of temperatures textures and tastes. Day 2 features hands-on learning of proper therapeutic techniques for spoon feeding, straw drinking and chewing solid foods. Leave this workshop with therapeutic feeding techniques that you can use with confidence the next day. Click here for more information
Speech pathologists, occupational therapists and parents are encouraged to attend. The DSIA will provide a limited number of scholarships for its members. For more information on scholarships and membership contact info@downsyndromeinfo.org 1.2 ASHA / AOTA CEUs (intermediate level; professional area)
May 2008
Hungry for Life Progressive Dinner PartyDon't you just love a good progressive dinner party? We do! With 250 attendees dining in some of Sacramento's finest retaurants, we had a blast at this year's Hungry for Life Progressive Dinner Party. Beginning at the Sacramento Convention Center guests then traveled to two of the participating restaurants for appetizers and the main course, with an amazing dessert spread by Classique Catering back at the Convention Center. Thank you to our restaurants: Lucca, Spataro, Esquire Grill, Morgans Central Valley Bistro and Dawson's American Bistro and Martinis. Click here for more information.
April 2008
Knowledge Network: Special Needs Financial Planning, presented by Merrill Lynch. Ensure your family’s future by getting the facts. This free, no obligation seminar will provide information to help you update your financial plan or start the process. Click here for more information about the event.
March 2008
Knowledge Network: Teaching Reading and Math. The DSIA presents the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County's, "The Learning Program." This seminar will provide an overview of research-based principles, practices and materials that can be used by parents and educators with children with Down syndrome of all ages. The DSFOC has partnered with educators, researchers and administrators to develop a program that uses effective teaching strategies and customized materials to support parents and children in the educational process. Parents of pre-K through elementary school age children are encouraged to attend. Bring your child’s teacher! Click for more information about "The Learning Program." http://www.dsfoc.org/learning_program/index.html
February 2008
Winter Social and Annual Meeting. Families, educators and professionals are invited to socialize and network at the DSIA’s first event of 2008. This will be an “open house;” come for the whole time or just for a little while. There will be activities for the kids and a FREE DINNER.
January 2007
Out of the Box Reading Program
October 2006
Feeding and the connection to speech: A video presentation "Organizing the Mouth for Feeding & Speech." Visit the web site: Feeding Support Group
July 2006
M.I.N.D. Institute Research
April 2006
Assistive Devices to Enhance Communictions
Nov 2005
Neuro Psych Findings in Young Children with Down Syndrome. Dr. Sally Rogers from the UC Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute
Oct 2005
PROMPTS Speech Therapy by Jane Johnson
Sept 2005
Feeding and Nutrition by Kinzie Murphy, Speech and Language Pathologist. Easter Seals Superior Ca
August 2005
Preparing for a successful IEP by Geralyn M. Clancy, Attorney
July 2005
Making Your Voice Heard: Advocacy training for parents and professionals. By Elizabeth Helms, Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Perry Communications Group
June 2005
"Financial Planning for Special Needs" Visit MetDESK
May 2005
Baby Signs
April 2005
How to advocate for your child in the IEP process. By Bob Varma, Special Education Lawyer
March 2005
Music to Grow On, Music Therapy. Location: 601 University Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825. Call (916) 920-0143