BOO! Did we scare ya? It's National Down Syndrome Awareness Month! October is full of incredible virtual programming: Our newest Ages & Stages, 2026 Convention Call for Speakers, and our Not-So-Scary Halloween Costume Dance Party Extravaganza! |
|
|
| NDSC's Not-So-Scary Halloween Costume Dance Party Extravaganza! Tuesday, October 28 7:30 PM EST 6:30 PM CST 5:30 PM MST 4:30 PM PST Join NDSC and Real Smiles Dance for a very special Halloween dance lesson and costume dance party! Grab your vampire fangs, bat wings, and witch's hats and get ready to dance until the werewolves come out! Real Smiles Dance creates inclusive dance opportunities for people with disabilities, fostering joy, confidence, and connection through movement. Real Smiles Dance offers a wide variety of dance videos for all abilities. Whether you're looking for a specific style or want to explore the latest content, Real Smiles Dance has something for everyone.
Real Smiles Dance was created by Cody Bingham, a young adult from Montana with over 14 years of experience dancing for Nickelodeon, Justin Bieber, The Greatest Showman, Dancing with the Stars, and more! Cody and his BFF, Dixon, who has Down syndrome, created Real Smiles Dance to show the world that anyone can connect just by sharing their love for dancing and moving. |
|
|
Gifts & Challenges Exchange - caregiver conversations and support for those supporting adults with Down syndrome age 30+
Family engagement sessions for parents and caregivers of adults with Down syndrome 30 and older. These are facilitated group discussions led by Dr. Dennis McGuire, covering a range of relevant topics.
Each session will emphasize shared conversation and peer support. Next session: October 29, 7PM EST Attendance for each Zoom conversation will be limited to 50 people.
Join the mailing list to receive the Zoom link by registering below. If you have questions, reach out to info@ndsccenter.org. |
|
|
| Join us for our next Ages & Stages! October 28 at 1:00 PM EST Working and Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits Hosted by Michele A. Leahy, MS. CPWIC CEO, Leahy Life Plan |
|
|
St. Louis, MO Educators Conference
In collaboration with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis Saturday, November 8 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Our Educators Conference offers practical, research-based strategies that general and special education teachers can immediately implement to support students with intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome - Addressing BEHAVIOR through proven strategies
-
Literacy strategies to facilitate READING DEVELOPMENT
- Proven practices for INCLUSION
- Strategies for ACCESS for all
-
Integrating ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in learning
- Planning and designing CURRICULUM
- MEDICAL IMPLICATIONS for the classroom
|
| Registration includes: - Breakfast & Lunch
- Certificate of attendance
- 0.6 CEUs (+$30)
For more information, go to ndsccenter.org Questions? Email Kim Owens at kim@ndsccenter.org |
|
|
|
Edades y etapas
Manejo de la apnea del sueño en individuos con síndrome de Down Dr. Ignacio Tapia
Jefe de la División de Neumología Pediátrica Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Miami
22 de octubre 2025 12 PM EST / 11 AM CST / 10 AM MST / 9AM PST Seminario GRATUITO El Dr. Tapia discutirá la importancia y el manejo de la AOS en personas con síndrome de Down en todo el espectro de edad, con énfasis en los tratamientos actuales y emergentes. |
|
|
National Down Syndrome Congress provides easy and accessible ways to engage your elected officials. When new and important legislation is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate or more support is needed for existing bills, we will notify you and request that you contact your Members of Congress. One simple way you can advocate is to register for NDSC’s Action Alerts. Action Alerts are template emails with information about the legislation and talking points that you can forward directly to your Members of Congress.
Sign up for Action Alerts today and take action to raise the voices of those in our community.
TCIEA ACTION ALERT - COMING SOON! |
|
|
| Jeff Novorr Vice President of Hospitality Services The University of Kansas Health System
Walt Disney once famously said, “It all started with a Mouse.” For me, it all started with a scoop (of ice cream). You read that right – my exposure to disability employment began with a scoop – a Golden Scoop to be exact. In 2021, after reading an article in the local media, I visited The Golden Scoop, a then-new, not-for-profit ice cream shop in Overland Park, Kansas. You see, they mostly employ people with disabilities, and according to the article I read, they were no longer accepting applications for employment because they had a waiting list for open positions. At the same time, amid the pandemic, my departments at The University of Kansas Health System were struggling with more than 100 open positions we could not fill. What was I missing?
Turns out a lot. |
|
|
KU Health System Division of Hospitality Services the winner of our 2024 NDSC Employer of the Year award! |
|
|
This week, the NDSC Policy & Advocacy Team was on Capitol Hill alongside members of our National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (NDAC) and NDSC leadership!
We met with both Democratic and Republican offices to discuss policies that impact people with Down syndrome and their families—covering education, employment, health care, and more.
Our advocates are sharing their stories and priorities, demonstrating the power of collective, bipartisan voices working together to drive meaningful change. |
|
|
The driving force behind our hard work and dedication is our passion for all the children and adults with Down syndrome across the country that we serve. Our belief that we are making a difference in numerous lives keeps us energized and motivated to continue our efforts. |
| |
|
| Our NDAC Portal on the NDSC website will be launching soon! We are reminding all NDAC members to update their information. Emails have been sent out with all current information and instructions on how to update. Make sure you sign up NOW to get access to the NDAC portal! |
|
|
Orlando, Florida | Hilton Signia July 23 - 26, 2026
Now featuring the DSAIA Pre-Con July 22 - 23, 2026
Registration opens: March 10, 2026 CALL FOR SPEAKERS IS NOW OPEN! |
|
|
|
The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA consists of physicians and scientists who are foremost experts in Down syndrome medical care in the U.S. DSMIG provides conferencing and professional mentorship opportunities for clinicians and researchers interested in improving health outcomes for those with Down syndrome. Their statement below is based on decades of evidence-based research and their collective expertise.
NDSC, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and GiGi's Playhouse encourage people with Down syndrome to consider recommended vaccines, and we also encourage each patient and family to discuss their unique concerns or medical issues with their own doctors to figure out what is best for them. We appreciate DSMIG’s work in this regard, and we are sharing their statement below and through this link.
|
|
|
“Research and clinical experience show that children and adults with Down syndrome are more likely to get very sick from certain infections. Available vaccines are safe and protect against many of these infections. We are a group of doctors and scientists with significant experience with Down syndrome. We continue to review all the research on vaccines and people with Down syndrome. We are all in agreement that vaccines are safe and effective for people with Down syndrome. We know that getting vaccinated is one of the most important things that can be done to protect the health for someone with Down syndrome.
People with Down syndrome should receive all recommended vaccines. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that someone with Down syndrome get additional vaccines. This is done to provide extra protection from certain infections that could be more severe for people with Down syndrome.” |
|
|
The driving force behind our hard work and dedication is our passion for all the children and adults with Down syndrome across the country that we serve. Our belief that we are making a difference in numerous lives keeps us energized and motivated to continue our efforts. |
| |
|
As you thoughtfully consider giving to our annual campaign, please know that your generosity is tied to who we serve, and they are why we do what we do.
|
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}*
|
| |
|
|
