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EARLY MATTERS E-NEWSLETTER
January 2020 |
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A Note from Early Matters Coordinator, Jena Wells |
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Happy New Year to all! A new decade is beginning! The DSAGC has an exciting 2020 ahead! We are working through a strategic planning process right now, we are opening the NEW Empowerment Center, and we are taking a close look at our Programming and how we can best utilize this new space! Keep an eye out for updates! My hope is that you all stay healthy and joyous during these winter months. I thought we could all use a reminder through the following article. I know I do! ~ Jena |
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Parenting Resolutions: Your 4-Step Plan to Calm, Positive Parenting |
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By Debbie Pincus, MS LMHC The new year gives us a chance to pause and ask ourselves the big questions: “How am I doing? How can I improve?” If you’re a parent, perhaps you resolve to be a calmer one, a more consistent one, a stricter one, a more involved one. Maybe you’re thinking about the gap between the parent you are and the parent you want to be. Here are four steps for you to effect positive change in your family this year. Many of them are simple to put into place, but create change that will last for a lifetime. Step one: Self-reflection Self-reflection is key to all good relationships, including those with your kids. And the beginning of a new year is a great time to resolve to make any necessary changes. Resolutions first require some thoughtful self-reflection. Here are some important New Year’s questions to ask yourself which will help you reflect and formulate your own resolutions. Step two: Calm is contagious A common resolution parents make at New Year’s (and all through the year) is to yell less and be less reactive. Staying calm with your kids is one of the best things you can do to model behavior and build positive relationships. Remember, anxiety is contagious—and so is calm. Here are five tips to keep help you keep your cool this year so you can stick to your resolutions. READ MORE |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 | 6:30 - 10:30 PM
NEWPORT SYNDICATE Our Annual Winter Dance has become one of our signature celebratory events of the year! Attendees range from couples on a date night to groups of friends, to teens and adults with Down syndrome out with their social club. We encourage you to join us for an evening of good food and drinks, dancing, and of course, fun!
Ticket to the dance includes admission, light appetizers, buffet dinner, soft drinks, dessert and 2 drink tickets for beer or wine. Cash bar for all other beverages. Don't forget, unlimited live music and dancing with our favorite band Candygram!
$25 per ticket | $300 reserved VIP table of 10
Open seating unless you purchase a reserved table. We respectfully request ages 15 and up to attend the dance. |
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Early Matters Empowerment Classes |
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Physical Therapy Ages: 0-1
Date: Sundays, March 1-29
Time: 3-4 PM
Location: ABC Pediatric Therapy - Red Bank, 4325 Red Bank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Description: This class is a therapist-facilitated, progressive-building gross motor program focused on milestones for children diagnosed with Down syndrome 0-1 years old. This is a group physical therapy session. Each week, a different topic/technique will be discussed as a group, and then you will have time to practice with the therapist. Parents may ask the therapist about specific questions or concerns regarding their child.There will be one physical therapist at each session to speak with every family. We kindly ask that you do not bring siblings to this class. Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn techniques to encourage development at home.
- Have fun playing with your child while progressing their development.
- Participants will be able to interact with one another.
Register Sign Language-Level 1 Ages: 0-5
Date: Saturdays, January 25 - February 29
Time: 9-9:45 AM
Location: DSAGC Community Room, 4623 Wesley Ave, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212
Description: This is a family class. Bring the siblings and each parent to learn sign language together for the entire household to benefit! Sign language is intended to help very young children to express their needs and wishes earlier than they could otherwise. Baby signing experts believe that frustration and tantrums can be avoided by closing the gap between desire to communicate and the ability to do so. This is a beginning sign class that teaches basic useful vocabulary for families. Each week follows a content theme: Food, Daily Routine, etc. We will also work on signing one fun song throughout the session. Sign language is intended to help very young children to express their needs and wishes earlier than they could otherwise. Learning Objectives:
- Families will learn signs, including food signs and signs related daily routines.
- Families will gain comfort and confidence with using signs to communicate/play.
- Families will learn a song to sing and sign at home.
Register Sign Language-Level 2 Ages: 0-5
Date: Saturdays, January 25 - February 29
Time: 10-10:45 AM
Location: DSAGC Community Room, 4623 Wesley Ave, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212
Description: This is a family class. Bring the siblings and each parent to learn sign language together for the entire household to benefit! Sign language is intended to help very young children to express their needs and wishes earlier than they could otherwise. Baby signing experts believe that frustration and tantrums can be avoided by closing the gap between desire to communicate and the ability to do so. This is a sign language course that moves from vocabulary to simple sentences. Learning Objectives:
- Families will learn signs, including animal signs and descriptive signs.
- Families will learn to form simple sentences.
- Families will learn a song to sing and sign at home.
Register |
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Tools and Strategies for Future Planning and Building a Meaningful Life in the Community Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Tuesday, January 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Community Room, 4623 Wesley Ave, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212
Description: In this session, attendees will learn about supports beyond the system of services and how to plan for the future. One will learn how to develop a vision for “wants” and “do not wants” for a future life for youth and adults. One will also gain an understanding about tools they can utilize in the future planning process. Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will learn about tools for future planning.
- Attendees will learn about how to develop a vision for life now and in the future.
Attendees will gain an understanding about some of the supports beyond the system of services. Register Visual Schedules Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Friday, February 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Community Room, 4623 Wesley Ave, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212
Description: During this educational class for caregivers, we will be learning about why visual schedules are important. Through a parent perspective and a professional behavioral therapist perspective, we will dive into the how, why, and actually make a visual schedule. Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will go home with your own visual schedule to start using tomorrow.
- Attendees will learn your options and the different types of schedules.
- Attendees will learn how visual schedules support behavioral needs.
Register |
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World Down Syndrome Day 5K / 10K / Kids Fun Run |
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Sunday, March 29
8:30 AM Registration; 10 AM Start
Winton Woods, Harpers Meadow World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21 (3/21) to signify the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome present in people with Down syndrome. One way you can celebrate is to sign-up to walk or run in the World Down Syndrome Day 5K/10K! This 5K is EXTRA special! In honor of World Down Syndrome Day (3/21) we incorporate "3-2-1" into many race elements. We celebrate all things Down syndrome...from the race distance of 3.21 miles to the race fee of $32.10. Come out with your friends, family, neighbors or coworkers and walk or run with us.  Learn More & Register! |
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Community Participation Fund We have a limited amount of scholarships available for individuals with Down syndrome to participate in community activities (such as camps, soccer, swim lessons) and therapies. Learn more and Register Hospital Care Packages Is your child (18 years and younger), with Down syndrome, spending three or more days in the hospital? The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati would love to support you during this difficult time. Learn more and Register Community Groups A Community Group is designed to create opportunities for families that have children with Down syndrome to network and share common interests, concerns, challenges, and information. Learn more and Register |
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The DSAGC does not endorse, recommend or support any particular regime, therapy, activity, camp or treatment. We welcome articles and information from parents, professionals and other interested parties. If you are interested in a community opportunity, please contact the presenting organization directly for additional details. |
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Marvel Weekend-Sensory Friendly Matinee at the Cincinnati Cyclones presented by Cincinnati Children's Medical Center When: Sunday, January 19 Where: Heritage Bank Center (formerly US Bank Arena) Time: Doors open at 2pm, puck drops at 3pm Cyclones Fans Assemble for Marvel Weekend!! Meet some of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes throughout the game. The Cyclones will wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off. The Sunday matinee also marks our Sensory Friendly Game presented by Cincinnati Children's Medical Center. Hockey is for everyone! We are happy to offer a Sensory Friendly Game with decreased auditory and visual stimulation. **The Cyclones have created a special ticket website for the DSAGC with discounted tickets ($12 each). Click here to purchase your tickets! Understanding and Writing an IEP- Hamilton County presented by Nacny Crabtree, OCECD When: January 23 Where: Houston Conference Center (3308 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45251) Time: 6pm Participants will gain an understanding of the IEP components and the documentation necessary to develop an IEP. Discussion will focus on who is required to be involved in the development of an IEP and what the parent and school roles are in the process. Each section of the IEP will be reviewed with an explanation of what information is required by IDEA 2004 and what needs to be recorded in the various IEP sections. To register please contact Vicky Coleman: vcoleman@nwlsd.org or 513-522-6700 ext. 4905 Stop Behavior Before it Starts - Parent Training presented by Key Behavior Services When: January 23 & February 4 (the same presentation) Where: Key Behavior Services-Centerville (Jan 23) Green Township Library (Feb 4) Time: 6:30pm The presentation is free to attend, but RSVP is required. Email Lisa@keyaba.com to RSVP. Learn more Sensory Saturday - Cincinnati Art Museum When: January 25, February 22, March 28, April 25, May 23 Where: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 9:30-11:30am This program is designed for families with children who have Autism to explore the Art Museum before public hours. Each month we explore different galleries through multisensory learning centers, lead by specially trained docents. Families are also
welcome to stop by the Rosenthal Education Center to participate in an all-ability art making activity. This program is FREE, and no reservations are required Learn more Training Opportunities for Parents & Caregivers Presented by CCHMC DDBP Click here to view the January-July Training Schedule Big Blue Canopy-Pediatric Gym & Therapy Services Big Blue Canopy provides family-centered services, with an emphasis on caring for all aspects of life. Our therapists are dedicated to providing children and young adults with comprehensive, compassionate, and dynamic evidence-based therapy. Due to the complex needs of our client’s, therapists may co-treat to maximize a client’s abilities. In addition to individualized therapy, we also offer a variety of classes and programs in a group setting that is designed to be an extension of our client's plan of care. Parent Trainings Group Classes Click here to visit their website! |
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Language Research Study sponsored by Cincinnati Children's Hospital
What: A study to learn more about what language measures are best to use when evaluating children with Down syndome Who: Children 2.5-7 years with Down syndrome Pay: Up to $165 for time and effort Contact: dsresearch@cchmc.org or call 513-636-0674 Learn more Research Study - Power of the Point presented by Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign We are recruiting mothers and their 18-to-24-month olds with Down syndrome for a research study on what skills support early language development What will we do?
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Toddlers and their mothers will asked to play with toys, complete an assessment of language & cognitive abilities, & complete questionnaires 3 times over a 1-year period.
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This will take 1.5-2 hours at your home, our lab at the University of Illinois, or a location near you.
Click here to view research opportunities Research Study - HELP-DS presented by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Health Your family may benefit by learning about the importance of SDB in children with DS. Children with Down syndrome ages 3 - 12.9 years who have not had their tonsils and adenoid removed can participate. Click here to view research opportunities Focus Groups-Cincinnati Children's Hospital sponsored by The Thomas Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Where: Locations include Thomas Center or Liberty campus The Thomas Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is looking for individuals willing to participate in focus groups as part of a research study. • Family members of children with Down syndrome (2 – 18 years old)
• Adults with Down syndrome (18+ years old) who are willing to be a self-advocate
• Professionals involved with individuals with Down syndrome (6+ months of experience) Our goal during the focus groups is to discuss behaviors seen in individuals with Down syndrome and to identify which areas are more problematic than others.Each focus group will be no longer than 2 hours. Benefits include: Compensation of $30 and helping improve measurements for DS. Also: Snacks and child care provided on site of the focus group! Interested? Contact our study team for potential dates and times: Emily K. Hoffman, MEd – Emily.Hoffman1@cchmc.org or 513.803.3641 Spread the word! Dr. Anna Esbensen, PhD and her team appreciate your help! Empowering Families Symposium - Save the Date! When: April 30 Where: Xavier University-Schiff Family Conference Center Conference includes speakers, community agencies, and companies specializing in disability services. Learn more The Children's Theatre Sensory-Friendly Performances presented by The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati When: Annie Jr., March 8 | Matilda, April 29
Where: Taft Theatre
At The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, we believe theatre is for everyone. That’s why we are so excited to present the third season of MainStage Sensory-Friendly performances at the Taft Theatre. Learn more |
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Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
4623 Wesley Avenue Suite A | Cincinnati, 45212
5137615400 | dsagc@dsagc.com |
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