| | SCHOOL AGE MATTERS E-NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2019 | | Joanie Elfers, School Age Matters Coordinator | Joanie@dsagc.com | 513.761.5400
REGISTRATION FOR 1ST QUARTER (JAN, FEB, MAR) 2020 PROGRAMMING OPENS DECEMBER 1. | | | | | | Common Strengths & Challenges of Individuals with Down syndrome | | Every individual has different strengths and challenges, but it can’t hurt to be reminded that the traits that make your student so magnificent are ones that you can lean on to maximize their learning potential! Some common strengths include: • Visual learning and visual processing
• Visual short-term memory
• Empathy and social understanding
• Self-help and daily living skills
• Utilization of technology
• Reading accuracy
• Receptive language Click here to read more and download the full PDF. | | | | Strategies to Support a Grieving Loved One | | Notes from DSAGC 21 Series - presented by Fernside: Supporting Children and Families Through Grief What is grief? A natural response to to the loss of someone or something that we love or care a lot about. It affects every part of us. How do we express our grief? Six different ways: - Our Feelings: It’s normal to have many different feelings after a loss. Such as sadness, anger, loneliness, guilt or regret, worry or anxiety.
- Our Behavior: We can have lots of different reactions to loss. Such as crying because we are sad, getting mad at people for no apparent reason, withdrawing from our friends and family, loss of interest in previously preferred items.
- Our Thoughts: The person who died is on our minds a lot or we have dreams or nightmares about them.
- Our Physical Health: Not as much energy, sleep a lot or not enough, don’t feel like eating much or eating more than usual to comfort ourselves.
- Our Spirituality: May find comfort in our faith or we may be mad at God, may wonder a lot about the meaning of life
- Our Social Lives: May not want to socialize as much or may socialize more because we don’t want to be alone, may find new friends that have gone through similar loss
What helps us with our grief? Some examples would be talking with friends, family or other people who are good listeners, art, music, writing, being in nature, exercise, and time. Read more 21 Series PowerPoint by Fernside Supporting People with Disabilities Coping with Grief and Loss (PDF) | | | | The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati supports families through a variety of life circumstances. The Giving Tree program is another way to offer support. If you are a family in the local Down syndrome community and need assistance this holiday season, please consider reaching out to us for support. Last year, the Giving Tree program lent a helping hand to 65 families, including 175 kids! NEED A HELPING HAND? We are happy to support you and your family this holiday season. All children in a family unit (18 years old and younger) and adults with Down syndrome are eligible to receive gifts from sponsors valued at $50 - $60 per child. You will have the opportunity to share gift suggestions and clothing sizes for your child(ren). You can pick up your gifts at the DSAGC Office on Dec 12, Dec 13 or Dec 14. Click here to Register! Registration closes November 22. BE A SPONSOR! Thank you for your interest in being a Giving Tree sponsor. There are two ways that you can help: sponsoring a family by shopping for gifts or giving a monetary donation for someone else to shop for gifts. If you choose to do the shopping, you are able to select how many children/adults with Down syndrome that you would like to sponsor. The suggested gift range is $50-$60 per person (no electronics, please). You can drop off your gifts at the DSAGC Office on Dec 5, Dec 6 or Dec 7. Please note, after you sign-up, you will receive a confirmation along with more information and wish-lists. Click here to Register! THANK YOU! Special THANK YOU to our Giving Tree committee who dedicate their time, talent and treasure to make this program possible. The committee was awarded with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati's 2018 Volunteer(s) of the Year award!
2019 Committee: Jena Wells, Laura Tuzun, Jessica Roeper, and Charlene Ware | | | | | | Sunday, December 8 | 1 - 3 PM
Oasis Conference Center • Loveland, Ohio Families of all ages are welcome to join the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati as we celebrate the holiday season! Your family will have the opportunity to visit with Santa, create holiday-themed crafts, receive homemade gifts, mingle with the "Christmas Tree Ladies", eat a yummy lunch, and dance with friends! NEW THIS YEAR! We will have a sensory room during the Holiday Party at the Oasis Conference Center available for all families. There will be crafts in this area and you are welcome to eat lunch in the room as well. Feel free to stay in this area the entire event, or pop in as needed. Santa will make a visit here, too!
This event is FREE to attend, but you must RSVP! | | | | | | | | 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 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. | | | | | | ••• Let's Get Fancy! ••• After you buy your ticket to the dance, you can sign-up for our Let's Get Fancy event for some pre-Winter Dance pampering! Teens and adults with Down syndrome (ages 15 & up) can get their hair, nails and make-up done by professionals. After getting *glam*, a limousine will escort the group to the dance in style. If you prefer to do your own pampering, you can just RSVP for the limo ride. Please note, the limo will only transport TO the dance.
Participants must purchase a ticket to the Winter Dance first in order to participate. Please have a parent/guardian meet you at the Newport Syndicate.
Let's Get Fancy Details
Friday, January 31st
4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212 3:30 PM – Attendees arrive for Hair, Make-Up & Nails
5 PM – Attendees (not getting hair, make-up, & nails done) arrive for Limo Departure
6:30 PM – Arrival at Newport Syndicate Let's Get Fancy is FREE to attend, but you must RSVP to Emma Ganiban at EmmaG@dsagc.com! There are only 20 spaces available (10 female & 10 male) and will fill on a first come, first serve basis. | | | | | | Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Thursday, November 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Program Coordinator: Joanie Elfers, School Age Matters Coordinator
Description: The Jon Peterson Scholarship Program provides scholarships to Ohio students who are eligible to attend kindergarten through 12th grade and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their school district. A representative from the Ohio Department of Education will be discussing specifics in relation to the scholarship. Join us for a very informative evening! Register | | | | School Age Matters Sky Zone Ages: 6 - 17 years
Dates: Monday, November 25
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Sky Zone, 11745 Commons Drive Springdale, OH 45246
Description: Come jump with friends on Sky Zone’s wall-to-wall trampoline courts! Sky Zone the originators of wall-to-wall aerial action. The only way to understand it is to experience it. To learn more about Sky Zone, visit their website: https://www.skyzone.com/springdale Please note, the DSAGC will cover the cost of each child/teen with Down syndrome. If siblings attend, you’ll need to pay at the door for their admission. $8.00 for 30 minutes; $10.00 for 60 minutes; $13.00 for 90 minutes. If you don’t own Sky Zone socks, you’ll need to purchase them for $3. We request that a parent/caregiver stay on-site during the event. Register Teen & Adult Holiday Crafting Ages: 13 & up
Dates: Sunday, November 17
Time: 1 - 2:30 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Description: At our annual Holiday Party (held on December 1), we give DSAGC families that attend a homemade gift. We invite teens and adults with Down syndrome to help us make these gifts on Sunday, November 17. This is a great opportunity for adults with Down syndrome to give back and have fun at the same time. Register Year-Round Social Opportunities SOCIAL CLUBS
Social Clubs serve as an opportunity for our adults with Down syndrome to take a leadership role in planning and implementing their own social activities. These clubs were created to empower adults and increase independence.
Learn more BUDDY UP TENNIS & FITNESS
Buddy Up Tennis is a high-energy, adaptive tennis and fitness program for children and adults with Down syndrome (our Athletes). We enable our Athletes to flourish, succeed, and reach their fullest potential by providing a unique environment that combines tennis, fitness and social activities through our weekly 90-minute clinics.
Learn more | | | | 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 | | | | 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. | | | | Understanding Behavior in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities presented by CCHMC DDBP When: Monday November 18, 9:30-11:30am Where: Cincinnati DDBP Building This 2-hour introductory course for caregivers focuses on the functions or reasons challenging behaviors may occur and teaches ways to change challenging behaviors and encourage cooperation, compliance, and positive family interactions. Register here Pathways to Employment-Open House presented by Hamilton County ESC When: Multiple dates/locations (see flyer) Let us help the young adult in your life develop the skills needed to encourage a healthy sense of independence. Pathways to Employment is a comprehensive program that prepares young adults 18-22 with disabilities to transition from a school to environment to independence. Please join us for the time that best meets your schedule. Learn more Special Olympics - Young Athletes Program presented by Special Olympics Hamilton County When: Year-round
Where: Wednesday (JF Dulles Elementary) | Thursday (The Rockwern Academy) Our young athletes program is for children 2 to 7 years old who have intellectual disabilities. It’s a program designed to get young people moving and interacting with each other. Along with a partner, such as a parent or guardian, children participate in activities that are designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development. Sessions occur throughout the year and are ten weeks long. Learn more Encore Performing Arts presented by Encore Performing Arts When: Begins October 2 (held on Wednesdays)
Where: 3320 Tylersville Rd, Suite R, 45011
Time: 6:00-6:30 PM
Come join the most amazing journey in the world of dance! Now forming at Encore Performing Arts is a competition class for children with special needs, or as we say special gifts! Classes will be for students ages 7-12. We can't wait for these children to shine their light on stage and show the world how truly precious they are. These children will have the opportunity to shine on stage five times throughout the dance season. The cost is $20 monthly. If you are interested or have questions, call 513-892-2609 or email Encore@zoomtown.com. S.A.L.T. Series presented by County Developmental Disabilities Services When: Various dates (see link)
Where: Various locations across Southwest Ohio
Butler County's School to Adult Life Transition Series (S.A.L.T.) is a FREE monthly series developed to provide a learning opportunity along with the resources and guidance, to families of children with disabilities TO HELP navigate the transition through school to adult life and beyond. Learn more (Butler County)
Learn more (Darke County)
Learn more (Montgomery, Greene, Warren Counties) Prism Marching Arts presented by Prism Marching Arts When: Saturdays (Nov 2 - March)
Where: First Baptist Church, Glen Este
A marching band for aspiring musicians with special needs. Performers must be 13+ and have a buddy (18+) to participate. There is is no experience necessary as you will learn instruments during practice. Cost is $25, which covers shirt & food. 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 | | | The Arc of Ohio The Arc of Ohio provides many statewide services for families, including Advocacy, Assistive Technology, and the Family Choice Program. Click here to learn more about what they offer. Norwood Library Family Night presented by Norwood Library When: Last Friday of the Month
Where: Norwood Library
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Enjoy an after-hours event to explore the collection and participate in fun activities in a low-stress environment. All ages welcome. No registration required. Learn more Research Study - HELP-DS sponsored 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. Learn more 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! Webinar Series sponsored by Seneca Institute Learn more Webinar Series-Future Planning sponsored by The Arc Learn more WCESC Wellness Center sponsored by Warren County ESC The WCESC Wellness Center is a school-based day treatment program that will provide the most intensive non-residential program that can be provided over an extended period of time. Students will engage in mental health services that are provided in conjunction with and are integrated with the students social, emotional & educational programming. The Wellness Center will bring together at one location, and in a coordinated manner, a broad range of services designed to strengthen student functioning and prevent students from requiring more restrictive services such as home instruction or residential placement Learn more PALS PALS is looking to expand to the Greater Cincinnati Area during the summer of 2020. First, they need to evaluate the level of interest to determine if this is feasible. You can help them by filling out the interest survey below. Take the survey | | | | | | Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
4623 Wesley Avenue Suite A | Cincinnati, 45212
5137615400 | dsagc@dsagc.com | | | | | | | | | |
