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Spring Program Registration
Speech Therapy
(ages 0 – 2)
Tuesdays | May 1 – June 5
6:30 – 7:30 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
This class will prepare your child with a great start to feeding, speech, and communication. Each week will have a focus (1) Integrating primitive reflexes and how they affect everything from walking, to speech, to feeding, to attention and behavior. (2) Feeding/nutrition/oral development and (3) Language development and communication elicitation. Parents will take home concrete ideas to support their child at home. This class does require parent participation because parents will be learning alongside their child!
The DSAGC warmly welcomes therapists from SMILES Integrative Therapy Services. The first two classes will be instructed by Carly I. Starnes, Occupational Therapist. The second two classes will be instructed by Tara L. Koker-Noia, PROMPT Therapist & Instructor (owner of SMILES), and the last two classes will be instructed by Terri L. Smock, PROMPT Therapist. They each have their own expertise to bring and help us learn more about our children and their communication needs.
Art Therapy
(ages 3 – 5)
Sundays | April 8 – May 6
3:30 – 4:30 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
Each week, little ones will create a page for an “Activity Book” that they will take home at the completion of the program. There will be two additional art projects based on a different theme each week. In between the activities, there will be gross motor time. This is a PARENT and CHILD hands-on class. Please note - things may get “messy”, but what a great way to see a child’s self-expression through ART.
Art Therapy will be led by Christy Gregg, CTRS. Christy joined the DSAGC in 2011 as the Adult Matters Coordinator. Christy graduated from the college of Mount Saint Joseph with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy, and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS). Christy has over 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. She worked as a program coordinator for supported living and waiver services with adults, and also has years of experience in recreational based programs. She was a camp director for Cincinnati Recreation Commission, where she designed and implemented numerous art activities and therapies throughout summer camp. She has a passion and personal connection for her work through her brother, Michael and overall just loves to craft!
If more than 10 participants register, we will have a lottery draw. Registration closes two weeks before the start of class.
Fitness with Friends and Family
(ages 6 – 12) • Wednesdays | April 11 – May 16 • 6 – 6:45 PM
(ages 13 – 18) • Wednesdays | April 11 – May 16 • 7 – 7:45 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
Physical activity is integral to a child with Down syndrome’s health, fitness and wellbeing. It supports the development of their bones, improves their movement and encourages balance and coordination skills. Additionally, physical activity promotes the development of social skills, encourages children to be independent and helps them maintain a healthy body weight. Performing enough physical activity can improve sleep, concentration, academic performance and self-esteem. Regular physical activity has long-term health benefits, as it reduces the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, depression and obesity. (Shields, Nora, and Fiona Blee. “Voice.” Dec. 2012.)
Fitness guru’s Joanie Elfers and Debbie Schroeder will lead an introductory fitness experience for participants to learn stretching techniques, cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Participants are highly encouraged to bring one friend or family member along with them to join in on the fun! *Note, if you bring a friend or family member, they do not have to pay an additional $20 fee.
Employment Prep
(ages 18 & up)
Thursdays | May 3 – June 7
6:30 – 8 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
By participating in this 6 week interactive series, participants will learn about professionalism, character strengths, interviewing skills and where to find employment support in their community. At the end of the series, participants will partake in mock interviews and a networking event. The employment series will be led by Calista Stone, MSOL, Vice President of Programs at Cincinnati Works.
Calista Stone is an experienced, results-oriented organizational development professional with a record of achievement in strategic thinking and problem solving in developing and managing workforce development and post-secondary educational support services for individuals with economic disadvantages and/or disabilities.
Express Yourself
(ages 18 & up)
Mondays | June 25 – July 23, open-mic night July 27
6:30 – 8 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
Express Yourself is a unique mix of finding & expressing yourself, through writing exercises, visual arts and performance. In this Workshop, participants have the opportunity to discover and express their true selves, in exciting interactive writing exercises and performance techniques, that are not only a lot of fun, but individuals find their creative voice.
WordPlay Cincy is a nonprofit organization that helps Cincinnati’s young people fulfill their potential by making connections through reading, writing and storytelling. They provide innovative programs in community centers and schools to help participants achieve success with the support of teaching artists, literacy design experts and caring volunteer mentors. Learn more at www.wordplaycincy.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as WordPlayCincy.
Express Yourself is facilitated by Jori An Cotton, Word Play Cincy Writer in Residence for 2017-2018. A seasoned spoken-word performer and teaching artist, has significant experience inspiring young people and adults through the power of poetic storytelling. Prior to joining WordPlay, she oversaw the implementation of spoken word and poetry slam programs at Walnut Hills High School, The School for Creative and Performing Arts, McAuley High school, Taft Information Technology High School, Hughes STEM High School, and Woodward Career Technical High School; as well as leading Crossing the Street open mics and coordinating Voices of Freedom spoken word workshops with the hip hop and arts nonprofit organization Elementz. In addition, her educational background in social work and experience with organizations like Starfire Council allows her to bring a poignant level of additional skill and expertise to the role.
Early Matters Spring Social
(prenatal – 5 years)
Saturday, April 14
9:30 – 11:30 AM
ABC Pediatric Therapy, 7591 Tylers Place Blvd, West Chester Township, OH 45069
*note location*
Come join other Early Matters families for our animal-themed social! A great way for the whole family (including grandparents) to have fun and meet new faces. We will enjoy food and some animal activities together. There is also a play area for the little ones. All families who attend will be entered to win a few lottery items. Hope to see you there!
School Age Matters Social
(ages 6 – 17)
Monday, April 30
5 – 6 PM
Sky Zone, 11745 Commons Drive, Springdale, Ohio 45246
Come and discover the joy of being active, bouncing on the trampolines, playing ball, and jumping into foam pits! Individuals with Down syndrome have free entry. Friends and family can purchase entry at a discounted rate upon arrival. *Note, parents are required to be present.
321 Party
(ages 16 & up)
Saturday, Mar 24
4 - 6 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with your friends! We will have food, drinks, dancing and fun! Social clubs are encouraged to attend with their peer partners!
21 Series – Future Financial Planning
(parents and professionals)
Saturday, April 21
10 – 11:30 AM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
*anyone in attendance is entered to win a door prize*
Smart Money Series: Special Needs Trusts, ABLE accounts and Tax Benefits for Families with Special Needs members. Chris Collier says it simply: “I help successful people keep more of the hard-earned money they make.” In a world of confusing and often conflicting multi-media messages, Chris helps his clients make educated decisions – based on science and economics, not hype and opinion – to create effective, efficient and coordinated financial strategies. Successful people including attorneys, high-income executives, wealthy individuals, and business owners look to Chris for holistic strategies that efficiently provide financial protection, savings, and growth for their families and businesses.
Chris graduated from Wittenberg University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Always an entrepreneur – delivering newspapers as a boy and holding a variety of sales jobs during school – Chris wanted a career that he could build as his own business with a focus on helping people improve their lives. Once he began working as a financial professional, Chris soon came to understand the enormous need for the services he could provide, and the value his planning could bring to his clients. Early in his career, Chris worked with a client on a family protection plan including disability income and life insurance. Less than a year later, the client was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the insurance that he had put in place with Chris provided a much-needed income during his disability and a significant benefit to his family after his death. It was then that Chris realized the critical importance of his financial services role and the value he could bring to his clients.
Chris and his family – wife Katy, and children Philip, Charley, Peter and Libby enjoy an active life as longtime Anderson Township residents. His work with individuals and families with special needs comes from his own life; as the parent of a teenage son with learning disabilities Chris was quick to recognize the importance of appropriate financial protection and educate himself so he could offer his expertise to others who may need it. When he’s not working or spending time with his family, Chris enjoys golf, tennis, photography and collecting baseball related memorabilia, and he’ll always make time to take in a Reds game.
As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC), Chris has nine years of experience in assisting families with financial strategies that address social, medical and legal issues of a family member with disabilities and other special needs. He has a thorough understanding of estate and tax planning concepts, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of working with families that have special needs. In addition to individual consultation, Chris conducts educational seminars for families and providers so they are fully aware of the financial aspects of caring for an individual with a disability or other special needs.
It’s Chris’s firm belief that everyone deserves financial security. As a financial professional, he sees his job as helping people with integrated, coordinated strategies so they will have everything they could have, and their security isn’t left to chance. That’s how he can make a difference in their lives.
21 Series – Toilet Training
(parents and professionals)
Monday, May 21
6:30 – 8 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
*anyone in attendance is entered to win a door prize*
On the surface it seems so easy since this is a task everyone does throughout the day, every day; right? Not always, and especially not if your child learns in more non-traditional ways. Many families struggle with teaching their child to use the bathroom, and it can keep children and families from being able to participate in activities and programs that require children to be potty trained. (excerpt by Jenniger Seiler, MS)
Are you wondering when your child is ready to start toilet training? Are you looking for concrete ideas to prepare your child for toilet training? Are you interested in learning some techniques to support your child through this exciting transition? This is the class for you!
Cindy Bruner, M.Ed. will present. Cindy has worked with children with disabilities for over 10 years. She is passionate about creating unique learning environments and interventions that center around the child’s strengths to support success in the home and community. She has her Master’s in Education from the University of Cincinnati with a concentration in School Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis. She been with Envision’s CITE Services program for 8 years. She is the director of the CITE program.
21 Series – Sibling Support
(parents and professionals)
Thursday, June 21
6:30 – 8 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
*anyone in attendance is entered to win a door prize*
Presented by Lynne Calloway
Join us to hear about the sibling experience from a generational perspective. Hear what researchers have to say, a personal perspective, and join a thoughtful conversation that will appeal to parents and siblings supporting someone with a I/DD regardless of age.
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