The First Five Wonderful Years
How to make therapy work for you and your family
With all that has been discovered about our children’s ability in recent years regarding early intervention and therapy for children with Down syndrome, we know there is a lot we can do to maximize the potential of our child. However, it can be a challenge to figure out how to fit it all in. Every family is unique and therapies should fit into the natural routines of the day for maximum benefit.
Join us as we look at some of the significant milestones in the first five years of development and review important medical information pertaining to some common causes that can influence development.
Professionals and parents will share concrete ideas of how to incorporate therapy into daily routines. Bring your questions and your own success stories and be a part of the Reciprocal Learning Community on November 7. Speakers include Heather Durham, MS, CCC-A, Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator, Pediatric Audiologist with Child Development and Rehabilitation Center at OHSU, Theodore Curtis, MD, Pediatric Ophthalmologist at Vancouver Eye Care, Parent Experts and Mary Williams, Occupational Therapist and Licensed Instructor in Yoga for the Special Child®.

There is no cost for this session and we always welcome new families!

• Saturday November 7, 2009
8:45 am until 1 pm
• Valley Community Presbyterian Church 8060 SW Brentwood Street
Portland, OR 97225 503-292-3537
• Therapist-run Childcare & Spanish Translation Available
• Morning Beverages & Snack
and Family Lunch Provided
• Additional Speakers, Family Story, Resource Table and NWDSA Updates
• Connect with other families and network

The topics of the RLC focus on children with Down syndrome, from birth to age 5. Please R.S.V.P. to Jen Brandse at (503) 645-0890 or jennabreeze@verizon.net before Wednesday, November 4. We need to know: how many adults are attending (and their names); how many children for childcare (and their names and ages); and your phone number. As always, childcare may fill up so please register early. Please let us know if you need Spanish Translation services. Para comunicarse en español, llame a Sheyla Hirshon al 503-239-1509.

Download flyer RLC flyer Nov 2009

Saturday, August 8, 2009
11am – 2pm
Old McDonalds Farm
1001 SE Evans Rd., Corbett, OR

Y’all are invited to the NWDSA annual wild west summer social. This year there will be more horses to ride em cowboy and new whoopin’ and a’hollerin activities. Whu doggie!

This is an all ages event sponsored by the Northwest Down Syndrome Association and funds from the recent James Bond Benefit held at Tony Starlight’s Supper Club. Yee Haw!

The buck stops here! Straight shooters please RSVP by 8/1/09 to Jamie Burch, 503.238.0522 or jburch@nwdsa.org.

Putting the Family back in the IFSP, and the Individual into the IEP

Each family is unique and has its own interests and dreams. This doesn’t change when the family includes a child with a disability. Explore your wishes for your child and your vision for your family, and then create a path with these ideas at the center. Draw from this to bring your voice to the process that happens at Individual Family Service Plan and Individual Education Program meetings.

Early Intervention and the services you receive are organized around reaching the goals set in your meetings. Learn how to be a clear communicator and good partner. Explore ideas on how to use goals and therapy to achieve more balance in your family. Create clear-cut tools that show your child’s strengths and your family’s vision for the future.

Parents – get comfortable being in the driver’s seat when writing goals to ensure that your child’s IFSP and IEP reflects your family and what you want for your child. Staff – learn how to help parents be more active in the process of goal writing. Both parents and staff can achieve more by working together and maximizing the power of partnership.

Please bring a photo of your family and your child for the make and take portion of the session.

Presenters include: Ruth Falco, PhD, PSU. Dave Andrews, SLP, Supervisor, MECP. Dolores McNee Disabilities Coordinator, Community Action Head Start. Joan Medlen, RD, LD, Director, Disability Compass and author of The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook.

There is no cost for this session and we always welcome new families!

• Saturday December 6, 2008 8:45 am until 1 pm
• Valley Community Presbyterian Church 8060 SW Brentwood Street, Portland, OR 97225 503-292-3537
• Therapist-run Childcare & Spanish Translation Available
• Morning Beverages & Snack and Family Lunch Provided
• Additional Speakers, Family Story, Resource Table and NWDSA Updates
• Connect with other families and network

Please R.S.V.P. to Jen Brandse at (503) 645-0890 or jennabreeze@verizon.net before Wednesday, December 3. We need to know: how many adults are attending (and their names); how many children for childcare (and their names and ages); and your phone number. As always, childcare may fill up so please register early. Please let us know if you need Spanish Translation services. Para comunicarse en español, llame a Maria O’Harra al 971-570-0942

Download PDF of flyer:
RLC flyer 12.06.08

Saturday, August 16, 2008
Old McDonald’s Farm
1001 SE Evans Rd., Corbett, Oregon
11am – 2pm

This is an all ages event sponsored by the Northwest Down Syndrome Association. Please RSVP by Aug 12, 2008 to Jamie Burch @ 503.238.0522 or jburch@nwdsa.org
*Please wear closed toe shoes and pants for horseback riding.

Download the flyer (PDF)

It’s the annual NWDSA Winter Social, sure to be loads of fun with a bunch of activities for those little kiddos to burn off some energy (husbands too)! Feel free to download the flyer and pass it along! Hope to see you there! 

Download the flyer! 

More info: NWDSA Summer Social Flyer.doc