On May 4, we learned about the groundbreaking research that’s changing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome from a leading expert in the field. Dr. Melissa Parisi, Chief of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, shared the latest discoveries from the INCLUDE Project, which began in 2018. She discussed exciting new findings related to sleep apnea, regression treatments, and approaches for monitoring and potentially reducing the risk for adults with Down syndrome to develop Alzheimer’s disease. She also discussed the DS-Connect® registry, a valuable resource for families and one way that members of DSNMC can participate in research opportunities of interest to them.

Did you know that your loved one may be eligible for LISS funding? Ms. Andre Coates, Executive Director of Maryland Community Connections, joined us on April 27th to discuss the LISS application and eligibility process. LISS funding helps families receive support quickly without going through the entire DDA eligibility process. Families need to verify developmental disability as well as proof of Maryland residency. Services that LISS may cover include respite and child care, purchase of assistive devices, adaptive equipment, camp, and uninsured medical expenses. If you have been wondering what LISS funding is, if your loved one is eligible, or how to apply, you will benefit from this important presentation.

On April 24th, MCPS PEP Parent Educators joined DSNMC to discuss the transition from special education preschool programs to kindergarten. Presenters Sharon M. Hedgepeth, Katheryn A. Mathes, and Anne Marie Tagliaferri share about available kindergarten options for students with I/DD and other developmental delays. Parents of children involved with the Infants and Toddlers Program may find this information especially helpful.

In this parent discussion panel co-hosted by Potomac Community Resources and DSNMC, learn about families' experiences with DDA Self-Directed Services, public and private support used for their loved ones, challenges families have faced with the DDA system, strategies used to support their loved ones, and networking with other parents.

Ashley Lon, M.S., OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist and Denise Bryant, M.A., CCC-SLP, ATP, pediatric speech-language pathologist from The Treatment and Learning Centers (Rockville, MD) present on how occupational and speech-language therapy skills can both be addressed using play, self-care routines, sensorimotor activities, and social participation. Presenters review the sensorimotor and communication characteristics of children with Down syndrome and provide a framework for developing their skills, and provide examples of activities that can be successfully implemented in the home setting. This presentation is geared toward parents with children in preschool, elementary, middle and high school.

Let’s delve into the nuts and bolts of IEP goals and objectives and learn more about the importance of having a proactive approach to collecting data at home. Educational Advocate and former special educator Liz Capone offers tips on synthesizing information from classwork, collecting information from homework observations, and using information from your child’s preferences and out-of-school activities. Give your child credit for their unique gifts, and include that data in the IEP.

Kelly Nelson from Maryland ABLE provides a step-by-step overview of the Maryland ABLE enrollment process. This presentation is intended for those who are already familiar with the eligibility criteria, benefits and features of an ABLE account and are ready to enroll (See Kelly's overview of Maryland ABLE accounts at https://vimeo.com/786627844). The presentation includes sample enrollment screens and a Q&A.

Kelly Nelson from Maryland ABLE shares an overview of how ABLE accounts can help people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for the future without jeopardizing federal, state, and local benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. Families will learn about the eligibility criteria, enrollment process, features of a Maryland ABLE account and the account management process, tax-advantaged savings and investment options as well as how to use the ABLE account to pay for qualified disability-related expenses.

Presented by Onesta Dukes, DDA Southern MD Regional Director
Recording on YouTube

Presented by Onesta Dukes, DDA Southern MD Regional Director
Recording on YouTube

Presented by Tia Henry, Self-Directed Services Lead, Southern Maryland Regional Office, DDA
Recording on YouTube

Featuring three speakers from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH):
● Dr. Melissa A. Parisi, chief of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch
● Dr. Sujata Bardhan, Health Scientist Administrator and DS-Connect® Registry Coordinator
● Linda Garcia, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Project and DS-Connect® Registry

Presenter: Sara Beale, Clinical Child Life Specialist, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
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Presenters:
Marlo Lemon, The Parents' Place of MD, Director of Training
Audri Levering, The Parents' Place of MD, Parent Educator

Presenters:
Alisa Bell & Whitnee Liverpool-Cummins:
Both are MCPS Special Education Teachers, PreK Inclusion Coaches

Yonina Elfassi, Special Education Teacher, Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program
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Presenter: Ellen A. Callegary, Esq.

This Workshop Covered:
This presentation focused on legal and ethical considerations for health care decision making for vulnerable adults, including adults with cognitive impairments. Participants learned about the currently available alternatives to guardianship, such as advance health care directives, advance directives for mental health treatment, and surrogate decision making; when guardianship of the person, guardianship of the property, power of attorney, or other alternatives, are appropriate.

Presenter: Attorney Morris Klein

To see his full bio, visit his website: https://www.morrisklein.com/

To view the slides from this seminar, click on the link above.

This seminar was not recorded.
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Presenters: Nancy Lucas, MCPS PEP Coordinator and Amy Shorb, MCPS Instructional Specialist

Presenter: Bette Ann Mobley
Director of Maryland ABLE

This workshop covered:
• Overview of how ABLE accounts can help people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for the future without jeopardizing federal, state, and local benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.
• Families heard about tax-advantaged savings and investment options as well as how to use the ABLE account to pay for qualified disability-related expenses.
• Learn about the eligibility criteria, enrollment process, features of a Maryland ABLE account and the account management process.

A Presentation by Tia Marsili
Director of Trusts at The Arc of Northern Virginia

Mrs. Marsili walks us through the importance of planning for the future of our loved one with a disability, why trusts are important, describe different kinds of trusts, ABLE accounts, and other critical services and programs, and benefits that we should consider.

Presenter: Selene Almazon, Esq.

Presenter: Marsha Stepensky, M.S
Program Analyst, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs

During this workshop, we:
• Discussed misconceptions surrounding sexuality and the importance of comprehensive sexuality education
• Learned about human sexual development and developmental disabilities
• Gained knowledge about specific topics included in a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum
• Shared tips and resources to help you and your child