Global Down Syndrome Foundation Launches National Research & Medical Care Roundtable, Highlights 21 Pre-Eminent Experts in One "Phenomenal" Day

from The Global Down Syndrome Foundation:
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation held its inaugural national Research & Medical Care Roundtable on July 18, attracting top scientists and researchers focused on Down syndrome. The experts presented their work and answered questions for over 400 attendees, approximately 80 percent being self-advocates and family members, and 20 percent professionals.

The Global Roundtable was a full day of cutting-edge research and best-practices medical care organized into five parts: an NIH Keynote and four panels focused on Medical Care, Prenatal Testing, Basic Research, and Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's Disease. Each panel had five experts representing both research and medical care. Expert presenters included Dr. Fran Hickey, Dr. Peggy Kelley, Dennis McGuire, Ph.D., Dr. George Capone, Dr. Peter Bulova, Michelle Sie Whitten, Sue Joe, Dan Ketcherside, Dr. Kelly Lennon, Alberto Gutierrez, Ph.D., self-advocate and Global Ambassador DeOndra Dixon, Yvonne Maddox, Ph.D., Roger Reeves, Ph.D., Katheleen Gardiner, Ph.D., Dr. William Mobley, Ph.D., John Crispino, Ph.D., Tom Blumenthal, Ph.D., Dr. Ira Lott, Jorge Busciglio, Ph.D., Dean Hartley, Ph.D., and Huntington Potter, Ph.D.

"The Global Roundtable was -- in a word -- phenomenal," said Cyndi Johnson of Down Syndrome Family Connection in Bloomington, Ind. "I came as the sole representative of a small Down syndrome group with hopes to gather information to take back and share with other families. While that certainly happened, what really caught me by surprise was that I gained information that gave me a plan of action for some of the chronic medical concerns my own daughter is facing. I have a renewed sense of purpose with my daughter's physical and mental health at the center. The panelists were a wealth of knowledge combined with experience, wisdom and care that was positively energizing."

NDSC Convention Schedule Sunday, July 21, 2013

This is a summary of events for Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the NDSC Annual Convention in Denver, CO.

8:00AM - 1:00PM Exhibits Open

7:30AM - 12:30PM Kids' Camp Session 5

8:00AM - 12:15PM Youth & Adult Talent Show Extravaganza

8:00AM - 1:15PM Brothers & Sisters Off-Site Trip

8:30AM - 10:00AM Workshops

8:30AM - 12:00PM Film Festival

10:30AM - 12:00PM Workshops

12:30PM - 1:00PM Grand Finale

2:05PM Colorado Rockies Baseball Game

NDSC Convention Agenda Summary
NDSC Convention Home Page

NDSC Convention Schedule, Saturday, July 20, 2013

This is a summary of events for Saturday, July 20, 2013 at the NDSC Annual Convention in Denver, CO.

7:30AM - 3:00PM Registration Open

8:00AM - 6:00PM Exhibits Open

7:30AM - 12:30PM Kids' Camp Session 3

8:00AM - 5:15PM Youth & Adult Conference (lunch break 12:00PM - 1:30PM)

8:00AM - 5:15PM Brothers & Sisters Conference (lunch included)

8:30AM - 10:00AM Workshops

10:30AM - 12:00PM Workshops

12:00PM - 1:30PM Lunch on your own

12:15M - 5:00PM Film Festival

1:15PM - 5:15PM Kids' Camp Session 4

1:30PM - 3:00PM General Session

3:30PM - 5:00PM Workshops

5:30PM - 6:00PM NDSC Membership Meeting

6:30PM - 7:00PM Reception and Cash Bar

7:00PM - 9:00PM Banquet (by ticket only)

9:00PM - 11:00PM Dance

NDSC Convention Agenda Summary
NDSC Convention Home Page

NDSC Convention Schedule Friday, July 19, 2013

This is a summary of events for Friday, July 19, 2013 at the NDSC Annual Convention in Denver, CO.

7:00AM - 7:00PM Registration Open

7:30AM - 12:30PM Kids' Camp Session 1

8:00AM - 12:30PM Pre-Conferences

9:00AM - 12:00PM Friendship Club Open House

12:00PM - 8:00PM Exhibits Open

1:00PM - 2:30PM Friendship Club Open House

1:30PM - 3:00PM Sharing Sessions

1:30PM - 5:00PM Film Festival

3:00PM - 8:00PM Kids' Camp Session 2

3:15PM - 5:15PM Youth & Adult Kick Off Party

3:15PM - 5:15PM Brothers & Sisters Get Acquainted

3:30PM - 5:00PM Sharing Sessions

6:30PM - 7:45PM Opening Session

8:00PM - 10:00PM Opening Reception and 3...2...1...Dance!

8:00PM - 10:00PM Adult Sibling Networking Reception

NDSC Convention Agenda Summary
NDSC Convention Home Page

GDSF Roundtable & NDSC Convention Schedule Thursday, July 18, 2013

This is a summary of events for Thursday, July 18, 2013 at the NDSC Annual Convention in Denver, CO featuring the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Research & Medical Care Roundtable.

7:00AM - 8:00AM Buses from Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center to Children’s Hospital Colorado (you must be registered)

8:00AM - 5:00PM Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GDSF) Research & Medical Care Roundtable at The Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado,13123 E 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, Rooms: Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale, and Oxford
8:00AM - 9:00AM Check-in, Continental Breakfast
9:00AM Welcome
9:15AM Medical Care Panel
10:50AM Break - Refreshments
11:05AM Prenatal Testing Update
12:00PM Lunch & Presentations - Boxed Lunches and Refreshments
1:00PM Basic Research Panel
2:35PM Break - Refreshments
2:50PM Down Syndrome-Alzheimer's Disease Panel
4:25PM Break
4:40PM Tour of the Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital CO; Buses back to Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center

6:00PM - 9:00PM NDSC Convention Registration Open
7:00PM - 8:30PM First Time NDSC Convention Attendee Orientation
7:00PM - 8:30PM NDSC Convention Diversity Networking Social

7:30PM Colbie Caillat, Paramount Theatre for Musical Performance - Note: Performance is by invitation only. Registered participants of the Global Research & Medical Roundtable are automatically provided a non-transferrable ticket. Performance location is two blocks from the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, therefore no transportation is provided

NDSC Convention Agenda Summary
NDSC Convention Home Page

National Down Syndrome Congress Secures Experts to Speak During National Convention

Leading medical professionals, researchers to share best practices and research findings during world's largest annual Down syndrome community gathering

press release from the NDSC:
The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), a leading provider of information, support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, today released the complete schedule of workshops and speakers for its upcoming Annual Convention, taking place July 19-22 in Washington, D.C. Considered the largest annual Down syndrome community gathering, the Annual Convention unites families, caregivers and individuals impacted by Down syndrome for a weekend of education and celebration.
The Convention will feature more than 70 breakout sessions and workshops throughout the weekend covering more than 50 topics. Each session will feature a leading Down syndrome researcher, medical professional or educational expert sharing key findings and "how to" strategies pertinent to the latest developments affecting the Down syndrome community in areas including education, pre-natal development and adult issues.

Featured sessions of the Convention schedule include:

• "Starting out with Language and Speech: Birth to Preschool" - Libby Kumin, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Author, Loyola University (Baltimore, MD)
• "A Plan for Educating All Kids" - Michael Remus, MS, Director of Student Support Services, Deer Valley Unified School District (Phoenix, AZ)
• "Promoting Health, Independence, Safety, & Community for Teens and Adults with DS" - Brian Chicoine, MD, Medical Director, Adult DS Center of Lutheran General Hospital (Park Ridge, IL)
• "Managing Behavior in Children with DS: How Understanding Leads to Intervention" - Mary Pipan, MD, Clinical Director, Trisomy 21 Program, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)

"As we celebrate our 40th Annual Convention and the achievements the Down syndrome community has enjoyed during that time, it's important that we also look ahead to what's next," said David Tolleson, executive director of the NDSC. "We are excited to welcome such an accomplished pool of speakers to this year's Convention, and look forward to their insights and strategies that will help improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families."
While pre-event registration for the Convention is closed, limited space is available on-site. The NDSC will be live streaming select sessions throughout the Convention weekend on its website for the first time in the event's history. For more information about the live streaming program, and to view a complete schedule of workshops and sessions available online, click here.
To view the complete list of speakers and sessions for the NDSC's Annual Convention, and to learn more about the event, visit http://convention.ndsccenter.org/.

About the National Down Syndrome Congress

Founded in 1973, the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is the oldest national organization supporting people with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals who work with them. The NDSC provides information, advocacy and support for all aspects of life, and works to create a national climate in which all people will recognize and embrace the value and dignity of people with Down syndrome. For more information about the NDSC, visit http://ndsccenter.org/.
Website: http://ndsccenter.org/

NDSC General Convention Overview 7/20-7/22

from the NDSC:

The General Convention is a three-day program designed for parents, other family members, caregivers and professionals.  It kicks off Friday afternoon at 3:30 pm with a series of Sharing Sessions for moms, dads, grandparents and siblings.  These popular sessions, facilitated by family members, are informal opportunities to meet your peers and share your joys, concerns and strategies with others. Some sessions are also topic specific.  Please consider attending these sessions without your child with DS to allow parents to express their feelings with comfort and ease.

Friday at 6:30 pm, the first of two Plenary Sessions will officially launch the weekend events. Plenary sessions feature inspirational keynote presentations by self advocates and Down syndrome experts from around the world who present on topics of broad interest.
The General Convention also consists of five workshop cycles, three cycles offered on Saturday and two on Sunday.  Each cycle offers a selection of 14 workshops that registrants may attend based on their interest.  These interactive workshops are provided by the experts – from those who pioneered in early childhood communication, to those who redefined the K-12 classroom and are on the frontier of adult challenges.  Each workshop is 90 minutes in length.  Some topics are repeated to give flexibility to attendees.  A complete list of workshops can be downloaded from this page, as well as a workshop planner to use as a tool to help organize your selections.

The convention will close on Sunday at 12:30pm with the Grand Finale where self advocates commence the Convention’s celebration of 40 years.

Another entertaining component of the General Convention is the Film Festival,  The Film Festival is organized by Gail Williamson, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, and provides an opportunity to view the best films, film clips and documentaries featuring individuals with Down syndrome.  All films are shown during the workshop cycles.

There is also an Exhibit Area for vendors where you’ll find the latest in books, toys, teaching aids, apparel, software and more.

At registration, all registered attendees will receive the official program guide, called the Souvenir Journal.  The Souvenir Journal will detail the entire convention’s schedule and much more.  Volunteers are available on-site to review the Souvenir Journal for first-time attendees.