Conference & Workshop Archive

DSAWM hosts workshops and conferences throughout the year intended to educate on a variety of topics related to Down syndrome. Visit the DSAWM calendar for details on upcoming engagements. For information and handouts from past engagements, please visit the links below. Recordings of some of these engagements are also available our YouTube channel.

Early Stages

Toilet Training for Every Child

Alice Belgrade, M.S.Ed., LCPC, BCBA of The Potty People (A Division of Chicago Behavior Consultants, Inc.) provided a crowd of eager parents with the knowledge and skills they need to help their children navigate this critical step in their development.

Handouts

Prerequisites to Toilet Training
Basic Toileting Procedure
Six Stages of Toilet Training
Key Toilet Training Mistakes to Avoid
Stimulus Control: A System of Habit Training
Toilet Training Data Form

School Age

From Defiance to Compliance

Alice Belgrade, M.S.Ed., LCPC, BCBA, of Chicago Behavior Consultants presented a number of parents, educators, and childcare providers from across the state with information and strategies to help them better understand and deal with behavior issues in children who have Down syndrome.

Handouts

Brain Differences in People with Down Syndrome
Choice or Chore Plan
Chore Examples
Compliance Shaping
Differential Attention
Escape Blocking
Inhibition Shaping
Moments of Joy
Momentum for Compliance
Sneaky Compliance
Tips on Working with Children with Down Syndrome
Two Door Paradigm
Sibling Issues

Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, co-author of Fasten Your Seatbelts: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters, led a large number of parents, educators, and service providers through a series of interactive exercises that explored the questions, needs, and concerns commonly raised by siblings of children with special needs.

Handouts

Raising Your Other Children
La Ducación de los Otros Hijos
Don't We Already Do Inclusion?

Dr. Paula Kluth – consultant, author, advocate, special educator, scholar, and inclusion facilitator – shared with educators and parents how those concerned about inclusion can create change even when they are not in positions of power. The activities, examples, and illustrations in this workshop helped participants refine their vision and their skills when it comes to inclusion. The ideas are no or low cost, and many can be achieved by any number of stakeholders—including students and families.

Paula’s website
More Than Shared Classrooms

At the 2010 DSAWM Educator Conference, a number of educators from all over West Michigan learned about topics relevant to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the general education classroom from former Special Education Director for the State of Kansas, Michael Remus.

Handouts

Great Expectations
How to Write IEPs
Road to Inclusive Practices
Real Students/Real Solutions

Teen & Adult

Protect Young Eyes

Chris McKenna, national speaker and founder of Protect Young Eyes, led a seminar for parents and educators focused on how to better promote internet safety for young web users. Participants learned the problematic realities of digital engagement and strategies they could employ to keep children and teens safe online.

Handouts

Presentation Notes
Protect Young Eyes website

Conference & Workshop Archive

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