world DS conference and update

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I got back from the conference last Sunday and went immediately into a very busy week. Finally I have time to sit and write! I found it to be a great experience. Each morning had 4 scientific presentations having to do with brain research, memory or cognition etc. After lunch you could choose 2 sessions to attend, one from 1-2:30 and the other from 3-4:30. Each of these session had 4-6 presenters and there were a number of topics from which to choose. There were sessions on Education, Health, Sexuality, self-advocacy and others I don't remember. I went mostly to education ones, as well as a full afternoon "literacy symposium". It was great!!

I'll be writing up a summary to present to the ARC, who helped fund my trip. If anyone wants me to email that summary (in a month or so) let me know. In that I will summarize the notes I took at the various sessions and ideas given.

School starts for on the 7th. On the 6th, we have a "staffing meeting" with both her teachers (they job share), the OT ,PT, SLP and resource teacher. I'll taking samples of her handwriting from her summer work, as well as a few of the the level of books she's reading. I'll also take the book I bought "Taking Down Syndrome to school" and one I bought at the conference called "Effective Teaching Strategies for Successful inclusion" ("focus on DS"). Any other thoughts, from you parents who have been here before?

Nice to hear all the updates and where kids will be in the fall! Let's see first day of school pictures next!

Casey