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X-WR-CALNAME:New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA)
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA)
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261006T100000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261006T110000
DTSTAMP:20260906T061522Z
CREATED:20260904T232606Z
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UID:18178-1791280800-1791284400@nzdsa.org.nz
SUMMARY:What your other children without Down syndrome are thinking
DESCRIPTION:What your other children without Down syndrome are thinking\nSibling Issues for Parents\nThrough a series of interactive exercises\, parents will explore what questions\, needs\, and concerns are often raised by children who have a brother or sister with Down syndrome. Parents will come away with practical answers to commonly raised questions. This presentation draws upon Brian Skotko and Sue Levine’s publication in American Journal of Medical Genetics and their new book\, Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters. This workshop is also available on YouTube and online for free. \nPresenters\nDr Brian Skotko\nEmma Campbell Endowed Chair on Down Syndrome\nDirector\, Down Syndrome Program\nMedical Geneticist\, Massachusetts General Hospital Associate Professor\, Harvard Medical School \nSusan Levine\nMA\, CSW\, is a co-founder and social worker at Family Resource Associates\, Inc.\, a private\, non-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities and their families in central New Jersey. \nBiographies\nDr Brian Skotko\nA Board-certified medical geneticist\, Dr Skotko is the Emma Campbell Endowed Chair on Down Syndrome at Massachusetts General Hospital. As the Director of the hospital’s Down Syndrome Program\, he has dedicated his professional energies toward children with cognitive and development disabilities. He co-authored the national award-winning books\, Common Threads: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome and Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters. He is a graduate of Duke University\, Harvard Medical School\, and Harvard Kennedy School\, and he is currently an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr Skotko is a leader on clinical and translational research about Down syndrome. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal\, The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, The L.A. Times\, NPR’s “On Point\,” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Dr Skotko has a sister with Down syndrome and serves on the Honorary Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. \nSusan Levine\nSusan earned a BA degree in psychology from Bucknell University and an MA degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut. Susan has spent her entire professional career working with children with disabilities and their families. She has conducted support programs for parents and siblings of children with differing abilities for the past 30 years. Among those programs\, Susan has coordinated support groups specifically for parents of children with Down syndrome. She has presented on the needs of siblings at national and regional conferences on Down syndrome\, spina bifida\, and Rett syndrome\, as well as for New Jersey school system parent groups. Additionally\, she has written quarterly newsletters for brothers and sisters (For Siblings Only\, for children aged 4-9\, and Sibling Forum\, for children aged 10 through teen) which are available on the web at the agency website www.frainc.org.\nShe also co-authored the book\, Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters. \nTheme: Siblings\nAudience: Parents. Professionals and whānau are welcome.
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/what-your-other-children-without-down-syndrome-are-thinking/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-yoiur-other-children.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261006T193000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261006T203000
DTSTAMP:20260906T061641Z
CREATED:20260904T232956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260906T061641Z
UID:18182-1791315000-1791318600@nzdsa.org.nz
SUMMARY:Together\, Not Alone: Supporting Relationships\, Connection and Belonging for People with Down Syndrome
DESCRIPTION:Together\, Not Alone: Supporting Relationships\, Connection and Belonging for People with Down Syndrome\nLoneliness is more than being alone—it is often the result of barriers to belonging\, connection and meaningful relationships. In this session\, Claire Ryan from To Be Frank will explore how families\, whānau and professionals can support people with Down syndrome to build healthy relationships\, develop self-advocacy skills\, understand boundaries\, and make informed choices about their lives. Drawing on practical experience in disability\, sexuality and relationship education\, this presentation will provide accessible strategies\, resources and conversation starters that help create opportunities for connection\, reduce social isolation\, and uphold the rights of people with Down syndrome to participate fully in their communities. Attendees will leave with greater confidence to support relationship wellbeing in ways that are respectful\, rights-based and person-centred. \nPresenter\nClaire Ryan\nFounder To Be Frank \nBiography\nClaire (Ōtākau/Otago) believes that the prevention and elimination of violence\, abuse and neglect experienced by disabled people are paramount – and she’s committed to this kaupapa.\nWith a near 40-year career working in disability\, Claire brings passion and drive\, especially in relation to human rights. She’s creative and motivational\, thriving on the energy of like-minded people.\nClaire’s working life has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries. She’s a firm believer in everyone’s right to live fully in their skin\, without negativity or discrimination. Claire believes in the mahi of VisAble to ensure the protection of everyone’s rights to citizenship and self-determination. \nTheme: Relationships\nAudience: Parents\, whānau and professionals \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/together-not-alone-supporting-relationships-connection-and-belonging-for-people-with-down-syndrome/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/together-not-alone.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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