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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261012T120000
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DTSTAMP:20260906T062734Z
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SUMMARY:Friendship Matters: Planning Opportunities for Connection\, Capability and Wellbeing
DESCRIPTION:Friendship Matters: Planning Opportunities for Connection\, Capability and Wellbeing\nFriendship is a key part of wellbeing\, belonging and a good life\, yet opportunities for friendship and social connection do not always happen naturally for people with Down syndrome.\nDrawing on my PhD Theory of Wellbeing\, in which friendship is a key domain\, and my subsequent capability work\, I will explore how we can intentionally plan and organise opportunities for friendship\, social participation and connection.\nI will consider how building social capability — getting along with others\, communicating\, participating\, making choices and developing independence — can support people with Down syndrome to build and sustain relationships across school\, work and community life.\nLinking with the 2026 World Down Syndrome Day theme\, Together Against Loneliness\, I will move beyond simply recognising loneliness to consider what we can practically do to create the opportunities\, environments and supports in which friendship can grow.\nWe cannot manufacture friendship\, but we can plan opportunities and build the capability that make friendship possible. \nPresenter\nDr Maree Kirk\nDirector of the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association and National Director of Supporting Teaching Practice for Students with Learning Disability and Down syndrome (STPDS) \n  \nBiography\nDr Maree Kirk is a wellbeing and capability consultant with extensive experience across health\, education\, disability\, and inclusive practice. She is the Director of the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association and National Director of Supporting Teaching Practice for Students with Learning Disability and Down syndrome (STPDS)\, a professional learning and development programme reaching more than 600 participants annually. Dr Kirk led the first Ministry of Education pilot projects for professional development focused on students with learning disability and Down syndrome and served as Contract Director of the Network of Expertise (NEX)\, the first national contract of its kind. Her PhD research developed the theory of wellbeing for children and young people with disability\, centred on three principles — acceptance\, recognition\, and supported independence — which underpins her Capability Model for inclusive education in Aotearoa New Zealand \nTheme: Education and Wellbeing\nAudience: Parents\, whānau and professionals \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/friendship-matters-planning-opportunities-for-connection-capability-and-wellbeing/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/friendship-matters-maree-kirk.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261012T193000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261012T203000
DTSTAMP:20260904T235145Z
CREATED:20260904T235145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T235145Z
UID:18214-1791833400-1791837000@nzdsa.org.nz
SUMMARY:Helping Children with Down Syndrome Sleep Better: Poor Sleep Isn’t “Just Part of It”
DESCRIPTION:Helping Children with Down Syndrome Sleep Better: Poor Sleep Isn’t “Just Part of It”\nSleep problems are often normalised in children with Down syndrome. Families may not seek help\, thinking this is “part” of having a child with Down syndrome or may be dismissed when presenting to health professionals. However\, sleep is one of the few modifiable factors that can contribute to improved outcomes for children with Down syndrome and their families. This talk will focus on the importance of seeking support for sleep challenges in children with Down syndrome\, highlighting the debilitating impact on both child and family from chronic sleep disruption and outlining an approach to management of both respiratory and non-respiratory sleep problems. \nPresenter\nAssociate Professor Jasneek Chawla is a Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist at Queensland Children’s Hospital\, Brisbane. She also leads the Kids Sleep Research Group at the Child Health Research Centre and is President of the Australasian Sleep Association \n\nBiography\nAssociate Professor Jasneek Chawla is an experienced physician and a clinician researcher with an interest in sleep in children with complex disability and in developing emerging paediatric sleep technologies. In 2025\, she was awarded the CHQ Research in Excellence Award and acknowledged for her research by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science\, voted as one of Queensland’s ten Young Tall Poppies. Jas is the president of the Australasian Sleep Association\, the national peak body for sleep professionals- she is the first paediatric specialist to undertake this role. Jas is also part of the UQ disability collaboratory leadership group and is a strong advocate for children with disability and chronic illness. She collaborates widely with many consumer representative organisations\, including a long-standing relationship with Down Syndrome Australia. She works alongside individuals with lived experience through her research\, directing and translating her findings into clinical practice. \nTheme: Health\nAudience: Parents\, professionals and whānau \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/helping-children-with-down-syndrome-sleep-better-poor-sleep-isnt-just-part-of-it/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/jasneek-chawla.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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