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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:20261013T120000
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DTSTAMP:20260904T235342Z
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UID:18217-1791892800-1791896400@nzdsa.org.nz
SUMMARY:Capacity\, Communication and Co-regulation
DESCRIPTION:Capacity\, Communication and Co-regulation\nThis interactive session explores behaviour as communication\, drawing on the principle that children do well when they can (Dr Ross Greene). Grounded in the conference theme of Together Against Loneliness\, we will discuss how reduced confidence in responding to expressions of distress can lead to families becoming more isolated and withdrawing from community connections.\nThe session will cover three key areas — Capacity\, Communication and Co-regulation — and will be relevant to both whānau and professionals supporting people with Down syndrome. We will explore how to recognise early signs of distress\, blocks that may arise from experience of overwhelm or communication differences\, and co-regulation as a foundational skill. We will also give a brief overview of Explore’s behaviour support services and how to access them. \nPresenters\nCarolyn Stobbs\nBehaviour Support\nExplore Hāpainga Ora \nJanieke de Graaf\nBehaviour Support / Registered Nurse\nExplore Hāpainga Ora \n\nBiographies\nCarolyn Stobbs has worked for Explore for just over two years\, and has a background working in disability through education and advocacy. In a previous role\, she worked with the Down Syndrome Association alongside the STRIVE Group. Carolyn is a strong advocate for people having a voice and genuine choice in their own lives and is particularly passionate about supported decision-making — ensuring people are well supported to make authentic choices about what matters to them. \n  \nJanieke de Graaf works in Behaviour Support at Explore Hāpainga Ora and has a background in holistic and integrative health\, nursing and nurse prescribing in general practice\, homeopathy\, and supervision. She is a mother of two neurodivergent children and is an ADHDer herself. Janieke particularly enjoys the detective work of understanding what drivers lie behind behavioural expressions\, and finding creative\, playful ways to work with them — supporting families to find what works for them to thrive. \n  \nTheme: Communication and Education\nAudience: Parents\, professionals and whānau \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/capacity-communication-and-co-regulation/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carolyn-stobbs.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261013T193000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261013T203000
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SUMMARY:Manage My Health – Down Syndrome Style
DESCRIPTION:Manage My Health – Down Syndrome Style\nEmpowering Families/Whānau Every Step of the Way.\nAn interactive online session for parents\, family members\, and advocates. This session will provide you with information about where to find health advice and support services for children and young people with Down Syndrome. \nPresenters:\n• Anna Tiatia Fa’atoese Latu\nProgram Director for the Doctor of Medicine program within the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine.\n• Heidi Meyer\nSpeech and Language Therapist\, Te Whatu Ora Hutt Valley\n• Merryn Robertson\nPaediatric Physiotherapist at Hope in Motion Paediatric Therapy (Private practice)\, with contracts to Habit Health (ACC rehab) and Te Whatu Ora (acute respiratory).\n• Rosemary Marks\nDevelopmental Paediatrician (Retired)\n• Sara Edwards\nPaediatric Physiotherapist at Habit Health \n\nBiographies\nKia ora. Ko Anna Tiatia Fa’atoese Latu toku ingoa (Kāi Tahu). I joined the University of Waikato in April 2024 and currently serve as the Program Director for the Doctor of Medicine program within the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine. Previously holding the role of Associate Dean Māori within the Division of Health\, I led the equity curriculum development for innovative clinical programs\, including the Master of Pharmacy Practice and Master of Midwifery Practice\, alongside dedicated interprofessional teams. My academic leadership and research are anchored in Hauora Māori\, workforce development\, and a deep-seated commitment to transforming health equity across Aotearoa New Zealand. \nHeidi is a Speech-Language Therapist working at the Child Development Service\, Hutt Valley. In this role\, she is part of a multidisciplinary team working with young people through the developmental assessment process. She also works with tamariki to support safe feeding\, eating\, and drinking skills. Heidi is especially interested in working collaboratively with whānau and other professionals to provide holistic support for tamariki and rangatahi. Having an older sibling with Down syndrome has given her a valuable personal perspective and strengthened her passion for advocacy. \nMerryn is an experienced physiotherapist working across health\, education\, and private practice to support the physical development of tamariki and rangatahi within their homes\, schools\, and clinic. She is dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential by integrating engaging fitness activities with evidence-based clinical care. As a passionate advocate for mobility\, Merryn focuses on optimizing movement and reducing pain to enhance the overall wellbeing of the children and whānau she serves. \nRosie trained in Paediatrics in Auckland\, and in the UK. Since 2020 She has led the Down Syndrome Clinical Guidance workstream working to provide accessible quality information for health professionals working with children and young people with Down Syndrome. The team has also had substantial input into the updating of the information for whānau on the Kidshealth website. \nSara Edwards is a Paediatric Physiotherapist at Habit Health in Dunedin with experience working with young people with Down syndrome. When the opportunity arose to assist with updating the Down Syndrome clinical guidelines\, she readily agreed to contribute her expertise. Sara is passionate about the value of physiotherapy for people with Down syndrome and is committed to empowering families and individuals to advocate for physiotherapy support. \nTheme: Health\nAudience: Parents\, professionals and whānau \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/manage-my-health-down-syndrome-style/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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