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SUMMARY:Brain Train: SMART Actions That Might Boost Cognition and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome
DESCRIPTION:Brain Train:\nSMART Actions That Might Boost Cognition and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome\nTwo of the most common\, yet challenging\, questions that Dr. Skotko is asked by caregivers: (1) How can you prevent Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome? (2) How might we boost their cognition? While exciting research is unfolding in laboratories across the world\, there are strategies that caregivers can take right now in respect to these two questions. In this presentation\, Dr. Skotko reveals his recommendations\, which must meet all of the following criteria: (a) supported\, in part\, by quality science\, (b) have practical applications for home\, (c) be adaptable to people with Down syndrome\, and (d) pose no risk to people with Down syndrome. This is not a presentation on how best to educate people with Down syndrome. This is not a presentation about supplements or nutraceuticals. Instead\, Dr. Skotko provides a set of actions that caregivers can take that might improve the long-term wellness for their loved one with Down syndrome. Attendees will come away with immediate steps that can be implemented in their homes. \nPresenter\nDr Brian Skotko\nA Board-certified medical geneticist\, Dr Skotko is the Emma Campbell Endowed Chair on Down Syndrome at Massachusetts General Hospital. Director of the hospital’s Down Syndrome Program. \nBiography\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. \nTheme: Health\nAudience: All welcome \n  \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/brain-train-smart-actions-that-might-boost-cognition-and-prevent-alzheimers-disease-in-people-with-down-syndrome-2/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/brian.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261020T193000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261020T203000
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UID:18251-1792524600-1792528200@nzdsa.org.nz
SUMMARY:Planet Puberty: Helping Your Young Person Navigate Puberty with Confidence
DESCRIPTION:Planet Puberty: Helping Your Young Person Navigate Puberty with Confidence\nThis session provides an introduction to Planet Puberty\, a practical resource designed to provide parents and carers with information and resources to support their young people in navigating puberty with confidence. \nTogether\, we will explore the foundational skills that help young people feel confident and stay safe\, including concepts such as consent and understanding public and private. We will explore ways to develop and build on these skills as your young person grows. \nThe session will also cover effective strategies and resources for supporting physical developments\, including menstruation\, hygiene\, and erections. It will equip parents and carers to have open\, age-appropriate conversations throughout the puberty journey. \nPresenter\nEmily McCarthy\nLeads Planet Puberty\nHealth Promotion Team Leader\nFamily Planning Australia \nBiography\nEmily McCarthy is the Health Promotion Team Leader at Family Planning NSW and leads the Planet Puberty team\, which develops accessible\, evidence-based resources for parents and carers of young people with autism and intellectual disability.\nWith a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning and more than nine years’ experience in education. \nEmily specialises in sexual and reproductive health and rights education. She has worked with international Ministries of Education to strengthen Comprehensive Sexuality Education curricula and is passionate about ensuring all young people have access to inclusive\, accessible\, and evidence-based health education. \nEmily likes ocean swimming\, playing board games (especially Mahjong)\, and vegetarian cooking. \nTheme: Health and Puberty\nAudience: Parents\, whānau and professionals
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/planet-puberty-helping-your-young-person-navigate-puberty-with-confidence/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/emily-mccarthy.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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