Down Syndrome & Complex Needs Support Group: May 11th, 2013, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Boston Children's Hospital, Waltham. Topic "Self-care and Relaxation". The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) May meeting's topic is "Self Care and Relaxation". Special Guest will be Derik Newton, a graduate of the Cortiva Institute, has studied Myofascial Therapy with David Vendetti, trained in Reiki with Shelley Devine, and is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Plus Dr. Davidson, a Registered Yoga Teacher, will lead chair yoga class and deep relaxation meditation appropriate for all expereince levels. Child care available. RSVP to cullen@mdsc.org or visit www.mdsc.org 

 Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.). Wednesday, February 20th, 2013, Woburn. Dr. Brian Skotko, chair of the MDSC's Medical & Scientific Advisory Council and is a Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. Fees include dinner. This event is also open to all spouses, parents, and loved ones), though space is limited. Fees apply. RSVP to dadsmass@yahoo.com or visit . http://www.dadsmass.org/node/353
 

 Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress’s New Parents Social: February 9th, 2013, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, MDSC office in Burlington. Parents, grandparents, babies and siblings may join MDSC staff and other new families for an informal get-together. Meet other families and learn more about MDSC and helpful resources. RSVP to Sarah Cullen, scullen@mdsc.org or by call 781- 221-0024 x206

Families of Children with Down Syndrome & Complex Needs: January 26th, 2013, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., MDSC, Burlington, MA. The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and the Boston Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program are offering a new support group for families. If your child with Down Syndrome needs medical technology and it is a challenge to balance their complex multiple medical issues, this group can help you learn how to support your needs, network with other families, and share resources. Meetings are quarterly and all family members are welcome. Parents will meet separately; kids/siblings will meet nearby. Volunteers are available for support during the meetings. For more information, RSVP to 781.221.0024, ext. 206 or scullen@mdsc.org or visit the Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program Page.

 SPEDWatch 978-433-5983.  Working to secure the educational rights of Massachusetts children with disabilities, ages 3-21.

 Parents Helping Parents/24-hour helpline 1-800-632-8188 www.parentshelpingparents.org

Respite Program Serving East to Central Massachusetts: House of Possibilities, in Easton, MA, currently serves families from over 35 communities. Offers fee-based respite on weekends, vacation weeks, and holidays. Serving most disabilities except for the medically fragile or severe behavioral challenged. Email p.kavolius@houseofpossibilities.org or call 508 205-0555.

 "Sib-Shop" in Sturbridge: May 14th & 28th, 2013, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., 2013, Seven Hills South Valley Family Support Center, Sturbridge. Sib-shop Certified Facilitator Brenda Waleski, of the Sibling Support Project will be the speaker.
 Brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns usually have a high level of responsibility thrown at them or feel like they are lacking in attention. South Valley Family Support Center Sib Shops offer a safe, nurturing, fun place for siblings, with discusssions, games, letter writing, community activities and field trips. Ages 6 and up. For more information, call 508.796.1850 or visit www.sevenhills.org

 Sibling Relationships: Growing Up with Autism & Related Disabilities in Our Family: May 23, 2013, 6:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m., Minute Man Arc for Human Services, Concord, MA. This free Parent and Guardian Training Workshop will have a panel of those who have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to have a sibling that is “different” in their lives.  Panel members are both female and male, ranging in age from teenagers to age 50, who will speak about their vast array of experiences. R.S.V.P. to MKlein@minutemanarc.org or 978-287-7900, or visit The Minute Man Arc's website. Please include your phone number when registering. If you are thinking about bringing your typical child, s/he should be a minimum of 14 years old and mature enough to handle candid dialogue.  

 No Sibling Left Behind: Supporting Siblings of People with Disabilities: February 27th, 2013,  7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m., Belmont. Cindy Haddad No Sibling Left Behind.  Discussion covers the sibling experience: what it's like for typical siblings to grow up with a brother/sister with a disability or learning difficulty from childhood into adulthood, common issues for sibs across the lifespan, and the need for future planning, current trends in sibling research, and the growing sibling movement. It concludes with a Q & A period. RSVP to info@familyyoga.us. Hosted by The Belmont Special Education Advisory Council. 

 No Siblings Left Behind -  February 5th, 2013, 7:00 p.m., Groton, MA. Dorothea Ianuzzi of the The Massachusetts Sibling Support Network is also a clinical social will address growing up with a brother or sister with a disability, regardless of whether the disability is mental or physical, seen or unseen, and how it can be a unique, challenging, and potentially rewarding experience. Topics include:
• The sibling experience
• Strategies to support siblings across the life span
• Research on the impact of disabilities on siblings, and
• The growing Sibling movement
For more information, visit the Groton-Dunstable Special Education Parent Advisory Council.

 Teen Siblings of Down Syndrome – Brothers and Sisters Support & Recreation Program: January 27th, 2013, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Malden. This Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress  program is for teen and pre-teens, ages 11 – 18, who are the sibling of a Down Syndrome family members. Meet for free bowling, pizza and connect with siblings.  RSVP to brothersister@mdsc.org or call 781-221-0024. For more information visit the MDSC's Brothers and Sisters Program.

Brockton Area Arc
Family to Family Support Center
Brockton,
508-583-8030, ext. 224.Arc
Family to Family Support Center
Brockton,
508-583-8030, ext. 224. North Shore Children's
Hospital Family Resource Center. 
http://nsmc.partners.org/
cmsLibrary/documents/
Sibshop2008-2009.pdf

 Wayside Youth & Family
Support Network, Marlborough,
http://waysidepp.org/SibClub.aspx
508-620-0010 x 308  ljd0428@aol.com

 The Foundation for Children
With Behavioral Challenges (FCBC),
Andover Youth Services and "Baskets"
plan to start a teen sibling support group
for ages 13 - 16, on Sundays, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, contact
Beth Edelstein Beth@fcbcsupport.org @

SibParent: Sponsored by the Sibling Support Project,
is a listserv where parents can discuss their
typically developing children.
 Visit www.siblingsupport.org or
groups.yahoo.com/group/SibParent/join www.aane.org,
 or contact Christine Studley,
781-619-1570, education@iccdpartners.org

 Sib Clubs/Kennedy Donovan Center
: For DDS eligible Families:
Contact the Family Support Program
Coordinator, Kennedy-Donovan Center,
Inc., Milford, MA 01757,
508-473-5700, maria_phillips@kdc.org