Worcester, MA, November 13th, 2024, with the Massachusetts’ Down Syndrome Congress. Join general and special educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, support professionals, and parents from around the state for a full-day of presentations led by experts in the field of educating students with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
* The workshop program for this conference will highlight the goals, challenges and solutions to ongoing issues facing education professionals, as they work to provide meaningful inclusive educational opportunities for students with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, in all educational settings.
2024 Conference Breakout Session topics SEE BELOW – will include: current literacy research, behavioral regulation, curriculum modifications, evaluations for students with complex learning profiles, inclusive IEP goal writing, higher education opportunities, assistive technology, friendships and more.
To register or for more information visit https://mdsc.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=574 or call 781-221-0024.
Speakers & Topics:
- Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Teaching & Learning Department, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University – Equal Ground: Meaningful Collaboration to Support all Students
- Micaiah Elow – Micaiah Elow is a 15 year old student at the William Henderson School in Dorchester. He has been a member of Brookline Special Olympics since 2022. He continues to participate and raise money for the MDSC Buddy Walk as head of Micaiah’s Army and a member of 21 Shades Down Syndrome Support Group.
- Scaling Up the Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs Across the State. Presented by Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Westfield State University Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE); Mary Price, MAICEI State Director.
- Strategies for Developing an Inclusive IEP through Goal Writing, Accommodations, and the Disability Statement. Presented by Chuck Zucco, MSW, Special Education Case Manager and LEA, Tewksbury Memorial High School.
- Teaching Self-Regulation Skills to Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Presented by Patricia McDaid, Ed.D, Inclusive Education Consultant.
- The Meaningful Evaluation of Individuals with Unique and Complex Learning Profiles. Presented by Richard R. Reid, PhD, Licensed School Psychologist.
- Yes, They Can! Leveraging Best Practices for Literacy Instruction in Schools. Presented by Crista Yagjian, M.Ed., Lecturer at Vermont Higher Ed Collaborative and University of Vermont
- Building Bridges: Providing Access to General Education Curriculum for Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.Presented by Patricia McDaid, Ed.D, Inclusive Education Consultant.
- Friends Matter: Meaningful Collaboration for Inclusion and Belonging. Presented by Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Teaching & Learning Department, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University.
- Language and Literacy-Access and Opportunities. Presented by Caitlin Shanley, MS CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist Boston Public Schools.
- Unlocking Potential Through Assistive Technology. Presented by Iris Long Assistive Technology Regional Center Director; Shelby Cortis, MS OTR
