C.W. Post to Host Conference on Down Syndrome April 10-12
Events open to educators, parents, students and community members;
Nationally recognized speakers as well as local experts will be presenting

Brookville, N.Y. - What state-of-the-art strategies are being used to teach children with Down syndrome? How does the medical condition of a child with Down syndrome affect his/her development? What is the best way to support the sibling of a child with Down syndrome?

These topics and more will be on the agenda at the 5th Annual Conference on Best Practices in the Education of Children with Down Syndrome held on April 10 -12 in Hillwood Commons at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Co-sponsored by the School of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at C.W. Post and the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation, the event will feature workshops, seminars and presentations by experts in medicine, special education and sibling relationships to help parents, educators and professionals provide the best care for those individuals who have Down syndrome.

"Many things are changing for people with Down syndrome here on Long Island," said Kathleen Feeley, Ph.D., B.C.B.A., an assistant professor in the School of Education at C.W. Post. "Children with Down syndrome are being included in more aspects of school, recreational activities, and their communities. It's important for people to gain information regarding the latest intervention strategies."

Topics on the agenda include positive strategies to address challenging behavior, developing behaviorally-based programming for infants and toddlers with Down syndrome, inclusion for school-age and preschool children and medical conditions that impact development and behavior. The keynote address, "The Politics of Special Education," will be delivered on Friday, April 11 by Arnold Dodge, Ph.D., chairman of the department of educational leadership at C.W. Post.

One of the seminar's highlights -- "An Evening with Karen Gaffney -- Overcoming Difficulties" -- features Karen Gaffney, a woman with Down syndrome who, despite many obstacles, earned an associates degree from Portland Community College, swam the English Channel as part of a relay team and now travels the country speaking about her life.

Breakout sessions held on Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 include school district panels, communication skills and discussions of strategies for academic skill instruction and sibling issues. Saturday, April 12 is a day geared not only for parents and professionals, but for individuals with Down syndrome and their siblings. Brian Skotko, Ph.D., an expert on developmental disabilities will be conducting the keynote address for parents and professionals, and will also be leading workshops for siblings and significant others. Individuals with Down syndrome will have a full day of crafts, literacy activities, and outdoor activities.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder, estimated at one per 800 to 1,000 births. It is caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. The characteristics of Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some children with Down syndrome need much medical attention, others lead very healthy and independent lives.

Registration fees vary from $35 for professionals for one Thursday workshop, to $85 for Saturday's all-day workshops. Attendance at the Karen Gaffney talk is free with registration at one other conference day. Discounts and group rates are available for parents and students. Financial assistance is available for a limited number of families. Certificates of attendance will be provided at the conference. The conference brochure can be downloaded at www.dsafonline.org.

Hillwood Commons is located on the C.W. Post Campus at 720 Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, New York. For more information call Jessica Resnick at (516) 299-2231 or e-mail: dsaf2@optonline.net

Posted: March 18, 2008