Special TimesNewsletter of the dowN syNdrome associatioN of miNNesota

Volume 29 No. 2 November/December 2014

A Not So Ordinary DayBy David Forney

Looking back, I don’t sup-pose there was anything different about Sunday, September 28th. After all we’d done it all before. At least 17 times. Get up before dawn. Fetch a card table out of the

basement and stuff it and a full cooler into the already packed way back of the SUV. Cruise across town on empty Interstates while pouring coffee down my throat in hopes of waking up be-fore we got to Como Park and joined a small army of other early risers un-loading trucks, setting up tents, installing sound sys-tems, setting out signs. That and doing a thousand and one other things we’d discussed, planned, arranged, rehearsed, scratched, re-discussed and then sort of over-planned for the better part of the past year. And then, just as it looked as if we were going to get everything done right on schedule, it’s all stop and watch, kind of in awe, as in comes the KSTP-TV news helicopter. You know, just another late September Sunday morning. Doing it all over again as we have since the late 1990s so that 7,000 of our dearest friends – folks with Down syndrome, their families and all of those who have helped and supported them – can celebrate all they’ve done and become. It was the 17th annual Down Syndrome Association of Minne-sota Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. An average, ordinary, not so unusual smashing success of a day packed with slides, face painting, bounce houses, temporary tat-toos, pony rides, live music, giant hamster balls, Irish flutes, food,

mounted police, volunteer sheriffs, marching bands . . . and a sleekly beautiful he-licopter that just magically came down out of the sky to punctuate our day. And, less we forget, 7,000 of the most terrific and wonderful people you’d

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Inside ThisIssue

managing Behavior in children with down syndrome 5

social sensitivity and down syndrome 6

taking excellent Photographs 7

Parent Groups 8

ever want to pal around with on a gorgeous late September day. Of course that was because KSTP’s weather-man Dave Dahl joined us once again as our ce-lebrity EMCEE. OK, so it was not so ordinary – it was, in fact one of the most extraordinary days. Ever! It was so because a small hard working committee composed of John Ginther, Chair, Karen Lehner, Lindsay Radford, Don Schwartz, Terri Yira, Jo Maniaci, Dan Hilson, Kathleen Forney and I worked all year to plan it all and make it happen. It was so because our wonderfully generous sponsors Stepped Up. They came and helped make it a fine day and they made significant donations to further the work of our Association for the next year.

It was so because your board supported all of us every step of the way and all of us were supported by the Association staff including Kate Pickford, Annie Hines, Marcy Rede and Catherine McDonnell-Forney. It was so because volunteers too numerous to detail joined us at early dawn to help us set up for the day and many were still with

Special Times 2 November/December 2014

Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota

Board of DirectorsJerry Cooper

Maggie EricksonLindsay Radford Foster

Kaye Koelker BaumgardnerJohn Kupris

Gretchen MillerDan O’ConnellDon Schwartz

Karen SwansonJake Walinski

Brandon Yerxa

Special TimesManaging Editor, Kathleen Forney

StaffKathleen Forney, Executive Director

Mary HauffAnnie Hines

Teisha MageeCatherine McDonnell-Forney

Kate PickfordMarcy Rede

Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota656 Transfer RoadSt. Paul, MN 55114

Phone: (651) 603-0720 or (800) 511-3696Fax: 651-603-0726

Website: www.dsamn.orgEmail: dsamn@dsamn.org

It is the mission of the Down Syndrome Association of

Minnesota to provide information, resources and

support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and their

communities

We’re back!

We deeply apologize for the break in Special Times issues. The working editor, Catherine McDonnell-Forney, was on maternity leave.

2014 Educator ConferenceNovember 12th, 2014

8:00 am – 3:30 pmMarriott West

9960 Wayzata BlvdMinneapolis, MN 55426

Registration fee $50 per personRegistration includes workshop fee, handouts, continental

breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.Certificate of attendance provided

Register online by visiting http://weblink.donorperfect.com/edconference

We welcome Jennifer Sommerness, EdS. an Independent Educational Consultant at Welcome Spoken Here to our 2014 Educator Conference. Jennifer is an educational consultant, author, teacher and advocate with a background in inclusive education, educational administration, teacher leadership and staff development. She works with teachers, administrators and families to create collaborative school cultures and engaging school experiences for all learners. Through her work she has co-au-thored several peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, curricula, and online class materials on collaboration, co-teaching, teacher leadership, inclusive educa-tion, staff development and reflective practices that improve schools. Her work involves creating working teams of parents and educators. Through meaningful professional development and purposeful attention to instructional leadership, she works on creating schools that have the capacity to support the diverse students that attend them, regardless of their disability, using innovative learning strategies for teachers as well as students.

She and her family recently moved to back to Minnesota from the Bay Area of Cali-fornia, where she continues to consult with many local school districts and families. She also maintains a working relationship with many school districts and families in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Mexico and New York.

Her professional mission is to promote inclusive education of people of all ages with diverse learning needs through development of supportive instructional design, and effective team collaboration. This promotes individuals to be successfully engaged, challenged and respected throughout their various learning and community settings and schools, increasing positive outcomes and independence throughout their lives.Learn more about Jennifer on her website: Jennifersommerness.com

2015 “Opening Hearts — Changing Minds” calendars are now available! We also accept photos year round for the following year’s calendar!

Visit www.dsamn.org/?p=2082 to order your calendar and to submit a photo for the 2016 calendar!

Special Times 3 November/December 2014

New MembersVicki Wangberg

Andrea MatzAshley & Jonathan McArdle

David & Bonnie PapePaul & Katherine NarogCarrie & Jeremy LoneyAngela Palmer-FisherAmy Al-GhanneyeinElliot & Susy Riggott

Mary & Cary MilliganAngela & Troy Mann

Quinn HannonKari Phillips

Jacki ScherbringRonda Marino

Kim & Brian GeratyAlmaz Rudissa

Renae PeterschickLisa, Tom, & Ashley Kimlinger

Kim JonesAlycia Gilb

Karen & Chad HakelAndie & Andrew Eggimann

Britney McGeeShelly & Joe Lichty

Carrie & Mike ConnerBarb Donnegan

Darren & Julie KramerAdam & Kristin Breiner et al

Marisa Arlt

Patron (1000+) Maria HarrisTim Haugen

Doug & Janet Heim Fund, EFCA FoundationKnights of Columbus Bloomington

Kraus Anderson ConstructionEli Lauermann Motorcycle & Classic Car Run

John MarinacMary Jo Peterson

Jan & Mary TangheJoseph Yahner

Benefactor (250+) Functional Kids

Jon & Mary GislasonGeorge HornerChris Kauffman

Knights of Columbus Apple ValleyKnights of Columbus Columbia Heights/Fridley

Knights of Columbus RamseyBarb & Jerry Kroyer

Mary & Mark MaherJames MayTodd Miller

Carol O’LearyMary Jo Peterson

Rose PirklThomas & Mollie Raih

Marc & Kristina Rodwogin Ken & Jeannie Saffert

Matthew & SarahVerdoornJoe Wetternach

Willis Whetstone

Welcome new parents!

We hope that you received our Down Comforter Packet when you learned about your baby’s diagnosis. We work diligently getting the word out to regional hospitals about this great resource for new families. We thank the healthcare workers who help get these packets to new families. In the packet is a card letting families know that they can contact us for our New Parent gifts. When we get a call or email from a new family (or with permission from another individual) we send out a gift box of goodies which includes two books: Gifts and Babies with Down Syndrome, the We Dream brochure, a receiving blanket, a teddy bear, and a current “Opening Hearts – Changing Minds” calendar.

In addition to the New Parent gifts, we have a quarterly break-fast for new parents and on baby’s first birthday we send out a little gift just for them. We also offer a complimentary first year of membership to all new families.

Do you know a new family who has not connected with us? Please have them contact us either by phone (651) 603-0720 or email dsamn@dsamn.org.

Continued on page 9

Brooke & Jake SandersLee & Kate LudwigChrista & Jim Schul

Ryan & Andrea WinklerMark & Tonya BeyerJosh & Heather HaroAshley & Jason Stohl

Becky & Jeremy PetersonKathy & Brent EllefsonBeth & Jason Marincel

Scott SenderKelly & Justin HodgesSusy & Micheal Fort

Ashley GilbLindsey & Peter Cullen

Brian & Beth KeillorKamela AdamsBrenda Hinton

Erin & Jakin StatzAmanda & Alex Moreno

Abbie & Tim FosterAisha & Alex Gese

Steve & Betsy CliffordJonathan & Nicole Caporale

Jenny & Mike Halterman

Opening Hearts — Changing Minds

Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota 2015 Calendar

Special Times 4 November/December 2014

Thank you to our GOLD Sponsors

Thank you to our SILVER Sponsors

Roseville VFW #7555/Carbone’s

Thank you to our BRONZE SponsorsThink Stucco

Kraus Anderson Construction Company

Associated Speech & Language Specialists

John P. Ginther AgencyAmerican Bank of the North

Team Dani Jorgensen - Elko, MNTrue Friends

Thank you to our In Kind Sponsors

Short Stop CateringMall of America

Embroidery and MoreCushman Motor Company

Twin Cities Siding ProfessionalsTwin Cities Music Therapy Services

us as we packed up late in the day. To all and more, a sincere and heartfelt THANKS! This could go on and on, but there really is no way to capture all of what is our Step Up for Down Syn-drome Walk in a newsletter article. You can get more of a feel by going to our website at DSAMN.org and looking at the Walk day photos, but to really get it, you’ll just have to join us next September when we do it all again.

We couldn’t have done it without you!Thank you!

To a great committee chaired by John Ginther! You each bring an expertise to the table that makes working on this committee a joy. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you!

To the many volunteers who arrived at the park early in the morning to help with set up tents, tables, chairs, who super-vised small ones in bounce houses, helped out at the pony rides, face painted many sweet faces, set up and distributed lunches, helped put together over 400 kits donated by Home Depot. We thank you.

To all our sponsors listed on the column to the left: Thank you for your generous support of our Association’s programs and

services. Some of you have been with us for years – we couldn’t have done it with-out you!

To all our families who donated, collected pledges. Each and every dollar raised

during the Step Up Walk stays here in Minnesota providing sup-port and resources to our member families. Whether you raised $5, $500 or $5,000 we are so very grateful for your continued support and your fundraising efforts on our behalf.

We’d like to give a shout out to the top five fundraising families: Tim and Ellen Kottke Stephanie and Joe Palewicz Tiffany and Brandon Yerxa Marie and Josh Cady Rochelle and Dan HIlson

To the over 7,000 families, friends, colleagues, classmates who joined us at the 17th Annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk..we thank you. The day was a success because of you!

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Special Times 5 November/December 2014

managing Behavior in children with down syn-drome: How Understanding Leads to Intervention: Development and Cognitive Processing (Part 2)

by Mary Pipan, MD, Clinical Director The Trisomy 21 Program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

“No!” “Stop it!” “I don’t know.” Arms folded, body and face turned away. Sitting on the floor, refusing to move. Fondly and frustratingly, this is often called “stop, flop and drop.” Psycholo-gists refer to this behavior as “oppositional,” or maybe even “defiant,” but those descriptions often didn’t fit with the smiling child I saw in front of me, eager to please and generally compli-ant. From the hundreds of children and young adults I have as-sessed, and from studies on development and cognition, I came to realize that these refusal behaviors needed to be interpreted differently in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). What they often really meant was: “I don’t understand” or “I’m frustrated” or “I need help.” And sometimes they meant: “Give me a min-ute, I’m not ready yet” or “I need to know what’s happening next.”

Effective behavior intervention requires an understanding of where the behavior is coming from, taking into account:

• the context,

• the person’s level of abilities,

• their temperament,

• their experiences and how they learn best.

Individuals with Down syndrome are just that, individuals, and thus what works for some, may not work for others. The broad areas that help explain many of the behavioral challenges facing caregivers of individuals with DS include sensory processing (discussed in the May/June 2013 issue of Special Times), devel-opment and cognitive processing (the focus of this article), and communication and social and emotional functioning, which will be discussed in a future segment.

As children’s brains develop, they become capable of more and more complex movement and thinking. This development occurs in predictable sequences across the first 25 years of life. The tim-ing of development varies widely among individuals with DS, and thus regular assessment of progress is necessary to help keep expectations reasonably challenging.

As parents and caregivers push a child to accomplish to the best of her ability, expecting outcomes beyond her capability will frustrate everyone, and may result in refusal behaviors. For example, if a child is just starting to draw lines and circles, expecting them to copy letters does not make developmental sense. Refusal behaviors will also occur if you underestimate the child’s capabilities. The child becomes bored and is ready to take on more challenging tasks.

Another common cause of refusal is when a child is capable of a new skill on his best day, but because the skill is still emerging and is not quite solid, he is easily sabotaged by stress, anxiety or anger. Similar to all of us, children with DS have different levels

of frustration tolerance. Some will happily fill out an entire math sheet, confidently writing numbers in the blank spaces. Others get to the first question they are unsure of, and put their head down, refusing to try anymore. For a child with a low frustration tolerance, tasks need to be approached carefully, starting with mastered tasks and then building momentum to try more chal-lenging tasks.

Cognitive processing refers to how we take in information, put it together with what we already know, and then think through a response. Cognitive processing in individuals with DS is often characterized by longer processing times, more difficulty in flex-ibly switching from one thought to another, limitations in the amount of information that can be kept in mind at once, and dif-ficulty with the organization of that information to make sense of the situation and then respond appropriately.

Some of us are visual learners, more effectively taking in infor-mation through what we see, while others need to read infor-mation, and others need to hear it. Individuals with DS tend to process visual information better than through language. Thus, we emphasize “talking in pictures” to help them process both simple information (what’s going to happen today), and more complicated problem-solving (what to do when a friend ignores you). Visual supports have also been used very effectively in children with autistic spectrum disorders, and often those same visually-based interventions can be used for individuals with Down syndrome.

Longer processing time requires that we wait longer for a response to what we’ve said or shown them. This is probably the most common situation where we see the “automatic no” response. Often, ignoring the refusal and waiting will work. “Pa-tience is a virtue” is the needed mantra. Pressing too early may result in higher stress and more shut-down.

We are all required to move our attention from one thing to another, literally thousands of times a day. For example, while reading this article, you may have glanced at the clock, then to the TV, then back to the article. For some, shifting from thought to thought, and activity to activity comes easily. For others, including many with DS, the shift is harder. This difficulty shifting may also result in “getting stuck” on certain things, and having difficulty moving on. Transitions between activities or thoughts require preparation, effort and time. This is probably the second most common cause of the “automatic no” response. This can often be eased by warnings that the transition is coming, with a countdown, or with a transition song. (Who doesn’t love Bar-ney’s clean up song?) Giving a child a heads-up as to what will be happening next can also be very useful, with a visual schedule or a social story.

We are also required to problem solve several times a day, quickly and efficiently. We take into consideration the pieces of information we deem relevant, usually from what we see and hear, keep that information in mind while we think about what we’ve experienced in the past, consider the consequences of what to do next, and finally respond, usually in the space of a minute or less.

It’s complicated! Individuals with DS may have difficulty paying attention to all the relevant information, focusing only on

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Special Times 6 November/December 2014

Continued from page 5one or two things. Their attention may need to be drawn to the relevant details. (Look at her face, is she smiling or frowning?) This will then influence how they relate that to their experience, in order to interpret the situation. Guiding them through the process of how to think through situations can help them with the interpretation. (She is unhappy, you’re right. What could have happened?) They then may have difficulty choosing an appropriate way to respond, and have trouble considering the consequences of their actions, before they act. (What do you think you could do: ask her if she’s OK, or if she needs help? Bring her something to eat?) Some individuals will struggle with answering open ended questions. It may be more effective to give them multiple choice answers from which to choose. The use of visuals to help understand, especially for these multiple step processes, can be very beneficial. Figuring out where an individual’s processing is breaking down takes detective work, but gaining this understanding will help problem-solve similar situations in the future. Also remember that problem solving gets even harder if stress or anxiety is present.

These differences in processing likely explain why so many individuals with DS thrive on predictable routines and structure. Indeed, they often impose their own routines and structure on the world around them, needing to control the physical struc-ture (doors need to be shut, tables need to be clear), what hap-pens next, or how activities must be done (I open the door and you walk through). We can optimize behavior and learning, and minimize stress, by structuring physical spaces appropriately, organizing activities in a predictable manner, and by building routines. Within these comfortable environments, we can more effectively teach flexibility and problem solving, thus averting future frustration behaviors.

social sensitivity and down syndromeBy Dennis McGuire, Ph.D.Published in the UPS for DownS Newsletter, April 2014

Despite whatever limitations people with Down syndrome may have in expressive language, they tend to have excellent recep-tive skills. We have heard time and again from families that their family member with DS seems to take in and remember everything they see in their immediate environment. One area of particular importance to people with DS is that they seem to be especially aware of and sensitive to their immediate social environment. Most are quite adept at reading social cues, espe-cially at picking up the feelings and emotions of others in their environment. Because of this, people with DS have a reputation for having excellent social skills. Many people, but not all, are friendly and social beings who relate well to others, are often empathic and responsive to the feelings and emotions of others and especially to significant others. Related to this is that many have been described by family and caregivers as wanting to please others. This may be due in part to a wish to promote a positive emotional climate and to reduce any negative emotions, but it may also be due to a genuine sense of affection and caring for others.

Having good social skills and social sensitivity serves people with

Down syndrome in many positive ways in their lives. This may help them to make and maintain positive relationships in all key areas: with family at home, with friends in social and recreation settings, with students and teachers in school and educational settings, and with bosses and fellow employees in vocational settings.

Although social skills may be a great strength in persons with DS, there can be a major down side to this social sensitivity. We have found that people with DS may be too sensitive to nega-tive feelings and emotions. Understandably they may be quite sensitive to criticism directed at them, if only because this goes against a wish to please others. They may also be especially aware and sensitive to feelings and emotions such as sadness, fear or anxiety experienced or expressed by others. We have found they may be more aware and sensitive to these feelings in close family and friends but they may also be profoundly affected by these emotions experienced by anyone in their envi-ronment, even a stranger. It appears then that they may have a limited ability to block the affect of these feelings on themselves, no matter what the source. We have found, too, that people with DS may be even more sensitive to anger than to other emo-tions. Again, this is true whether or not this anger is directed at them or directed at or between others. Many parents have reported that sons and daughters may be upset even when they perceive anger, such as when others talk louder to each other.

We believe the reason for this sensitivity relates to their su-perior intuitive and empathic ability to pick up on feelings and emotions in others. They have such good receptors that they may pick up on these feelings even when they are not openly expressed by another person. (We have heard from many care-givers who comment that their family member with DS knows what they are feeling before they do). Unfortunately, whether these feelings are openly or not openly expressed, many persons with DS seem to have an inability to effectively and adaptively manage negative feelings once detected in others. They may be overwhelmed by these feelings because they cannot block or fend off the feelings like others can. This may be due in part to expressive language limitations, which make it more difficult to get help from others to process or vent off these feelings. It is possible too that because of their reliance on concrete forms of thought, they may have some difficulty understanding that the emotions of others are separate from their own.

In my experience, this inability to fend off negative emotions in their environments is one of the most underappreciated and yet significant causes of stress for people with DS. It is interesting to note that this is a source of stress, which may not be considered by others. Over the years, we have heard many people state “people with DS do not have stress”. While it is certainly true that they may not experience the type of pressure that many of us in the general population feel with making a living, paying a mortgage or rent etc., nevertheless we find that they are at even greater risk for stress, particularly from this issue. We have found that there is some variability so that some may be more sensitive than others, but still most people with DS have aheightened sensitivity to the emotions of others. In many cases the stress from being overly sensitive and exposed to strong

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Special Times 7 November/December 2014

negative emotions can be quite severe and debilitating, resulting in depression, anxiety and an increase in obsessions or compul-sions.

What to do about this sensitivity? First, it is important to recog-nize that this part of the persons basic constitutional make up. We cannot eliminate this sensitivity and we don’t want to. Again it does serve so many positive benefits in their relationships with others. Still we do need to help people to find ways to manage negative feelings because they will inevitably encounter negative emotions throughout the course of their lives and quite often these feelings can be quite intense.

We have had some success with giving people with DS a number of simple strategies to reduce the impact of the negative emo-tions. First, it may be possible to alert someone in the environ-ment who can help them with this problem. For example, a staff person, supervisor, or teacher may be able to help them manage the source or at least reduce the intensity of the nega-tive emotions. People may also be taught to leave or to distance themselves from a person or situation, which is too emotion-ally intense or stressful for them. Sometimes this is impossible because it involves a work or school situation that the person cannot leave. In these situations it may be possible to do some activity which allows them to focus away from the source of the stress. For example, it may be possible to divert attention toward some activity that is calming for the person, such as to copy letters or words or to listen to favorite music with ear-phones. Finally, for parents and significant others, the most import thing is to recognize that this occurs. Parents are quite often superb observers of sons and daughters with DS because they have had to be. If they note a change in mood or behavior, this may signify a number of possible causes, but we have found that emotional stress encountered in the environment is one of the most com-mon. If you can identify this as a cause, you may be the one to help to resolve this problem for your family member. This is particularly important because many people with DS cannot eas-ily communicate that this is occurring.

Having an awareness of this sensitivity may go a long way to reducing the effect negative feelings and emotions have on them, particularly as more and more people with DS are in the community and exposed to situations where they will inevitably encounter strong feelings and emotions in others. Once identi-fied, these issues can be better managed for the emotional well being of your family member with Down syndrome.

*Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome” Woodbine house press (2006) McGuire and Chicoine; and the “Guide to Good Health for Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome” Wood-bine House (2010).

Dr. McGuire is in private practice, working with individuals, groups and families. He may be reached at Consultdowns@gmail.com or 708-420-1822.

taking excellent PhotographsBy Barb Donnegan, Photographerwww.bdonneganphotos.com

Note from the editor: DSAM has been fortunate enough to have Barb Donnegan as the photographer at the annual Tee It Up for Down Syndrome golf event and 17th Annual Step Up Walk. We encourage you to check out her photos from these events on our website at www.dsamn.org.

Have you ever had someone, with a camera in hand, turn to you and say “smile”. In that awkward moment you think to yourself, “Should I show my teeth or close my mouth, try to act natural, don’t blink.” The final picture comes out with the deer in the headlights look. Does this sound like just about every picture you ever had taken when you were in school?

Imagine being the child that hates schedule changes, isn’t really crazy about the noisy school gym and, well, doesn’t even really like to look at something when asked but would rather check it out on his or her own terms. Picture day can be tough for every-one but especially for kids with special needs.

As a paraprofessional in a large school district for the last 15 years, I have seen picture day go south very quickly for some kids. Even when the child tries to cooperate, the photographer is doing their best to get a good photo of every child in the school. No small task!

My love of photography and these kids inspired me to start a small business that caters to families with special needs. I would like to share a few tips with you to help picture day at school and to help you get better photos at home:

If your child is part of a small classroom, ask if the school pho-tographer would consider going into the classroom rather than having the child go to the gym for the picture.

Lots of kids come to school in their “Sunday finest”. While that works for some, be sure your child is comfortable in what they are wearing and let their outfit reflect their personality.

If your school allows you to submit your own photo to the yearbook, consider having a professional come to the place your child is most comfortable and have the picture taken there. Then submit that one for the yearbook.

At home, take lots of pictures. In this digital age you can always delete the blurry eyes-closed photos, and you might get a few perfect shots in the process.

Don’t tell someone to smile, try to make them laugh. Gain their attention with toys and props that hold their interest.

Remember, having fun is the key to capturing any moment and making it a memory.

Special Times 8 November/December 2014

Parent GroupsAttend a Parent Group meeting near you to meet other parents of children with Down syndrome, share information and experiences, discuss common issues or concerns, and find support. Please note: Times and locations are subject to change. Please contact group facilitators for information. If you are interested in facilitating a parent group, please contact Mary at 651-603-0720 or mary@dsamn.org

Apple Valley – South of the River GroupThird Sunday, 5-7 pm, Monthly except no Jul. or Dec. meetingShepherd of the Valley Church12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple ValleySuzy Runkel (952)891-5082 or suzynelson@hotmail.comRuth Ann Lang ruthannlang@gmail.comRSVP requested. Childcare provided.In collaboration with Arc Greater Twin Cities

Bemidji and Surrounding CommunitiesMeeting Year Around – Summertime Social GatheringsPlease contact the group facilitator for specific meeting times and locations.Children are welcome.Sarah Reiners (218)368-6816 or sreiners77@gmail.comFacebook Group: Northern Minnesota Special Kids United

Buffalo Parent GroupQuarterly Family Social EventsContact Sheri or Penny for event dates and locationsSheri Jorgensen (763)682-7468 or (763)280-4477 or sheri.jorgensen@co.wright.mn.usPenny Kauffman (763)498-7173 or pckauffman@comcast.net

Chaska Parent Group2nd Thursday, 6:30-8 pm, Sept.-MaySt. John’s Lutheran Church300 4th Street E., Chaska, MN 55318Kara Parker (952)237-4654 or kara.parker321@gmail.comConnie Snow (612)207-4806 or family@gotsnow.orgRSVP requested. In collaboration with Arc Greater Twin Cities

Duluth – Down Up North Parent GroupPlease contact the group facilitator for specific meeting times and locations.Heather Krohn heather.n.krohn@gmail.comWebsite: DownUpNorth.com

Elk River Parent Group2nd TuesdaysCheck www.nwspark.com or contact facilitator for time and location detailsHeather Coudron (763)228-0721 or woodland132@yahoo.comRSVP requested. No Childcare provided.In collaboration with NW S.P.A.R.K.Website: www.nwspark.com and Facebook group: NW SPARK (Special Parents and Remarkable Kids) and NWSPARK Down Syndrome Parent Group

Grandparent Group – Twin Cities3rd Thursday, 9:00 – 11:00 amPerkins Family Restaurant4201 W 78th St, BloomingtonJerry Cooper (952)432-9769

Hastings Down Syndrome Connections4th Monday, 6-8 pm, Sept.-MayMcAuliffe Elementary School, Media Center/cafeteria/staff lounge1601 12th Street W., Hastings, MNJennifer Strode (763)291-5308 or saltandlighmn@hotmail.comKaiya Witt (612)670-5320 or kaiya.witt@comcast.netChildcare providedFacebook: Hastings Down Syndrome GroupIn collaboration with the Hastings School District and Arc Greater Twin Cities.

Maple Grove – 8 Years and Older3rd Tuesday, 6:30-8:15 pm, Sept.-MayMaple Grove Community Center12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove, MNLisa Bartsch (763)391-6634 or ljbartsch@aol.comChildcare provided.

Maple Grove – Birth to 8 Year olds3rd Tuesday, 6:30-8:15 pm, Sept.-MayMaple Grove Community Center12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove, MNTiffany Yerxa (612)867-2624 or tiffany.yerxa@gmail.comJill Kinney (612)978-7401 or jillkinney15@gmail.comChildcare providedFacebook: Maple Grove Parent Group, Down Syndrome Assoc of MN

Minnetonka Parent Group2nd Monday, 6:30-8:30 pm, Sept.-MayCross of Glory Baptist Church4600 Shady Oak Rd, Minnetonka, MNAnn Bremer (952)939-0350 or bremerann@hotmail.comMichele McLaughlin (612)599-2326 or mem910@me.comFacebook: Minnetonka Down Syndrome Parent GroupChildcare is provided.

Owatonna – South I-35 Parent GroupContact Group Facilitators for specific meeting times and locations.Amanda Gislason (507)469-9720 or amandagislason@gmail.comFacebook group: Owatonna Area Down Syndrome Support Group

Rochester – Southeast Minnesota Parent GroupQuarterly School Year Meetings, Sept.-JuneContact Group Facilitators for specific meeting times and location.Scott & Hiyas Quelle hiyasjewel74@yahoo.comKevin & Alexandra Morrissey childrenragift@yahoo.comFacebook group: Rochester Family Down Syndrome Network

St. Cloud Parent Connect – Inclusive of all special needs6:00-7:30 pm, Sept.-May Meets every other week. Contact facilitatorHope Covenant Church336 4th Ave. South, St. Cloud, MNCindy Owen (320)251-7272 or (877)251-7272 or cowen@arcmidstate.orgChildcare providedFacilitated and in collaboration with Arc Midstate

St. Paul3rd Tuesday, 6:00-7:30 pm, Sept.-MaySt. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church60 Kent St., St. Paul, MNLindsay Radford (651)247-0373 or lradford@kstp.comChildcare is provided. Please RSVP for all meetings

Southwest Minnesota Parent GroupMeeting Year AroundPlease contact the group facilitator for specific meeting times and locations.Kim Weidert (507)483-2814 or kimw@iw.netShelli DeGroot (507)443-5027 or lsdegroot@frontiernet.netFacebook Community: Designer Genes Down Syndrome Network

Stillwater Area Parent Networking Group2nd Monday, 6:15-8 pm. Sept-MayStillwater ECFE1111 Holcombe St.Stillwater, MN Mary Lynn Loegering (651)430-1870 or mary.loegering@gmail.comFacebook Group: Stillwater, MN Down Syndrome Family Support GroupRSVP requested. Childcare provided.

Special Times 9 November/December 2014

Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota Membership Application

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________

Name of person with DS: ___________________________________________________ Date of birth: _____________

Relationship to person with DS: _______________________________________________________________________

□ Do not include me in the Member Directory □ Please send me enewsletter only

Type of Membership:□ New □ Renewal □ Gift for: _______________□ Patron $1000+ □ Regular (ind. or family) $20□ Benefactor $250+ □ Alternative ($0-19) $ ____□ Contributor $100+ □ Additional donation $ ____

Mail a check with registration to: DSAM, 656 Transfer Road, St. Paul, MN 55114 orCharge $_____ to my credit card:Name on card: _______________________________Security Number: ______(3 digit code on the back of your card)

Exp. Date: ____ /____

Ashly WilliamsJoe Yahner

Contributor (100+)Gerald & Dorothy Alms

Roger AndersonMichelle ArnesonMarilyn Barnstorf

Lisa BartschLinda & Butch Bialick

Ellie & Dave BilderbackKit Brady

Janine & Bob BrostromPhil & Beth Claussen

Clinton & Christina ColeWayne Courtney

Gail DavisMark Dompierre

Mary DoyleSharon Doyle

John & Judith EgnewLinda Erdos

Georgiann & Joseph ErrigoDeborah Fox

Harijinder & Barbara GilJaron Gil-Roering

Jon GislasonDavid & Theresa Goetzke

Anne GrangerWilliam Hannon

Nicole Hansel-WelchMichelle Hosfield

Roger HowePatricia & Jeffrey Hyack

Debra, John & Julie JarzynskiCarol & Ed Johnson

Linda KeenanSteve & Anne Koehler

Shannon LewisMax Maher

Jessica & Matthew MarsolekMarc & Julie Mielke

Brian Monosmith

Jeanine NelsenErin Nygaard

James Pierret JrPatricia Nolte

Daniel O’ConnellTim & Debbie Plude

Lisa RiihiluomaJennifer Robinson

Alisa RussellKyle Salstrom

Bob Seng & Mary Beste SengHelen & Jim Schmidt

Donald SchwartzBob Siewert

Jared & Jessica SmasalJoseph Spitzmueller

Jan SuseeJack Thompson

Rachel Nelson & Will TottenSarah VerdoornJames WazlawikKim WhetstoneAshly Williams

Craig & Bonnie Wilts

In Memory of Donnie Bongard

Ethan Cole Jack Engelmeyer

Wendy FeuerhakeShirley FliesBetty GaineyElsey Kirab

Marcella LewisNellie Mai

Herman MillerNorb Miller

Fiona PalewiczJack Robinson

Norma Mae Weakley

We are deeply grateful for the very gen-erous donation made to the Down Syn-drome Association of Minnesota from the estate of Rose Mary Minnerath.

In Honor of Darlene Anderson

Tom CarlsonLinda CarrollCarter Cole

Ryan Patrick DeansAlice Fleischhacker

Liam FortJane Fromm

Darlene GeradsKyle Goergen FamilyMackenzie Haugen

DJ HayeAbby Heim

Kay & Tom Klinger’s 50th Wedding AnniversaryEmma Kroyer

Katie Lanner’s GraduationAl Malmon’s 85th Birthday

Owen MarksteinerAnthony David McLeod

Kate MielkeMatthias Murdych

Dylan NelsonJeremy Owens

The Craig Parker FamilyJustin, Brenden, Meghan & Erin Peterson

Janelle Plude Jeannie Saffert’s BirthdayPeter Schiltz’s Graduation

Phoebe Mack SchmollAndrew Tanghe

Kayla, Rhys, Tyler & Trygg TillisonLiam Williams

McKenna WohlersFelix Yahner

This newsletter reports items of interest relating to Down syndrome and will provide a forum for others. Special Times does not promote or recommend any therapy, treatment, educational setting, etc. We will not espouse any particular political or re-ligious view. Individuals or organizations referred to do not necessarily endorse this publication or its editor. We wish to bring together those interested in Down syndrome and attempt to create an optimistic outlook. The editor reserves the right to make corrections as appropriate and in accord with established editorial practice in material submitted for publication.

What’s new?Fans! Friends! Families!

We’ve launched discussion group! Please come join us!

This group is closed, which means that it’s not open to all of Facebook and requires approval from a moderator to join. While others can see who our members are, they cannot see your posts. So feel free to ask others for advice, assistance and feel good about sharing resources here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DSAMN/

Special TimesDown Syndrome Associationof Minnesota656 Transfer RoadSt. Paul, MN 55114(651) 603-0720 or (800) 511-3696dsamn@dsamn.orgwww.dsamn.org

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CalendarNovemberNovember 2 Pancake BreakfastNovember 7 Fall Wine EventNovember 12 Educator ConferenceNovember 12 Board of Directors Meeting

DecemberDecember TBA Holiday PartyDecember 10 Executive Committee Meeting