As a wonderful resource, we will be offering a recorded version of some of our Speaker Series programs. See below for current offerings.
Speaker Series Playback
Just Right Advocacy: Getting Past No and Getting to the Yes - Thursday, May 6 at 7pm
Alyson Stover is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy the University of Pittsburgh and obtained her juris doctorate in law with a post-graduate certificate in health law from the University of Pittsburgh. Her areas of practice expertise include pediatrics, trauma-informed occupational therapy and holistic approaches to substance use disorder. Dr. Stover is AOTA Board Certified in Pediatrics, and has spent her entire career focusing on increasing the health and wellness and experience of children with special health care needs and their families. She owns a private outpatient pediatric practice north of Pittsburgh and co-founded a non-profit organization that uses occupation to address community, societal and population needs.
As a pediatric occupational therapist and a health law advocate, Alyson is interested in sharing my knowledge and experience how ways to advocate for children and their families across environments. How do families learn what their rights are and how to families assert their rights in a meaningful way that supports the health and wellness of their child and the family. She would like to share ways that she has worked “past the no” to “get to the yes.” To listent to the playback, visit here.
Alyson Stover is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy the University of Pittsburgh and obtained her juris doctorate in law with a post-graduate certificate in health law from the University of Pittsburgh. Her areas of practice expertise include pediatrics, trauma-informed occupational therapy and holistic approaches to substance use disorder. Dr. Stover is AOTA Board Certified in Pediatrics, and has spent her entire career focusing on increasing the health and wellness and experience of children with special health care needs and their families. She owns a private outpatient pediatric practice north of Pittsburgh and co-founded a non-profit organization that uses occupation to address community, societal and population needs.
As a pediatric occupational therapist and a health law advocate, Alyson is interested in sharing my knowledge and experience how ways to advocate for children and their families across environments. How do families learn what their rights are and how to families assert their rights in a meaningful way that supports the health and wellness of their child and the family. She would like to share ways that she has worked “past the no” to “get to the yes.” To listent to the playback, visit here.
Join in the Conversation with Meeka Caldwell - Held on Thursday, April 22 at 7pm
Wife, mother, advocate and author are just a few of the titles that describe Meeka Caldwell. But becoming an advocate isn’t usually something that people set out to do. It’s driven by a deep passion and desire for change. As a new mother of a baby boy with Down syndrome, Meeka quickly noticed a deafening silence around the needs of Black and Brown people within the disability community. What started out as speaking up for her own child, has evolved into speaking out and becoming an advocate for the entire community. Join in the conversation as Meeka talks with our community about her latest book, A Friend Like Anian: The First Day of School and learn more about the importance of representation, inclusion and advocacy. Click here for the recorded session
Wife, mother, advocate and author are just a few of the titles that describe Meeka Caldwell. But becoming an advocate isn’t usually something that people set out to do. It’s driven by a deep passion and desire for change. As a new mother of a baby boy with Down syndrome, Meeka quickly noticed a deafening silence around the needs of Black and Brown people within the disability community. What started out as speaking up for her own child, has evolved into speaking out and becoming an advocate for the entire community. Join in the conversation as Meeka talks with our community about her latest book, A Friend Like Anian: The First Day of School and learn more about the importance of representation, inclusion and advocacy. Click here for the recorded session
How to Save for the Future with Special Needs Trust and ABLE Accounts - Held on Thursday, March 25 at 7pm
Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts enable a person with a disability to protect assets that are in their name, while continuing to be eligible for vital government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance. Attend this session to develop a basic understanding of how both special needs trusts and ABLE accounts can be used together or separately as part of a future plan for a person with a disability. Our speakers Maria Smith, Director of Education and Outreach and Patty Yerina, Coordinator of Education and Outreach are joining us from the Achieva Family Trust. Click here for the recorded session.
Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts enable a person with a disability to protect assets that are in their name, while continuing to be eligible for vital government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance. Attend this session to develop a basic understanding of how both special needs trusts and ABLE accounts can be used together or separately as part of a future plan for a person with a disability. Our speakers Maria Smith, Director of Education and Outreach and Patty Yerina, Coordinator of Education and Outreach are joining us from the Achieva Family Trust. Click here for the recorded session.
"After Party" with Mikayla Holmgren - Held on Sunday, March 21 at 5pm
Mikayla Holmgren is a model, speaker, and dancer who hasn't let Down syndrome stop her from Dreaming Big! She made history by becoming the first women with Ds to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant - which is also a first for the Miss USA pageant in any state. We were excited to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with us and for her to inspire others to dream big without limits! Click here for the recorded session.
Mikayla Holmgren is a model, speaker, and dancer who hasn't let Down syndrome stop her from Dreaming Big! She made history by becoming the first women with Ds to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant - which is also a first for the Miss USA pageant in any state. We were excited to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with us and for her to inspire others to dream big without limits! Click here for the recorded session.
Preparing for College - Yes, My Child Will Go! - Held on Monday, March 15 at 7pm
Are you planning for college? Achieva can help you child lay the foundation for success in higher education. We are pleased to offer guidance for students with disabilities around college planning, including how to pay for college, dual enrollment (high school and college), college-focused transition goals, assistance with the application process and so much more. Click here for a recorded session on this topic.
Are you planning for college? Achieva can help you child lay the foundation for success in higher education. We are pleased to offer guidance for students with disabilities around college planning, including how to pay for college, dual enrollment (high school and college), college-focused transition goals, assistance with the application process and so much more. Click here for a recorded session on this topic.
Positive Behavioral Interventions - Held on Wednesday, March 3 at 7pm
We have had many requests to offer this session again that was originally presented on 1/6/21. Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed pediatric psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be speaking on the topic "Positive Behavioral Interventions." She will also share strategies and interventions regarding challenging behaviors. Click here for the recorded session.
We have had many requests to offer this session again that was originally presented on 1/6/21. Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed pediatric psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be speaking on the topic "Positive Behavioral Interventions." She will also share strategies and interventions regarding challenging behaviors. Click here for the recorded session.
World Down Syndrome Day Toolkits - Held on Wednesday, February 24 at 7pm
As World Down Syndrome Day is coming up in March, DSAP wants to help you advocated for acceptance and inclusion at your child's school. In partnering with Common Ground Society, their mission is to educate and empower communities to be more compassionate, accepting, and inclusive of people with disabilities. Our speaker was Larkin O'Leary, who is the founder of CGS, educator, and fellow Mom in our Ds community. Because of it being a copyrighted program, please email us at info@dsapgh.org to request to view the recording.
As World Down Syndrome Day is coming up in March, DSAP wants to help you advocated for acceptance and inclusion at your child's school. In partnering with Common Ground Society, their mission is to educate and empower communities to be more compassionate, accepting, and inclusive of people with disabilities. Our speaker was Larkin O'Leary, who is the founder of CGS, educator, and fellow Mom in our Ds community. Because of it being a copyrighted program, please email us at info@dsapgh.org to request to view the recording.
Potty Training Strategies - Held on Wednesday, February 10 at 7pm
Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be presenting some potty training strategies. Dr. Santamaria works directly with the pediatric patients and has guided families through this process. In her talk, Dr. Santamaria will offer some specialized guidance needed for you and your child with Down syndrome to be successful. Click here for the recorded session. Also, the book she references is Potty Time for Kids with Down Syndrome.
Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be presenting some potty training strategies. Dr. Santamaria works directly with the pediatric patients and has guided families through this process. In her talk, Dr. Santamaria will offer some specialized guidance needed for you and your child with Down syndrome to be successful. Click here for the recorded session. Also, the book she references is Potty Time for Kids with Down Syndrome.
COVID19 + Down Syndrome Town Hall - Held on Tuesday, December 8 at 7PM
With many concerns related to COVID-19 and Down syndrome, we have asked our local experts to host a town hall with our community to educate and answer any burning questions. Dr. Kishore Vellody, Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA, Dr. Andrew Nowalk, Clinical Director in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Pediatrics at UPMC Children's Hospital, and Dr. Megan Freeman, Infectious Disease Pediatrician and regional COVID expert will host. The recorded audio has been published on the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA's podcast at this link.
With many concerns related to COVID-19 and Down syndrome, we have asked our local experts to host a town hall with our community to educate and answer any burning questions. Dr. Kishore Vellody, Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA, Dr. Andrew Nowalk, Clinical Director in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Pediatrics at UPMC Children's Hospital, and Dr. Megan Freeman, Infectious Disease Pediatrician and regional COVID expert will host. The recorded audio has been published on the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA's podcast at this link.
