Thank you to all our sponsors, supporters and volunteers
for helping us navigate this past year!
ADSA is looking forward to 2021 and continuing support for our
Arkansas Down Syndrome families!
Happy New Year!
|
|
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain." Vivian Greene
We've all learned some new dances--and updated some old ones--this past year. When "routine life" changed with the COVID 19 Pandemic, Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ADSA), had to pivot and reimagine the "routine" of our programs and events, to better serve our Arkansas families with Down syndrome. Take a look at what we came up with!
Highlights of our FREE Events and Programs in 2020:
The first ever Adult Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines were published! ADSA's Board of Directors member, Dr. James Hunt, served on the Global Down Syndrome Foundation work groups that authored the guidelines!
Throughout the year we kept the most up to date information not only on Down syndrome but also COVID 19 easily accessible on our website and our FB page. Sign up on our website to receive current DS news and event updates! Follow us on Facebook!
COVID 19 brought with it the need for everyone to wear a protective face covering, which is difficult for many of our friends with Down syndrome, (DS). Through a very generous donation from friends at Briggs Equipment, ADSA delivered over 150 Sensory Friendly Masks to people of all ages with Down syndrome across the state of Arkansas-- simply by filling out a request on our website. These awesome masks were designed by an Occupational Therapist in Rhode Island and are made in America! Visit our website to request a mask! ardownsyndrome.org
|
|
Book Program! (More Books Added in 2020!)
Arkansas DS families can get a free copy of these books simply by registering for them on our website.
- “Babies with Down Syndrome, A New Parents Guide”-covers birth to age 5
- "Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome"
- "Diagnosis to Delivery: A Pregnant Mother's Guide to Down Syndrome"
- "Welcoming a Newborn with Down Syndrome: A New Parent's Guide to the First Month"
Hospital Visa Gift Cards, ACH Little Rock (LR)
Whenever a child with DS is admitted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in LR, the family can apply on our website to receive a $25 visa gift card (limit 4 per family per admission) to help with miscellaneous needs.
|
|
In February we hosted some of our last get-togethers for 2020:
Mom's Night Out provides free dinner out for our moms to connect with others across all stages of life and experiences. A short educational presentation is given; goody bags handed out to all and a drawing for door prizes! Dinners are rotated around the central AR area and provide moms a night out to network!
Dinner Club provides a free dinner out for parents and caregivers to share stories and network! A short educational presentation is given; ADSA updates discussed; goody bags handed out to all and a drawing for door prizes! Several parents took home free books and printed information on DS.
Club Connect a social night out for teens and young adults with DS! ADSA provided the pizza and everyone played bingo with lots of prizes handed out! These nights allow our teens and young adults a chance to get out, share a meal and enjoy each others company!
|
|
DSAIA Leadership Conference was attended by some of our board members in February--to stay engaged at a national level and up to date on Down syndrome. Ongoing leadership education and seminars were held throughout the year in monthly national leadership zoom meetings.
Spreading DS Awareness at UCA! Our board members try to visit primary, secondary and post secondary schools to speak about Down syndrome. This year we only made it to one school before COVID!
|
|
 |
Enjoyed visiting with Michelle Sie Whitten, President and CEO of Global Down Syndrome Foundation at DSAIA Leadership Conference! |
|
|
|
Speaking to UCA Occupational Therapy students about Down syndrome! |
|
|
|
In March (again just before COVID undid everyone's 2020 plans), we held our Free Spring Family Conference in Conway with Community Connections--and provided free child care. This year's conference was on Transitions and included several Arkansas organizations serving vocational, educational, and residential needs for our population.
In May and June we sponsored registration fees for 20 ADSA Families to attend the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), 2020 National Convention from your Couch. This annual convention provides up to date pertinent information and resources specific to Down syndrome.
In July we started ADSA's FREE, Days of Summer "Camp out of the Box" for children with DS and their siblings. After months of families home schooling and quarantining, our goal was to provide caregivers "help" with fun activities (and materials) already put together! Boxes had 4 days of themed educational activities with supplies included! Each week boxes were sent to 50 families serving 75 children!
|
|
|
|
Materials and Supplies
for one week of camp!
|
|
Learning about Greece and making Olympic Torches! |
|
In September we started our Touch Base Tuesday Zooms! One Tuesday a month, caregivers from around the state meet and discuss what's going on in their lives, hear ADSA and COVID updates, and commune with other caregivers.
In October we kicked off Down Syndrome Awareness Month, by lighting the downtown Little Rock bridges blue and yellow! ADSA also gave away 100 FREE DS Awareness Yard Signs to families around the state--to proudly display in their yards! We also sent out FREE DS Awareness Bookmarks and Glow in the Dark Wristbands around the state for parents and teachers to share with their schools and churches.
|
|
Touch Base Tuesday Zooms with
Moms and Dads
|
|
Downtown Little Rock bridge lighting! |
|
|
In November we held our Free Fall Family Webinar in conjunction with our friends at Community Connections. This year the webinar focused on Behavior, and featured National Speaker Stacy Taylor, MA, B.C.B.A., President of Advance Behavior & Learning and Advance Learning Academy, in Florida. Advance Learning & Behavior also offered a Virtual Behavior Clinic to caregivers at $100 per hour session-- ADSA sponsored 10 scholarships for Arkansas DS families to participate in the clinic.
|
|
In December, since a lot of our families were staying home and unable to safely visit Santa, ADSA offered 2 Interactive Santa Zoom meetings! DS families around the state enjoyed Santa reading a story and then talking to each child/young adult (and siblings too) about their Christmas wishes!
Sprinkles the Elf visited via Interactive Zoom and took us on a fun tour of the North Pole! DS families around the state enjoyed Sprinkles reading a story; singing with them and talking to each child/young adult (siblings too)!
Over the Winter Break, Snow Queen Elsa visited via Interactive Zoom and read a story, sang with the kids and then spent time talking to each child/young adult (siblings too)!
Super Girl also visited via Interactive Zoom and read a story, did some Super Hero training and talked with everyone!
FREE Winter Break Activity Boxes were also offered to AR DS families in an effort to "help" caregivers with winter break boredom. We sent boxes out with 4 days of themed activities (materials included) to 50 families!
|
|
Zooming with Sprinkles the Elf! |
|
ADSA’s mission is to empower people with Down syndrome—and their families—by promoting community education, evidence-based healthcare, and social opportunities across lifespans. To that end, we provide ongoing annual activities, special events and community programs.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all your donations are tax deductible and stay here in Arkansas! Your support allows us to continue producing most of our educational and social events at no-cost or reduced-cost to Arkansas families—as well as provide important free community programs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
