15th Annual | In-Person and Virtual
Register Here
Event Details
| When: | Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Refreshments at 8:30 a.m for in-person attendees. |
|
| Where: | In Person – At the Wiley Conference Center Virtual/Zoom – Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96571088414?pwd=ap0oldXF3bhr2HObsMiuaoJDW9Sxo9.1 Passcode:416113 |
|
| About: | Learn about advances in research and clinical services and hear from a panel of experts—individuals with Down syndrome and family members. | |
| Flyer: | Click here to download a PDF of the flyer | |
| Registration: | Click here to register for the Down Syndrome Day with the Experts | |
| Hosts & Sponsor: | Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, GiGi’s Playhouse, and Friends of the Waisman Center | |
| Down Syndrome Resources: | Visit the Down Syndrome Hub page for information about Down syndrome-related activities at the Waisman Center |
Schedule & Program
| 8:30-9:00 am | Coffee and Connections If you are attending in person, please join us for Coffee & Connection prior to the start of the presentations. Representatives from the Waisman Center’s Down Syndrome Clinic and the Children’s Resource Center – South, along with DSAW and GiGI’s Playhouse will be available for conversation and to answer questions. Coffee and refreshments provided |
| 9:00-9:05 am | Welcome Maria Stanley, MD, Director, Waisman Center Clinics |
| 9:05-9:30 am |
Building Research Collaborations to Understand Co-Occurring Medical Conditions in Children and Adults with Down Syndrome
Maria Stanley, MD, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Director, Waisman Center Clinics This presentation discusses the common co-occurring medical conditions experienced across the lifespan by people with Down syndrome and highlights a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) long-term study to observe and track health data of people with Down syndrome from birth to adulthood. Researchers from the University-Madison are part of this global effort. |
|
9:30-10:00 am
|
Language Development in Young Children with Down Syndrome
Audra Sterling, PhD, Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders Many children with Down syndrome struggle with language development, which has implications for how children communicate with their families, peers, teachers, etc., as well as important skills like reading and overall academic achievement. However, research and clinical practice has focused a lot on weaknesses, and not necessarily the strengths within communication. We examine both in our studies and how parents and caregivers support language development. This talk will provide a brief update on our findings related to communication development, and how caregivers are supporting language development, alongside different methods for providing naturalistic assessments. |
|
10:00-10:30 am
|
Associations between Hearing and Cognition in Individuals with Down Syndrome
Ruth Litovsky, PhD, Oros Family Chair & Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology The ability to hear, understand speech, and localize important sounds in our environment is critical to socializing, learning and communicating in everyday situations. At the Waisman Center, a group of labs is now studying hearing abilities in young adults and in children with Down syndrome. This talk will share our recent findings on hearing loss and association with cognition. Our long-term goal is to work more closely with families and clinicians to promote assessment and treatment of hearing loss. |
|
10:30-11:30 am
|
PANEL DISCUSSION A panel of experts that includes individuals with Down syndrome and family members. |
EVERYONE WELCOME
