Down Syndrome-autism Connection

**Context Profile for Down Syndrome-autism Connection**

1. **Organization Mission & Cause:**
   - The Down Syndrome-autism Connection is dedicated to supporting individuals who have both Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (DS-ASD), along with their families and caregivers. Their mission is to provide resources, education, and advocacy to improve the quality of life for those affected by DS-ASD. The organization emphasizes the unique challenges faced by this community and aims to foster understanding and inclusion.

2. **Type of Activities:**
   - The organization engages in various activities such as educational workshops, support groups, and advocacy initiatives. They focus on creating awareness about DS-ASD and providing practical resources for families and professionals. Community programs are designed to connect families with similar experiences and offer mutual support.

3. **Tone of Voice:**
   - The tone of the website is professional yet approachable. It is informative and supportive, aiming to inspire and empower families and caregivers. The language is clear and empathetic, reflecting a deep understanding of the challenges faced by their audience.

4. **Emoji Usage:**
   - The organization does not prominently use emojis in their website content. The focus is on delivering clear and professional information, which suggests a preference for straightforward communication without the use of emojis.

5. **Key Facts:**
   - **Founding Info:** As a new organization, specific founding details are not extensively highlighted, but the emphasis is on addressing the niche intersection of Down syndrome and autism.
   - **Scale:** The organization is relatively small, with limited forms and no email campaigns currently.
   - **Impact Metrics:** While specific impact metrics are not detailed, the organization’s focus is on providing valuable resources and support to a specialized community.
   - **Volunteer Info:** There is no explicit mention of volunteer opportunities on the website, indicating that the current focus might be on establishing foundational programs and resources.

6. **Writing Guidelines:**
   - **Clarity and Empathy:** Content should be written with clarity and a strong sense of empathy, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by the DS-ASD community.
   - **Informative and Supportive:** The writing should aim to inform and support, providing practical advice and resources.
   - **Professional yet Approachable:** Maintain a balance between professionalism and approachability to ensure that families feel welcomed and understood.
   - **Avoid Emoji Usage:** Given the absence of emojis on the website, it is advisable to avoid using them in communications to maintain consistency with the organization's established tone.

This context profile should guide AI assistants in generating content that aligns with the Down Syndrome-autism Connection's mission and communication style, ensuring it resonates with their audience effectively.

LXCL:includes recordings of both sessions

Both Sessions

LXCL:The Ins and Outs of Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Account Includes recording

1st Session

LXCL:IEPs and Advocacy: Helping Families Navigate the Special Education System Includes Recording

2nd Session

This virtual symposium are for families who have a loved one with Down syndrome &nbsp;and/or Down syndrome and Autism. &nbsp; Mary Anne Ehlert is a nationally recognized expert in special needs planning. As a Partner of Simplicity Group and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, a Simplicity Group commitment, she leads the organization in providing advocacy, education, and planning support to families with loved ones who have disabilities. She founded Protected Tomorrows more than 35 years ago after her family&rsquo;s personal journey with special needs planning for her sister Marcia&rsquo;s future revealed a lack of available resources. She has since dedicated her life to building those resources for others.&nbsp; Prior to founding the company, Mary Anne spent over two decades in corporate financial services. Today, she speaks at national conferences, hosts educational webinars, and leads virtual training programs for families and caregivers of people with special needs and disabilities. She has served on the boards of several disability-focused organizations, including the National Disability Institute, Special Olympics Illinois, a SEDOL Foundation and Gateway to Learning. She currently serves on the boards of the Special Olympics Illinois Foundation, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Integrative Touch, and the Tails for Life Advisory Board. Mary Anne resides in Barrington, Illinois with her life partner and her three pups. She is also a proud mother of three stepsons, one who lives independently and shares his life experiences with his peers with disabilities. In her presentation, The Ins and Outs of Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Account, Mary Anne will discuss Special Needs Trusts, the different types of trusts, and why they are necessary for special needs individuals. She &nbsp;will also be discussing the ABLE Act, which allows tax-free savings and investment accounts for individuals with disabilities and how they can be used for future care planning. &nbsp;In addition, she will share how these trusts and the ABLE Account work together. Melissa Chalme, M.S. Ed is a special education advocate and IEP coach with a Masters in Education degree from St. Joseph&#39;s University with 14 years of experience as a special education teacher. &nbsp;She was a former multiple disabilities teacher at both the high school and elementary grade levels. Melissa specializes in supporting families of students with complex learning and communication needs and brings both classroom and advocacy perspectives to her work. Through expert IEP coaching and personalized advocacy, every child is supported to receive the services, supports, and modifications needed at school. In her presentation, IEPs and Advocacy: Helping Families Navigate the Special Education System, Melissa will review the required components of an Individual Education Program (IEP) and discuss how to identify critical areas that are often overlooked, including communication, accommodations, and related services. &nbsp;Her presentation will provide practical guidance to help families better understand the EIP process and advocate for meaningful supports that promote student progress and access to education. &nbsp;

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our event and supporting our cause. Your registration greatly helps our mission. 🚀 Charlotte GrayExecutive Directordsasdinfo@gmail.com

This virtual symposium are for families who have a loved one with Down syndrome  and/or Down syndrome and Autism.   Mary Anne Ehlert is a nationally recognized expert in special needs planning. As a Partner of Simplicity Group and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, a Simplicity Group commitment, she leads the organization in providing advocacy, education, and planning support to families with loved ones who have disabilities. She founded Protected Tomorrows more than 35 years ago after her family’s personal journey with special needs planning for her sister Marcia’s future revealed a lack of available resources. She has since dedicated her life to building those resources for others.  Prior to founding the company, Mary Anne spent over two decades in corporate financial services. Today, she speaks at national conferences, hosts educational webinars, and leads virtual training programs for families and caregivers of people with special needs and disabilities. She has served on the boards of several disability-focused organizations, including the National Disability Institute, Special Olympics Illinois, a SEDOL Foundation and Gateway to Learning. She currently serves on the boards of the Special Olympics Illinois Foundation, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Integrative Touch, and the Tails for Life Advisory Board. Mary Anne resides in Barrington, Illinois with her life partner and her three pups. She is also a proud mother of three stepsons, one who lives independently and shares his life experiences with his peers with disabilities. In her presentation, The Ins and Outs of Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Account, Mary Anne will discuss Special Needs Trusts, the different types of trusts, and why they are necessary for special needs individuals. She  will also be discussing the ABLE Act, which allows tax-free savings and investment accounts for individuals with disabilities and how they can be used for future care planning.  In addition, she will share how these trusts and the ABLE Account work together. Melissa Chalme, M.S. Ed is a special education advocate and IEP coach with a Masters in Education degree from St. Joseph's University with 14 years of experience as a special education teacher.  She was a former multiple disabilities teacher at both the high school and elementary grade levels. Melissa specializes in supporting families of students with complex learning and communication needs and brings both classroom and advocacy perspectives to her work. Through expert IEP coaching and personalized advocacy, every child is supported to receive the services, supports, and modifications needed at school. In her presentation, IEPs and Advocacy: Helping Families Navigate the Special Education System, Melissa will review the required components of an Individual Education Program (IEP) and discuss how to identify critical areas that are often overlooked, including communication, accommodations, and related services.  Her presentation will provide practical guidance to help families better understand the EIP process and advocate for meaningful supports that promote student progress and access to education.

Down Syndrome-autism Connection

Virtual Down Syndrome Symposium

Both Sessions

$50

1st Session

$30

2nd Session

$30

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