Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton -Winter Programs Support

Once again, the Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton is providing financial support to members in good standing (paid membership), to participate in one session (January to March/April 2015) for any of the following winter programs run by organizations within our community. DSAH will reimburse the cost of one paid session with proof of purchase/payment.

Have any questions? Already registered and want to send in copies of your receipt?

Please email programs@dsah.ca attention Alyson Kowalchyk.

NOTE: registration process for many of these programs has already began, you are responsible for signing up and making payments so you can attend classes starting on January 2015.

Programs eligible for funding by DSAH

Superhero Training Academy -Offered by McMaster University Athletics & Recreation

The Superhero Training Academy is a fitness program designed specifically for children, ages 5 to 16 years, with special needs. Participants must be ambulatory. The program focuses on improving fitness fundamentals, such as balance, flexibility, coordination and strength, while also promoting the development of social skills, such as listening to instructions and working co-operatively in groups. In order to achieve these goals, children receive the undivided attention of one or two dedicated McMaster student volunteers. Parents are welcome to stay and observe. For further details contact the program coordinators Harriet Law and Matt Berardocco at sta@mcmaster.ca.

You can register online by visiting: Superhero Training Academy

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SwimAbilities-Children-Offered by the City of Hamilton. Locations: Bennetto CC and Sir Winston Churchill RC

A Learn to Swim program for children (3-18) with special needs. The program is based on Hamilton’s Splash, Lifesaving Swimmer Program and Lifesaving Swim to Survive Program. Participants in this class must provide their own volunteer to be in the water with the participant. There are 3 levels: Beginner – Parent and Tot / Splash ABC; Intermediate – Splash A+B+C+ / Swimmer 1, 2; and Advanced – Swimmer 3 and higher. Participants in this class MUST provide their own volunteer to be present in the water with the swimmer.

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SwimAbilities-ADULTS – Offered by the City of Hamilton. Location: Bennetto CC

A Learn to Swim program for adults (18+) with special needs. The program is based on Hamilton’s Splash, Lifesaving Swimmer Program and Lifesaving Swim to Survive Program. Participants in this class must provide their own volunteer to be in the water with the participant. Participants in this class MUST provide their own volunteer to be present in the water with the swimmer.

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Bowling Friday Framers. Offered by the City of Hamilton. Location: Huntington Park RC

This recreational program is designed for teens and adults with special needs. Participants meet weekly at Sherwood Bowling Lanes and must provide own support worker.

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Teen Connections. Offered by the City of Hamilton. Locations: Ryerson RC and Westmount RC

This recreational program is designed for teens age 16-21 who have special needs and can participate semi-independently with a ratio of one staff to 5 participants. Participants can recreate and form connections with other teens and engage in activities including cooking, active games, crafts, swimming, fitness, group team building and much more.

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Again, any questions or concerns, please contact Alyson Kowalchyk at programs@dsah.ca.

Hope to see many participating and having fun!

Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton Christmas 2014-Original Prints

Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton Christmas Party 2014

Thank You to everyone that made this year’s Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton’s Christmas party a great success!

For a copy of the original photo, without a Christmas frame, follow this link: Original Prints -photography by Paul Arnold.

Christmas Party 2014

National Down Syndrome Awareness Week Nov.1-7

The Story of Bears Bob & Larry

(A family’s project to teach school age children about Down syndrome)

Today, I met two new friends: Bear Larry & Bear Bob.

They are very similar but they are also different: can you see how they are different?

Larry and Bob came to school to help us understand Down syndrome.

Each Lego block is a “cell” -all living things are made out of cells. Each cell in our body has a set of “chromosomes” -these are little parts that control things like the colour of my hair and eyes, whether I am short or tall, fast, strong, and many of the things that make ME unique. A person born with Down syndrome has ONE extra chromosome in each of their cells. This can affect how they talk and walk, and other things like learning. But, it doesn’t mean they can not do it. It just takes them a little longer or they may need a little more help. But eventually, with love and support, they will do it.

Bob has an extra chromosome in his cells. But even though there is something different, Bob still is very much like Larry.

Bear Larry (left) & Bear Bob (right) helping understand Down Syndrome

Bear Larry & Bear Bob (right) helping us understand Down syndrome

A close up look showing Bob’s extra chromosome

Workshop- Oral Motor Therapy & Speech Therapy

DSAH Halloween Dance VIDEO Party

Transition from school to work for young adults with Down syndrome

Join Canadian Down Syndrome Society Board member and Supported Employment expert, Sean Wiltshire, for an informal conversation around successful transitions to the workforce. Sean has been working in Supported Employment for over 20 years, and his organization Avalon Employment has assisted individuals in accessing over 1,240,000 hours of work and counting.

Sean is the founding President of the Canadian Association of Supported Employment and is a professional speaker with the National Speakers Bureau in Toronto and Vancouver.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: Charles Sturt University, Burlington, ON

Address: 860 Harrington Court, just off Harvester Road

(Guelph Line and Walkers Line).

RSVP or Questions: leanne@haltondownsyndrome.com

MusicClassesForToddlersBabies_Kindermusik_SingAndPlay_LogoPhoto Kindermusik: Sing & Play- For ages 0 to 4yrs and their caregivers -Offered by Blossom Yoga

“Get ready to sing, play, and move with your little one in this high-energy music class designed to be just right for children under two years of age. This new Kindermusik curriculum focuses on your child’s beginning movement, helping to build the muscles your baby needs to walk, and vocal development, helping to nurture your child’s speaking and singing voice. With a mix of both parent-child joint activities and child-focused activities, you’ll be able to join right in on all the singing and dancing while also getting the chance to observe how your older baby or toddler learns on her own. Embark on Kindermusik’s fun new exploration of singing, swaying, laughing, and playing through Sing & Play, a just-right mix of early-childhood vocal play and language development, together time, and music and movement activities! ”

Kindermusik: Family Time -For ages 0 – 10 years, siblings and their caregiver(s)-Offered by Blossom Yoga

When you bring children of all ages together you get a dynamic and integrated learning experience for everyone. Take favourite Kindermusik songs like “Shake, Shake the Apple Tree” and “hammocking” and roll them into a fun, energetic family class where every child is welcome and a family’s “together time” is celebrated and cherished. Special home materials fit varying ages and learning abilities while reinforcing the learning concepts, stories, and songs from class.

SwimAbilities-Children -Offered by the City of Hamilton. Locations: Bennetto CC and Sir Winston Churchill RC

SwimAbilities-ADULTS – Offered by the City of Hamilton. Location: Bennetto CC

Bowling Friday Framers. Offered by the City of Hamilton. Location: Huntington Park RC

This recreational program is designed for teens and adults with special needs. Participants meet weekly at Sherwood Bowling Lanes and must provide own support worker.

Teen Connections. Offered by the City of Hamilton. Locations: Ryerson RC and Westmount RC

DSAH My Creations Offered by DSAH. Dates & locations to be confirmed.

These recreational craft workshop will be run by DSAH volunteers for children aged 10 and up. Some of the craft projects that we would like to bring to the workshop include: create your own quilt (no sewing required!); make chewlery for you and a DSAH buddy; create a work of art from buttons. Other ideas may be incorporated depending on participant numbers and materials available.

DSAH Cooking Workshop – Offered by DSAH. Dates & Locations to be confirmed.

A recreational workshop run by DSAH volunteers for teens and adults to teach the basics of preparing a meal from gathering ingredients, preparing tools and following a recipe to putting it all together and enjoying a well balanced & nutritional meal.

DSAH Singing & Music. Offered by DSAH. Dates & Locations to be confirmed.

Design for teens and adults, this 8 week workshop will be run by a choir director who is generously volunteering his time, this 8 week workshop will teach the basics of signing. A performance at the end of the workshop is possible if participants are interested.

Take me back to the Feedback Programs Planning Fall & Winter 2014

Feedback Programs Planning Fall & Winter 2014

Need to know more about each potential program? Click here for a general description.

[contact-form-7 id=”1288″ title=”Feedback for DSAH Programs Fall-Winter 2014″]