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Please note that information presented
in this website should not be construed as objective or definitive,
but represents the opinions and understanding of various DDC Members
and other contributors.

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Welcome
The Downs (Down syndrome) Development
Council, DDC, is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and
volunteer support group established in 1978 by parents of children
with Down syndrome.
Our
mission is to promote a greater acceptance and understanding of Down
syndrome, by enlightening the broader community to recognize the
individuality, uniqueness and capabilities of individuals with Ds.
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Events
“FUN with SPEED”
CAMP DEMO DAY
FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Hosted by:

Located in Buffalo Grove!
Specializing in
SPEED, AGILITY, STRENGTH TRAINING
ALL SPORTS, ALL AGES
Split Second Speed will be running
"Fun with Speed" classes every Saturday
afternoon!! Come experience first hand the
benefits of Split Second Speed training!!
WHEN???
Saturday 2/20
*1:00-2:00pm
Click here for more
information
and for a
registration form.
GiGi’s LXC Cheer Team!
All Star Co-Ed Cheerleading
For differently-abled athletes ages 6
and up!
Being part of a cheer team builds self
confidence, friendships and works all
aspects of large & small motor skills.
Practice one time a week - Sundays
4:15-5:15
First practice is December 12!
Click here for more information
The
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
provides free training seminars on Special Education
Rights on Saturday mornings and the first Tuesday
morning of each month. FRCD is located at 20 E. Jackson
Blvd., Room 300, Chicago. For more information and to
pre-register, call FRCD at 312-939-3513.
The Illinois Branch of The International
Dyslexia Association will have
their annual Fall Conference October 15-16, 2009 at
Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
The conference features keynote speakers Shad Moarif and
Dr. Robert Brooks, plus 32 additional sessions. Go to
their web site
http://www.readibida.org/ for additional
information.
Ultimate Athletics
Presents
The Gems
All-Star Co-Ed Cheerleading for
Special Needs Athletes ages 5 and up!
No previous experience necessary!
Practices held once a week from 12:30-2:00pm on
Sundays
*USASF Certified Staff and volunteers
knowledgeable in special needs will be present at all practices
to ensure a safe and fun environment!
Click
here for more information

Free—Come Children, Sing! Online Music Classes for
Infants, Babies and Toddlers
The Come Children Sing Institute is offering
free gift certificates for Come Children, Sing! Online Music
Classes for infants, babies and toddlers with special
needs. Engage in the exciting process of your child’s
music development in your own home, on your own schedule,
whatever your musical background or the developmental level
of your child. Make Come Children, Sing! portable with an
iPod or CD. Listen to the Free Audio Presentation,
“Parenting Music,” and view Free Sample Lessons at
www.comechildrensing.com. Write
ccs.online@comechildrensing.com to request your gift
certificate. Mention that you have a child with special
needs. Your $35 gift certificate will be sent via email and
you can start the 10-week Online Music Class at any time.
Cheerleading for Special Needs Kids
"Extend" is looking for boys and girls with special needs
who are interested in cheerleading. If you are interested
in being part of this program please sign-up for our mailing
list and we will send you more information. Please call
847-458-8257.
Click here
to see the flier
The Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Center,
located at 1555 N. Barrington Rd. Suite 415 in Hoffman
Estates is pleased to announce the opening of
The Pediatric Down Syndrome Clinic.
Appointments are now being taken for the Down Syndrome
Clinic. Children in this clinic are evaluated by members
of a multidisciplinary team with extensive expertise in
providing medical and developmental care to children
with Down syndrome. For more information please call
847.490.4222.
Dr. Nancy Keck, MD, Developmental-Behavioral
Pediatrician
Dr. Cesar Ochoa, MD, Developmental-Behavioral
Pediatrician
Christopher Watson, PsyD
Gretchen Hatchett, Social Worker
Maureen Lenke, Occupational Therapist
Colette Titus, Speech-Language Pathologist
Dominick’s “eScrip” Fundraising
Enroll now in Dominick's "eScrip" and have your qualifying
purchases be credited to the DDC every time you shop with
your Dominick's Fresh Values Card!
It does not involve a credit card, or remembering any
coupons or receipts. Once enrolled with DDC as your
recipient organization, you just shop! Log on to www.escrip.com to
register. It takes less than 5 minutes. Search by our name
or by zip code. We are listed as Down Syndrome Development
Council, Mundelein, IL, 60060. All you will need is
your Dominick’s’ Fresh Values card. If you have any
questions, please contact Janis Kern, DDC Treasurer, at
(847) 548-4417.
Special Needs Swimming Lessons
There is an awesome swimming program at the Vernon Hills
YMCA for special needs children. There is 1 on 1 instruction
for those too young to swim and the program is supported by
a pediatric therapist. The cost for both members and
non-members is $86.00. For more information, call Mary
at 847-367-6797.
Need help teaching your child to ride a bike?
People call Richard Klein the Bike Doctor for his work in
teaching special-needs children to ride their bikes. During
the process, Klein replaces bike tires with a series of
eight custom-built rollers. His process usually takes four
to five days. Easter Seals has offered camps featuring Mr.
Klein and his “Lose The Training Wheels” program. For more
information visit
www.losethetrainingwheels.org.
New Mandatory Individual Education Plans
(IEP) Forms & Response to Intervention.
In a recent article in the newsletter for
the Community High School District 117, Director of
Special Education Roberta Seigel related that the
Illinois State Board of Education has issued new
mandatory IEP forms. These new forms could
possibly be used to standardize the various froms used
in the construction of student's IEP across the state.
You can preview these forms on the ISBE website (www.isbe.state.il.us).
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DDC Events
Monthly Meetings
DDC meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month
at different locations. Meetings are open to all.
Please call or e-mail RaeAnn Collins to RSVP and for the
current location.
rjohncol@comcast.net
847.265.8482
Playgroup
Our monthly playgroup now
meets on the 3rd Wednesday evening of the month.
Families are encouraged to bring all of their
children for an interactive group play therapy session, led
by our developmental therapist Kris Murray and hosted by
various DDC parents. The Wednesday evening playgroup
includes a light dinner. A Spanish language interpreter is
available with advance notice. These playgroups are
completely free of charge and open to all DDC member
families! Playgroup dates are listed below.
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