2024 Adult Summit Schedule
Caregiver and Professionals Track

The General Track is designed for an audience of parents/caregivers and professionals. This track covers aging and Down syndrome through a whole-person, comprehensive approach. Content will overlap ages and subject areas, providing attendees with information and practical resources.

Thursday, November 14, 2024

TimeSession
10:00 AMREGISTRATION OPENS
1:00 PM – 2:30 PMOPENING KEYNOTE: The Lucky Few
2:30 PM – 2:45 PMBREAK
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Independent Living Panel Discussion
NDSS Team

Caregiver's Guide to Understanding Down Syndrome Research
Kate O'Neill
Hampus Hillerstrom, MS, MBA, LuMind IDSC

What is the Link Between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer Disease? 
How Can We Reduce Risk for Our Loved Ones with Down Syndrome?
Elizabeth Head, PhD

10 Basic Financial Steps for Special Needs Caregivers
Kelly Piacenti, ChSNC

3:45 PM – 4:00 PMBREAK
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The INCLUDE Project: A Roadmap for Inclusive Down Syndrome Research Across the Lifespan 
Sujata Bardhan, PhD, MS

Financially Empowering the Down Syndrome Community Through ABLE Accounts 
Anne Osborne, Deputy Executive Director, CalABLE

5:00 PM – 6:30 PMNETWORKING MIXER
6:30 PM – 7:00 PMDINNER ON YOUR OWN



 


Friday, November 15, 2024

TimeSession
8:30 AM – 9:30 AMOPENING KEYNOTE: Julie Hocker, MBA
9:30 AM – 9:45 AMBREAK
9:45 AM – 11:15 AM

Transition 101 
Jessica Kuss, M.Ed, NDSS
Charlotte Woodward, NDSS

Why Is My Loved One with Down Syndrome Slowing Down, Shutting Down, or Losing Skills?
Dr. Brian Chicoine, MD

Self-Determination: An Introduction for Caregivers and Families
Ruth Brown, PhD
Richard Chapman, PhD

Leveraging Data on People with Down Syndrome to Support System Change for All People with IDD
Lindsay DuBois, PhD, Research Associate, Human Services Research Institute 
Valerie J. Bradley, President Emerita, Human Services Research Institute
Heather Young, Project Coordinator, Human Services Research Institute

11:15 AM – 11:30 AMBREAK
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Unlocking Opportunities: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities Through Entrepreneurship  
Sandra McElwee, Chief Dream Facilitator, Seanese
Linda Anderson; Co-Founder, Celebrate EDU 
Jenny Anderson; Co-Founder, Celebrate EDU

Women’s Health and Down Syndrome: What You Should Know
Dr. Hannah Graham, MD
Katie Frank,PhD, OTR/L
Margot Rhondeau, MA, NDSS
Charlotte Woodward, BA, NDSS

Adult Literacy in Ohio
Christopher J. Lemons, PhD, Associate Professor of Special Education, Stanford University 
Kari Jones, President & CEO, ElevateDD 

TBA
Julie Hocker, MBA

1:00 PM – 2:00 PMLUNCH & LEARN ADVOCACY & POLICY
NDSS Policy Team
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Health Policy 
David Egan
Lindsay DuBois, PhD
Ruth Brown, PhD
Richard Chapman, PhD
Anna Fedewa, NDSS

3D Printing for Accessibility 
Carrie Lane

Navigating Aging: A Toolkit for Caregivers
Kathryn Pears
Margot Rhondeau, NDSS
Jadene Ransdell

Making Your Child's Life Bigger! 
Tim and Brandon Gruber

3:30 PM – 3:45 PMBREAK
3:45 PM – 5:15 PM

Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease in People with Down Syndrome 
Michael Rafii, PhD

The Balancing Act: Health, Safety, and Independence 
Dr. Brian Chicoine, MD
Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L
Dr. Hannah Graham, MD

EQ & Wellness: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence While Navigating Life 
Shatanese Reese

Dreams and Determination: Starting and Scaling a Family Business with a Loved One with Down Syndrome
Jan Underwood, Director, Each and Everyone Foundation

5:15 PM – 7:00 PMDINNER ON YOUR OWN
7:00 PM – 9:00 PMDANCE PARTY



 


Saturday, November 16, 2024

TimeSession
8:00 AMREGISTRATION OPENS
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Sibling Panel 
Laurie Reynolds
Terquoise Gwyn
Stacy Eldred, PhD
NDSS Team

The Recipe for Health: How to Nourish Your Mind, Body, and Soul 
Dr. Brian Chicoine, MD

Don't Cross the Line! Understanding Boundary Confusion in Individuals with I/DD 
Terri Couwenhoven, MS, AASECT Certified Sex Educator

Transition 101 
Jessica Kuss, M.Ed, NDSS
Charlotte Woodward, NDSS

10:00 AM – 10:15 AMBREAK
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Building a Brand on Social Media: For Your Self-Advocate, Your Business and Yourself 
John and Mark X. Cronin, Co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks 

Inclusive Research: The Experiences of Adults with Down Syndrome and Researchers Co-creating a Study
Marie Channell, PhD

Association Between Healthy Lifestyle and Cognition
Yuriko Matsuo, MSN, PMHNP-BC, APRN

College is for All 
Belkis Praslin, ThinkCollege

11:15 AM – 11:30 AMBREAK
11:30 AM – 12:30 PMCLOSING KEYNOTE: The Lucky Few
12:30 PMCONFERENCE CONCLUDES