Join NDSS for our upcoming webinars! This page features free upcoming webinars and past webinar recordings that cover a variety of topics. NDSS offers more resources on these pages: Advocacy & Policy, Education, Employment, Health & Wellness, and Research Program.
Upcoming Webinars
Helping Caregivers Plan for Today and the Future
Wednesday, January 21 5-6:30 PM ET
Join Jennie Dopp, ChSNC, from CaringTide, at our webinar, Helping Caregivers Plan for Today and the Future. Jennie will share resources and tools to guide you in creating a family lifecare plan for your loved one and your family. Learn how to layer together support networks, an Emergency Plan & Letter of Intent, ABLE and Financial Strategies, Benefits, Estate Planning, Housing, Employment, Caregiving, Quality of Life, and Strategies for Independence.
Please register for the webinar even if you are unable to attend so that the recording will be emailed to you.
Advocacy & Policy Recordings
An Overview of Government Benefits - May 2025
Please join the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) for an informational hour with Mike Walther, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CFA® and founder of Oak Wealth Advisors as we discuss Government Benefits.
Who is eligible for benefits? How do you access them? Government benefits are valuable throughout your loved one’s lifetime. This presentation benefits families who want to understand what benefits are available and what the requirements are for eligibility. Successfully obtaining benefits provides income and medical support.
For families with loved ones who are teenagers or young adults, this information is essential.
Planning for Adulthood and Continuity of Care - April 2025
Join the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) for an informational hour with Mike Walther, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CFA® and founder of Oak Wealth Advisors. This presentation will focus on the key planning considerations for adults with disabilities and ways that family members can assist with the decision making.
Parents and guardians will learn about Guardianship, Powers of Attorney, and Supported Decision Making. Housing, employment, transportation, and other planning challenges will also be discussed. We will highlight the value of a care guide/letter of intent. This document provides the key information that future care givers will need to maintain your loved one’s quality and continuity of care.
Education Recordings
Down Syndrome: The Specific Learning Profile - August 2024
In this webinar, NDSS Senior Manager of Education Programs, Jessica Kuss, and NDSS Programs Associate, Charlotte Woodward, discuss the unique profile of strengths and challenges that individuals with Down syndrome face and share ways we can highlight and support their strengths are areas of challenge.
Inclusive Education Guidelines; Inclusive Education Guidelines (Spanish)
Employment Recordings
Self-Employment and Benefits: What Aspiring Entrepreneurs with Down Syndrome Need to Know - December 2025
Join NDSS for the final, two-part webinar in our Entrepreneurship Series with Lisa Linder of Navigating Adult Services! Learn how to navigate Social Security benefits while pursuing self-employment, including SSDI, SSI, work incentives, and reporting earnings. Lisa will also cover health insurance options and strategies for tracking business expenses—all designed to help your loved one with Down syndrome succeed as a self-employed individual while utilizing "work incentives" to retain benefits when possible.
View Webinar - Part 1 View Slides - Part 1
View Webinar - Part 2View Slides - Part 2
Stand Out & Shine: How to Build Your Brand - December 2025
Ready to turn your passion into a powerful brand that connects with the right people? This webinar is designed for self-advocates with Down syndrome and their parents and caregivers who are ready to take their business ideas to the next level. We'll walk through Celebrate EDU’s Spark Canvas framework to help you discover what makes your business irresistible, then dive into practical, budget-friendly tools for creating a visual identity that truly represents your business. From choosing the perfect colors and fonts that speak to your customers, to leveraging free design tools like Canva, you'll leave with actionable steps to start building your brand. Whether you're launching a new venture or ready to elevate an existing business, this session will give you the confidence and roadmap to create a brand that not only stands out but genuinely shines.
Workplace Accommodations for Adults with Down Syndrome: What Caregivers Need to Know - November 2025
This webinar will provide caregivers with practical guidance on how to support a loved one with Down syndrome or another intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) in navigating disability disclosure and requesting job accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The webinar is presented by Lisa DeMoss, Cognitive/Neurological Specialist Consultant at Job Accommodation Network.
Caregiver’s Guide to Supporting Career Development for Adults with Down Syndrome - November 2025
This webinar will share practical tools and strategies to help caregivers guide their loved one from early job preparation to long-term career growth. Join us to feel more prepared and empowered as a partner in your loved one’s employment journey. This webinar is presented by Amanda Myers, Certified Employment Support Professional and Director of Employment Services at Down Syndrome Innovations.
Opportunity Unlocked: Entrepreneurship for People with Down Syndrome - November 2025
Join NDSS, Jenny and Linda Anderson of Celebrate EDU, and Anna Sasser, owner of Down Right Designs, for a session on entrepreneurship for individuals with Down syndrome. You will learn about inclusive business training models, real-life success stories, and practical strategies to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and real-world experience. We will also explore how self-employment can be a flexible, rewarding, and empowering path to independence. This session is ideal for families, educators, and anyone ready to reimagine what meaningful work can look like and how to support individuals with Down syndrome in creating their own business opportunities.
How to Support Individuals with Down syndrome to Start Their Own Business: Turning Self-Employment Dreams into Reality - December 2024
In this webinar, Sue Babin, Special Projects Coordinator for the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) and founder and Project Director for RI’s Self-Employment Business Incubator Project as well as Katie Lowe, a business owner with Down syndrome, and her mother, Claudia, shares their journey and insights on the key resources that helped make Katie's business a success!
From Data to Action Using Employment Data to Advocate for Change - October 2024
In this webinar, Lindsay DuBois from the Human Services Research Institute and Laura Vegas from the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, discusses the latest National Core Indicators data, revealing critical insights into employment for the IDD community and explaining what this means for your loved one. Additionally, speakers provide practical, actionable steps that you can take to help improve employment outcomes for the IDD community and your loved one. Learn more about the National Core Indicators®
Preparing Children and Adults with Down Syndrome for Employment - July 2024
In this webinar, Amanda Myers, a certified employment support professional, provides actionable strategies for fostering independence and preparing individuals with Down syndrome for employment from a young age. She shares ways to integrate vocational training into daily activities and discusses the role of employment professionals, such as vocational rehabilitation specialists, and how they fit into the employment process for people with Down syndrome.
Entrepreneurship Webinar - May 2023
In this webinar, NDSS celebrates the launch of the NDSS Entrepreneurship Guide with a panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs with Down syndrome. Speakers share their personal journeys, insights, and practical advice on overcoming challenges and achieving success in entrepreneurship. Panelists included Austin’s Underdawgs, Candidly Kind, John’s Crazy Socks, and Matthew’s Bonfire BBQ.
Health & Wellness Recordings
Understanding and Supporting Trauma in Adults with Down Syndrome
- November 2025
In this webinar, caregivers will gain a deeper understanding of how trauma can present differently in adults with Down syndrome. It will explore practical strategies and evidence-informed approaches for providing meaningful support. In addition, the session will highlight helpful resources to further assist families navigating trauma-related challenges. This webinar is presented by Ruth Brown, PhD, Director of HOPE (Healthy Outcomes and Psychosocial Equity) Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Building Healthy Habits with 321go!®: Cooking and Nutrition Made Simple- August 2025
This fun and informative webinar focuses on healthy eating for individuals with Down syndrome. Learning to cook is one way to build the independence and the confidence needed to turn healthy choices into lifelong habits. This webinar explores the importance of balanced nutrition and how healthy eating habits can support one’s overall well-being. This session features a live cooking demonstration by Lisa Dickie of Dickie’s Cooking School and Max Crawford of Max Mix Gourmet Spice Blends. Learn more about 321go!
Understanding Common Sleep Disorders in People with Down Syndrome - April 2025
Join NDSS for our upcoming webinar with Dan Combs, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Arizona, as he explores the topic of sleep and Down syndrome. Dr. Combs will discuss common sleep disorders and their potential treatments in people with Down syndrome with a focus on sleep apnea as well as insomnia.
Additionally, we will introduce two new resources from NDSS: a sleep apnea overview and symptom checklist as well as tips on how to prepare for a sleep study.
Elevating Caregiver Wellness: The Power of Emotional Intelligence - March 2025
In this webinar, Shatanese Reese (she/her), Certified EQi Consultant and CEO of Shatanese Reese, LLC, discusses emotional intelligence (EQ), the EQi 2.0, and how caregivers can use key areas of EQ to improve their emotional well-being.
Enhancing Women’s Health - October 2024
In this webinar, Dr. Graham provides an overview of the Primary Care Provider’s Guide to Women’s Health and Down Syndrome, discusses similarities and differences for women with Down syndrome when it comes to their health care needs, and highlights key strategies when providing care.
Dermatology & Down Syndrome - November 2024
Join Dr. Jillian Rork, Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Dartmouth Health and Dr. Allison Kranyak, Psoriasis and Phototherapy Fellow in the Department of Dermatology at the University of California San Francisco for a discussion about common dermatology (skin condition) challenges in individuals with Down syndrome. Dr. Rork and Dr. Kranyak also share new dermatology resources for families!
This webinar was created by LuMind IDSC before they merged into the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 2025. NDSS is proud to continue offering these free educational resources to the Down syndrome community.
Updates on Down Syndrome Regression Disorder: What You Need to Know with Dr. Jonathan Santoro - September 2024
Down Syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD) is an emerging condition where individuals rapidly lose language, communication abilities, and developmental skills over a period of weeks to months without a clear cause. This condition can be sudden and devastating for both families and individuals. This webinar with Dr. Jonathan Santoro and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) focuses on the signs and symptoms of DSRD, the recommended workup for the condition, and treatment options.
Inclusive Mental Healthcare for Individuals with Down Syndrome - April 2024
In this webinar, The National Down Syndrome Society, Dr. Ruth Brown, and Morgan Stohlman share NDSS' newest resource: Practicing Inclusive Mental Healthcare for Individuals with Down Syndrome. Individuals with Down syndrome and their families can use the resource to advocate for and educate others about the importance of inclusive mental healthcare.
Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: What we know and what we can do about it - December 2023
In this webinar, Dr. Michael Rafii joins the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to discuss the latest understanding of Alzheimer's disease, recent advances in diagnostic tests and treatments for Alzheimer's disease in the general population, and why individuals with Down syndrome are at high risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
Caregiver Recordings
Adapting Activities for Individuals with Down Syndrome as Alzheimer’s Disease Progresses - October 2025
As Alzheimer’s disease develops, individuals with Down syndrome gradually lose the ability to independently do personal care activities as well as hobbies they used to enjoy. This webinar will provide strategies to modify and adapt personal care and leisure activities throughout the stages of Alzheimer’s disease while ensuring the safety of the individual as well as the caregiver. This webinar is presented by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist at Advocate Medical Group.
Optimizing ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts - October 2025
This webinar will share an overview of major Government Benefits Programs. Opportunities for the greatest impact and how to avoid the most common mistakes will be highlighted. The webinar is presented by Mike Walther, Founder and President of Oak Wealth Advisors.
From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Thriving While you Care - October 2025
This webinar will explore the emotional and psychological aspects of caregiving and provide practical tools to help caregivers thrive. Participants will learn to recognize early warning signs of burnout, develop effective self-care practices, and apply stress-reduction techniques designed specifically for the caregiving journey. The webinar is presented by Shatanese Reese, Certified EQi Consultant and CEO of Shatanese Reese Global Ltd.
NDSS Caregiver Resources - October 2025
Join us as we kick off Down Syndrome Awareness Month highlighting NDSS’ caregiving resources as the first part of our month-long Caregiver Webinar Series! This webinar is presented by Jessica Kuss, Senior Manager of Education Programs, and Charlotte Woodward, Programs Associate at the National Down Syndrome Society.