Main content start

Conference Topics & Schedule

Parent/Professional Track - Friday

12:30-12:45pm Welcome

Mark Mapstone, Professor, Neurology; Vice Chair, Research, Neurology; Chief, Neuropsychology Division; Co-Director, Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome (CFAR-DS), University of California Irvine - bio

12:45-2:00pm Behavior & Self-Regulation Strategies

Lina Patel, PsyD, Professor, Psychiatry, Univ of Colorado - bio

2:00-3:00pm Medicaid Law Updates: What is at Stake & Next Step Advocacy

Sheraden Nicholau, Deputy Director, CA State Council on Developmental Disabilities

3:15-4pm Research - Update from National Down Syndrome Society

Kandi Pickard, CEO, National Down Syndrome Society

4:00-4:30pm Specialty Care: Dermatology

Justin Ko, MD, MBA, Clinical Professor, Stanford School of Medicine, Director and Chief of Medical Dermatology for Stanford Health Care (SHC) - bio

4:30-6pm KEYNOTE: Health Management with Adults with Down Syndrome

Brian Chicoine, MD, Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center, Advocate Medical Group - info

Parent/Professional Track - Saturday

9:00-10:15am Getting Accommodations into Your Child’s IEP

Panel discussion with district personnel, teacher, parent, advocate/inclusion specialist - led by Lakshmi Balasubramanian, Inclusion Specialist, and Gore Award winner, Stanford's highest award for excellence in teaching

10:15-10:30am Using AI to improve reading comprehension

Sharing innovative research at Stanford GSE, Lakshmi Balasubramanian

10:30-10:45am Stanford Cardinal Academy - NEW! Post Secondary Program for student w/IDD @ Stanford

Exciting New Program - Join us to learn more and get on our email list for updates! 

10:45-11:45am Lifestyle management and Impact on Long term health

Vibha Singhal, MPH, MBBS, Assoc. Professor, UCLA - bio

11:45am-12:15pm Specialty Care: Eye Conditions

Maanasa Indaram, MD, Medical Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology Division and Adult Strabismus Clinic, UCSF, and Co-Director Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center - bio

12:15-1:15pm Lunch

Networking or watch the Self-Advocate Talent Show

1:15-2:30pm Math & Learning Supports - concrete strategies for numeracy, money skills, problem-solving

Rhonda Faragher, Professor, Inclusive Education and Director, Down Syndrome Research Center, University of Queensland, Australia - bio

2:30-3:30pm Supporting the Transition to Independence

Ben Kaupp, Instructor, Tools for Transition & Work, Foothill College - bio

3:30-3:45pm Break
3:45-4:30pm Competitive, Integrated Employment

Jennifer Camota Leubke, CEO, Relay Resources - bio

4:30-4:45pm Presentation from Self-Advocates/Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Conference
4:45-5:30pm Self-Advocate Dance (tentative, TBC)

Self-Advocate Track (for individuals with disabilities) - Saturday Only

THEME: Our Disability Is Our Super Power

Join us for a fun, interactive, and educational day

Target Topics: Relationships, Person Centered Planning, Improv, Standup Comedy, Talent Show, Dance