Music therapy

What is music therapy?


Music therapy uses music as a powerful tool to create positive behavior changes.  Music therapy can enhance development in areas such as social/emotional, cognitive/academic and fine/gross motor skills. Music interventions are chosen specifically to meet individual developmental goals such as improving hand/eye coordination or increasing verbal skills
 
How can music therapy help a child who has Down syndrome?


Music therapy can be powerful in the life of a child who has DS. Music therapy goals often overlap and reinforce skill areas which are being addressed during the child's other therapies.  The use of music and rhythm can energize and organize a child's environment and encourage the child to participate. Music may also be used to relax a child when an environment becomes over stimulating.

If you would like to learn more about Music Therapy at the DSC be sure to contact them.

Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area

101-J Town and Country Drive Danville, CA 94526
Phone: 925-362-8660

The first model agency representing people with Down syndrome has been launched to coincide with World Down Syndrome Day. 

Some 20 people were selected, aged five to 33, after experts in the business rated their self-confidence in front of the camera. They will be available for photo shoots, advertising, catalogues and catwalk shows as part of the I'm I'm able 2 Model venture, and will be paid similar fees to other models.

Sheila Campbell, chief executive of the Down Syndrome Centre, said people with the disability needed to be better represented.

"For many of us, the experience of interacting with a person with Down syndrome has been increasingly normalised in recent times," Ms Campbell said.

"They are active contributors to communities on many levels and I'm able 2 Model will now provide a platform for them to be portrayed alongside their peers in media representation."

Ireland has one of the highest rates of people with the disability at one in every 500 births, as opposed to one in 1,000 in countries such as the US, Spain and Norway.

The company will be operated in conjunction with 1st Option Model Management, based in central Dublin and headed by Jules Fallon. Ms Fallon said she did not hesitate in getting involved in the project.

"Children with special needs such as Down syndrome have dreams and aspirations just like the rest of us, as do their parents," Ms Fallon said.

"Society no longer has a one-size-fits-all mentality so it's time we started to celebrate that people come in all different shapes, sizes and abilities.

"We are very excited about this project and are looking forward to opening new doors and revenue streams for people with Down syndrome."

Ms Campbell said they have not yet received any bookings but she is confident of business.

7th Annual Bowl-A-Rama

COME ON.. GRAB YOUR FRIENDS AND GET A LANE…. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AT THIS EVENT! THERE ARE SEVERAL LANES STILL AVAILABLE

You can register up to April 30th
(Call the office (925-362-8660) to register manually if you don’t do computers)
If you have REGISTERED AND created a webpage please remember to email it out to everyone you know.

Come Bowl with Us and Enjoy the Raffle Prizes at the……
7th Annual Bowl-A-Rama
Sunday May 2nd - 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl

Register your bowlers online NOW : http://www.firstgiving.com/dscba

Cost to register is $25 per bowler and for 2 games, shoes and a custom designed t-shirt.
(bumpers are first come first serve so check the bumper box if you want a bumper lane).
REGISTER BEFORE 4/19/10 TO GUARANTEE T-SHIRTS
This is our first fundraiser of the year. Our target goal is $20,000 and with everyone’s support we can make it happen.
It’s Easy! After registering PLEASE create a fundraising webpage!
Collect pledges for your team or bowler from friends, family and coworkers around the world.
Then please ask everyone to forward your page on to others so they too can collect pledges.

If you would like to be a “Family Lane Sponsor” you can do this on our website at www.dsconnection.org/bowlarama/. Choose “family sponsor” and pick your level.
(Someone from the Connection will contact you for your bowler and t-shirt information)
$250 Family Sponsor: 4 bowlers, 10 raffle tickets, name on the t-shirt and recognition in our July newsletter.
$500 Family Sponsor: 6 bowlers, name on the t-shirt, a 4X6 lane banner, and 20 raffle tickets and recognition in our July newsletter.
(If you have more than six bowlers please call the Connection to reserve a second lane.)
After choosing your sponsorship PLEASE visit www.firstgiving.com/dscba and create a personal webpage to start collecting pledges.
Just choose the “I registered off line” selection.

PLEASE HELP US: 2 times a year we will ask for your support to collect on line pledges (Bowl-a-Rama/Buddy Walk)…. We cannot keep our doors open without
the success of our fundraising efforts. We have worked hard at making it easy to collect donations. Last year the Buddy Walk was a big success because of YOU…….
your families and your friends who gave so generously. Please help us make 2010 a great year by collecting pledges……… and thank you!

REMEMBER: YOU CAN FUNDRAISE FOR THE BOWL-A-RAMA even if you are not bowling!

Angels on Stage

Angels on Stage is a non-profit organization that exists to support the special needs community of Northern California. They have been in existence since December of 2007. Their mission is to provide an opportunity for children of differing abilities of any type and degree, ages 5-22, to participate in an annual musical theatre production. (They are incorporated under Section 501(c)(3) and funded by the community, families and some local donors).

This season's musical theatre production will be "The Jungle Book". Angels on Stage will host 6 performances in March 2010 in San Jose, California BUY TICKETS. With 80+ Angels performing this season "The Jungle Book" is sure to delight and entertain audiences.

For more information to to angelsonstage.org

THE CONNECTION IS MOVING

Hello Everyone!

I wish you a peaceful and healthy new year.

Some exciting news….come February we will be moving our office in Danville downstairs to a space that is 1000 sq feet larger. This space will accommodate our growth in the coming years and the floor plan offers many other benefits that meet the needs of our students and staff.

This move would not be possible if it were not for the hard work from the Connection staff, board and generous grants this year. Our membership also came together as a community and In 2009 donated generously, asked family and friends to help, came to our events, donated cars, gave through employee matching campaigns and volunteered time. As the year ends we are reminded that the hard work starts again and we will count on and need everyone’s support in 2010.

As we get closer to February we will keep you updated on our move-in date.


Happy New Year,
Nancy LaBelle
Executive Director

BAY AREA BUDDY WALK - 10/11/09

Hello Everyone!

Come join our Bay Area Buddy Walk at Heather Farms Park in Walnut Creek Sunday October 11th. Raffles, BBQ, Live Music and Games... Lot's of fun!!

Registration is from 10am to 11am. Walk begins at 11:30. 12:30 lunch and more fun!

Register on line at www.firstgiving.com/dscba and start fundraising by creating a personal webpage too.

See you there

Nancy LaBelle
Executive Director
Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area