Expectant Parents

Early Connections offers a friendly and supportive environment for parents and their babies (ages 0–3). We share helpful information to support your baby’s development. Some months we invite guest speakers and focus on a specific topic.

2024 Schedule

Early Connections

Wednesdays - 7:00pm-8:30pm

• Location: Zoom
• Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 13*, Apr 3, May 1, Jun 5, Jul 3, Aug 7, Sep 4, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4

*adjusted date

Saturdays - 9:30am-11:00am

• Location: DSCBA Office, 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville
• Jan 20, Feb 24, Mar 23*, Apr 20**, May 25, Jul 20, Aug 24, Sep 28, Oct 26, Nov 23
  • * Early Connections World Down Syndrome Day Celebration (March 23)
  • ** Play4All Park playdate at 815 Elmira Rd, Vacaville (April 20)

Las Conexiones Tempranas ofrecen un entorno amigable y de apoyo para los padres y sus bebés (de 0 a 3 años). Compartimos virtualmente información útil para apoyar el desarrollo de su bebé. Algunos meses invitamos a oradores invitados y nos enfocamos en un tema específico.

CONEXIONES TEMPRANAS en español

 Jueves - 3:00pm - 4:30pm

• Ubicación: Zoom
• 18 de enero, 22 de febrero*, 21 de marzo, 18 de abril, 16 de mayo, 20 de junio, 18 de julio, 15 de agosto, 19 de septiembre, 17 de octubre, 21 de noviembre, 29 de diciembre

Mom’s Coffee Chat

Moms of children of all ages are welcomed to join in on an opportunity to get together in the comfort of your own home with fellow moms and share in the joys and challenges of parenting.

2024 Meeting Time/Dates:

• Facilitator: Laura Gordon, LGordon@dscba.org 
• Wednesday, 11am-12pm PST
• Location: Via Zoom
• Jan 17, Apr 17, Jul 17, Oct 16

Please email Programs@dscba.org if you have any questions. 

Dad’s Night

Dads of children of all ages are welcomed to join in on an opportunity to get to meet other dads.  This is a perfect way to get together in the comfort of your own home with other dads and share in the joys and challenges of parenting.

2024 Meeting Time/Dates:

• Facilitator: Vivek Mathrani
• Sunday, 7:30 - 9 p.m. 
• Location: Via Zoom
• Jan 28, Mar 24, May 26, Jul 28, Sep 22, Nov 24

Please email Programs@dscba.org if you have any questions. 

Grandparents of children with Down syndrome are welcomed and encouraged to join this monthly group. This is an opportunity to exchange information, share common experiences, and be encouraged by other grandparents with similar issues and concerns.

2024 Meeting Time/Dates:

• Facilitator: Michelle Slape, Michelle@dscba.org 
• Location: Hybrid - Zoom / DSCBA, 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville
• 10:00am–11:30am, Third Wednesday of the month
• Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 20, Apr 17*, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 17, Aug 21*, Sep 18, Oct 16, Nov 20, Dec 18*
  • In - person meetings in Danville office are marked with "*"
  • All other meetings dates by Zoom.

Sibling Support

Brothers and sisters of those with Down syndrome tend to be compassionate, understanding, wonderful people. But we also know that being the brother or sister of someone with Down syndrome can have its tough times, too!  

If you would like more information about resources please contact info@dscba.org 

Additional Resources

Organizations:

• Sibling Leadership Network: www.siblingleadership.org   
  • Provides siblings of individuals with disabilities tools to advocate for their sibling and for issues important to their family.
• Sibling Support Project: www.siblingsupport.org
  • A national network to provide support to siblings of people with disabilities. Sibling support workshops (SIBSHOPS) are available throughout the country.
• National Down Syndrome Congress for ADULT SIBLINGS: www.ndsccenter.org/adult-siblings 
• National Down Syndrome Society: Caring For Your Family

  ---

Books about Siblings and Down syndrome*:

• Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters
  • Brian Skotko and Susan Levine (Woodbine House, 2009). Uses a question and answer format to address questions from teens who have a sibling with Down syndrome.
• 47 Strings: Tessa's Special Code
  • Carey, Becky (Little Creek Press, 2012). A big brother learns about his little sister’s special code. A book to help explain Down syndrome to young children.
• Sibshops-
  • Meyer, Don and Patricia Vadasy, revised edition (Brookes Publishing, 2008). A guide to organizing workshops for siblings according to the SibShop model.
• Special Brothers and Sisters-
  • Hames, Annette and Monica McCaffrey, editors (Jessica Kinsgley, 2005). Accounts from real-life siblings of children with special needs.
• Special Siblings-
  • McHugh, Mary, Revised Edition (Brookes Publishing, 2003). Interviews with more than a 100 siblings and experts.
• The Sibling Slam Book-
  • Meyer, Don, editor (Woodbine House, 2005). Eighty teenagers talk about what it is like to have a brother or sister with special needs.
• The Sibling Survival Guide-Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults with Disabilities
  • Meyer, Don and Emily Holl, editors (Woodbine House, 2014). Advice for siblings on topics ranging from communication to medical and legal issues.
• Views from Our Shoes
  • Meyer, Don, editor (Woodbine House, 1997). Essays from children who have a sibling with a disability.
• We'll Paint the Octopus Red-
  • Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, (Woodbine House, 1998). A little girl prepares to welcome her new baby brother with Down syndrome. Ages 3-7.
• Your Loved One is Having a Baby with Down Syndrome-
  • When you learn that someone you love is expecting a baby with Down syndrome, you naturally have concerns, and wonder what to say and do. This book will help you through your initial, normal reactions of sadness, shock, and worry, and give you the information and perspective you need to welcome a baby with Down syndrome.

*Check to see if a copy is available to borrow from our Lending Library 

Email the Lending Library

We have several private Facebook Groups to serve the needs of our diverse membership.  Please click through the links to request to join. Our main Facebook page is located here.

• Young Connections at DSCBA
  • A DSCBA Connection group for parents of young and elementary-aged children. This private group provides a place to share and support one another in a respectful environment. 

     
• DSCBA Homeschoolers
  • This private group, a part of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA), is open to parents, family members and caregivers who homeschool a child or adult having Down syndrome. This group also welcomes parents or persons in the Bay Area seeking more information about homeschooling their loved one with Down syndrome. This is a place for families to ask questions and share advice, resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes of homeschooling. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with sharing humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

• DSCBA Conexión de Síndrome Down del Área de la Bahía
  • Down Syndrome Connection es una organización apasionada y dedicada a fomentar el potencial ilimitado en niños y adultos con síndrome de Down en todo el Área de la Bahía de San Francisco desde 1998.
    Este es un lugar para que las familias y cualquier persona con un ser querido con el síndrome de Down puedan hacer preguntas, compartir consejos, recursos y experiencias sobre los desafíos únicos, el estrés adicional, los retos y los éxitos. La atención se centra en ayudarse mutuamente a encontrar posibles soluciones, junto con historias divertidas, en un entorno seguro y sin prejuicios.

     
• DSCBA Dual Diagnosis Support
  • This private group, a part of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA), is open to parents, family members, caregivers, and others working with a child or adult having Down syndrome and autism in the Bay Area. This group also welcomes parents or persons in the Bay Area seeking more information about a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism.
    This is a place for families, and anyone touched by a person having dual diagnosis, to ask questions, share advice, resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

• DSCBA-Parents/Caregivers of Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome
  • A DSCBA Connection group for parents/caregivers of Teens and Adults with Down syndrome. This is a private group that is meant to give an opportunity to share and support one another in a respectful environment.