Milwaukee
Transition Conference
We had a great turnout for our Transition Conference in partnership with the Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Hospital, Family Voices of Wisconsin, and the Southeast Regional Center for CYSHCN. We heard sessions about moving from child to adult health care, what comes after high school, and what it’s like to transition to adult life. Thank you to our partners for a great fall conference!
Learning and Skills Night with the Medical College of Wisconsin
On November 8 our Young Leaders Academy students took a trip to MCW to talk to and learn from the medical students. The med students taught us about different kinds of doctors and how to do a medical examination. We got to tell them about what we like and don’t like about going to the doctor’s office, and then we got to practice examining them! Thanks to the MCW Friends of Special Needs for their incredible partnership. We had so much fun and are looking forward to working more with them again in the future!
Relationships Class
We offer a course on relationships for individuals with special needs. They talk about personal boundaries, dating, self-defense, stranger danger, and safety. There are classes on Monday nights and Saturday mornings, and it runs until December 19!
Nutrition & Wellness Class
DSAW and DSAW-Family Services also offered two sessions of a Nutrition and Wellness Class this month. The class meets twice a week and learns about personal health and well-being, exercise, and healthy cooking.
Young Leaders Bootcamp
This month at Bootcamp we focused on creating friendships. We discussed questions like “What are good friendships and why are they important?” and “How are good friendships built?” We really learned a lot!
Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in December to learn about different holidays around the world.
Cooking with the Kiddos
Cooking with the Kiddos happens every first and third Wednesday at our State office! Don’t worry about dinner plans — we’ll take care of it! This month at cooking, we made mini pizzas. At the second session we made gluten free mac n cheese and biscuits! They were delicious!
Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. We also offer free music therapy in conjunction with playgroup! Sign up to join us!
Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. We also have a Young Leaders Class at our Northside location in Fox Point! This location meets the first and second Fridays of the month from 7 - 9 PM! Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime.
Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! This month we prepared for Thanksgiving with apple pie, turkey crafts, and games! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, December 14. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up!
Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. We meet every second Friday of the month at Cleveland Pub, in conjunction with Tween Club! Come join us for one of our favorite nights of the month on Friday, December 14!
Central Wisconsin
Parent’s First Call Support Parent Training
We had a wonderful group of parents join us in Weston on November 3 for a PFC Support Parent Training. These parents came together to learn how to meet the need for peer support! As a part of Wisconsin’s Network of Support Parents, they now can be connected to another parent of a child with Down syndrome looking for support. Thank you to the parents and to Parent to Parent of Wisconsin for making this training happen!
Children’s Museum Outing
We went to Stevens Point this month to visit the Central WI Children’s Museum! We explored the museum together and had lunch!
Mom’s Coffee Date
DSAW women got together for a Mom’s Coffee Date at Vino Latte in Wausau on the second Wednesday of the month. We love this time to talk to other moms and grandmas while enjoying coffee and treats! Join us at the Vino Latte in Weston on December 12!
La Crosse
Family Night Out
At the beginning of the month we went to The Children’s Museum of La Crosse with our friends from the La Crosse Area Autism Foundation. The museum hosted an Inclusion Night for people with disabilities, and we had a great night exploring the museum without the extra stimulation of its busy hours!
Self Advocate Bowling Event
DSAW self advocates went bowling at Pla-Mor Lanes in La Crosse on November 10. Everyone did an awesome job out on the lanes, and we had a great afternoon!
Parent’s Night Out
Our Parent’s Night Out this month was at Pacifico Mexican Restaurant in Viroqua! Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings had a casual evening of conversation and free appetizers!
Green Bay
Dad’s Night Out
In November, DSAW-GB dads had a night to themselves! We went to Buffalo Wild Wings and shared some free appetizers while watching sports!
Cookie Decorating Event
Families got together at the Howe Resource Center on November 24 for cookie decorating, ornament making, and designing aprons! We loved decorating (and eating!) all of our cookies and getting ready for the holiday season!
Mom’s Night Out
DSAW moms, grandmas, and female caregivers took a break from the holiday madness to get together for a night out! We went to Caliente in De Pere and had a great evening! Please note that there will be no Mom’s Night Out in December due to the holidays.
MADSS
Playgroup at Sky Zone
We had a busy month in November! We started off with a playgroup at Sky Zone. Everyone had so much fun jumping around on the trampolines and launching into the foam pit!
Arts and Crafts Workshop
We made Fall-themed arts and crafts this month at UW-Madison! Families enjoyed light refreshments and got to express their creativity with painting crafts!
Rock County Family Holiday Movie
Rock County families came together in Janesville to see the latest release of The Grinch! We loved celebrating the holidays with each other and this silly movie! Thank you to all of our families who joined us :)
Parent’s Night Out
At the end of the month, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and adult siblings met up at Bonefish Grill for a casual evening of conversation and free appetizers!
Mom’s Take 5
MADSS also has a Mom’s Night Out on the 5th of every month! November was no different! We always love getting together with these incredible women.
Fox Cities
Mom’s Night Out
Moms, grandmas, and female caregivers got together at the beginning of November for an evening of respite at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in Appleton! We had a fun night of conversation and good eats!
