Educator DSES - Promoting Self-Esteem, Competence, and Independence in Teens and Adults with DS
***Please note that this presentation is being held in Mammel Hall, located near Aksarben Village, on UNO's Pacific Street campus. See the map below for directions and help with parking. You will need to print out an ePermit, that will emailed to you when available, in order to park on campus.***
Promoting Self-Esteem, Competence, and Independence in Teens and Adults With Down Syndrome -
This workshop will provide information on the tried and true ways to promote self-esteem, competence, and independence in people with Down syndrome. Participants will learn how to understand and take advantage of unique behavioral characteristics such as self-talk, social sensitivity, grooves, visual memory, and receptivity to visual cues to build competence and independence. In addition, participants will learn how to avoid failure and dependence by specifically targeting key areas of weakness; why good social skills, sex education and safety training are so important; and how to identify and promote unique talents and skills.
Speaker Bio-
Dennis McGuire, Ph.D., is a behavioral expert who helped establish a world-class medical care and research center for adults with Down syndrome under the umbrella of the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. McGuire has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of mental health and developmental disabilities and is the former Director of Psychosocial Services for the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital in suburban Chicago, the largest, most prestigious clinic for adults with Down syndrome in the United States. He helped establish the center, which serves over 4,000 unique adult patients with Down syndrome each year. He received the National Down Syndrome Congress’ Theodore D. Tjossem Research Award in 2003 and the World Down Syndrome Day Scientific Award in 2010, and he was the featured speaker at the 2011 Global Down Syndrome Educational Series. McGuire received his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his master’s degree from the University of Chicago.
The Down Syndrome Education Series (DSES) is a monthly educational seminar for families of children with Down syndrome, designed to connect parents with information that will positively impact the education and well-being of their child.
Childcare is not provided. With the exception of infants, we request that you refrain from bringing children to this event.
