For registration for programs, please email admin@edss.ca unless otherwise stated, please contact julie@edss.ca.
To participate in any of these programs you must be an EDSS member in good standing.
THANK YOU!
EDSS Fall Programming – January to April
Coffee Club - Mondays from Jan 16, Feb 13, March 13, April 17- 1:00pm-3:00pm
You are invited to this peer-to-peer program to meet other parents and relax.
Every parent and caregiver of an individual with Down Syndrome need a break! Join us for Coffee Club and enjoy an afternoon where the wisdom gained and shared is invaluable. We build our community by providing emotional support and sharing resources during our monthly Coffee Club.
Drop-in
FREE, In-person
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Learning Sessions – Monday, Jan 23, Feb 27, March 20, April 24 – 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Different people have different reasons of participating in a learning session and our learning sessions have different agenda. Most of the time these learning sessions are to help parents/teachers/guardians learning something valuable.
Winter is a time of year when many people give gifts, regardless of what holiday they celebrate. And isn’t it mind-numbingly boring to sit on the floor in front of the TV, wrapping your gifts alone? Bring the gifts you need to wrap and connect with others in your community. All wrapping supplies will be provided to wrap your own gifts.
Registration is required;
FREE, Zoom
You must register*
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Club 21 Kids – Starting Jan 6, 2023 – 6:00 to 8:00pm
Club 21 kids provides essential learning to those with Down syndrome who benefit from specific education strategies, topics chosen in conjunction with individuals with Down syndrome and their families, and a fun, and supportive atmosphere! This biweekly program allows individuals aged 13 and under to hang out and build lasting relationships with new and old friends! Each week will contain activities geared towards key skills such as to encourage friendship, positive social/emotional behaviours, active listening, effective communication, and comprehension of social norms. To help in understanding non-verbal communication, body language, unspoken social rules and to promote self-esteem and build confidence and of course have fun!
Special events will include opportunities for sibling involvement, cooking nights, dancing nights, and social outings to swimming or movies.
- Drop-in fee $5 (parents and respite workers/caregivers are free
- Friends and siblings welcome ($10.00 drop-in fee) if participating.
- Check EDSS Members Facebook page, “Families of the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society” and watch your Friday email blasts for updates
- Location: Edmonton Down Syndrome Society – 9139 39 Ave NW (unless otherwise stated)
- We will run IN-PERSON sessions biweekly starting Friday, January 6th, 2023, with some exceptions listed below
No Club 21 Kids- February 17, March 3, March 31, And April 28, 2023
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Club 21- Starting January 13, 2023 – 7:00 to 9:00pm
Virtual Fitness – Every Friday and Monday at 5:30 pm
Classes focus on functional, body weight exercises, making them safe and effective, with NO EQUIPMENT required. Fitness should be made accessible to you, regardless of your circumstance.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7059695848
Drop-in
FREE, via Zoom
No Fitness February 20, 2023
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Bowling
Where: Bonnie Doon Bowling Lanes
When: Start September 10th at 10:00 am Sharp
Cost: $30.00 Registration Fee, Weekly fee $12.00
Ends: Sometime in April, date to be determined
This is League Bowling not a drop in, players are on teams of 5.
Ages: All ages
Registration is required
NO Drop in
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Basketball
Where: Edith Rodgers Jr. High School
When: Sept. 27 Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Ends: April 18, 2023 (yet to be confirmed)
Ages. 13+
Cost: $20 for the season
No drop in
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Family Movie Night- March 11, 2023
Bring the sleeping bags, blankets and the family out for a family night of movie fun! Join us Saturday March 11th, 6-8 pm for slumber party themed fun and a movie the whole family is sure to love. We will be showing an awesome family movie on our huge projector at EDSS’s office. We’ll be serving popcorn and drinks as well!
Where: Edmonton Down Syndrome Society – 9139 39 Ave NW
When: March 11th, 2023, Saturday 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Ages. All Ages
Cost: $10 per family
RSVP to admin@edss.ca
No drop in
Movie TBD.
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Valentine Dance – February 11, 2023 – 7:00pm to 9:00 pm
TBA
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EDSS Adult - Pizza and beer night – February 25 – 5:00pm to 9:00pm
This is a great opportunity for adults to make friends and for parents to have a night off. This event will be chaperoned by EDSS staff and contractors.
- They will need to get to and from the restaurant by themselves by parents, caregivers, DATS etc.
- If there are dietary restrictions, we will need to know.
- If they are allowed to drink is there a limit?
We will have a training session for any adults that do not know how to use their debit card or need help with cash so they can be as independent as possible on the night out.
Maximum attendance: 10 – 12 people
Please RSVP before January 17th, so we can book a training session.
Please RSVP to julie@edss.ca or email if you have questions.
Wonder Years Workshop for New Parents – April 16, 2023 – 9:30am – 3:30pm
The Wonder Years Workshop is a unique program that EDSS runs approximately every 18 months. It is a day for new parents of children under 3 years old (older if they are new to EDSS, up to 4)
As a parent of a child with Down syndrome aged 0-3 years old, you and your spouse are invited to attend the Wonder Years Workshop! This workshop is a great resource for families as it covers many topics related to Down syndrome, as well as provides an opportunity to connect with other parents who may share similar experiences.
We will discuss topics such as how to navigate the health care system; members of our EDSS staff will highlight available resources and services; we will have guest speakers and members of the EDSS Visiting Parents Team and other parents will provide other valuable resources throughout the day. Previous Wonder Years Workshops received excellent feedback; participants shared that they left the session feeling informed, hopeful, and excited about the relationships they had established.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please RSVP as there is limited space to Julie@edss.ca.
There is no cost to this workshop.
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EDSS Adult Dinner out– April 22, 2023 – 6:00pm to 9:00pm
EDSS adults are going out for dinner! Is your adult with Ds looking to mingle more with their friends and their peers? Trying out new restaurants in Edmonton on a social evening out?
We are going to be choosing a restaurant to have dinner at with adults over the age of 18. There will be EDSS employees and contractors there to support. Each adult will get their own bill and pay themselves with help if needed.
- They will need to get to and from the restaurant by themselves by parents, caregivers, DATS etc.
- If there are dietary restrictions, we will need to know.
- If they are allowed to drink is there a limit?
We will have a training session for any adults that do not know how to use their debit card or need help with cash so they can be as independent as possible on the night out.
Maximum attendance: 10-12 people
Please RSVP before February 16th, so we can book a training session.
Please RSVP to julie@edss.ca or email if you have questions.
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Fun and Rhythm for all!
For our kids/ adults, I have shakers and other rhythm instruments that can be used in case anyone finds it too loud. Using a mallet will help with volume level. I’d like to use some rhythms that use left & right hands independently, and then both hands together. Also do some simple counting & follow the leader type games. Keep it simple & fun!
Benefits of drumming for children with special needs.
- Increase Communication and Speech - Drums can reinforce speech, vocalizations, sounds and even help with sentence building. You can use drumming to reinforce word syllables and then expand to full sentences.
- Support Eye-Hand Coordination/Motor Skills - Drumming can help strengthen upper body control, arm movement, and increase eye-hand coordination. Drumming with mallets helps with reaching, grasping, fluidity of movement and fine motor skills.
- Develop Social Skills - Groups drumming, with the proper facilitation, is a powerful exercise for people of all ages to strengthen social skills. Group drumming teaches children to listen, pay attention, turn-taking, sharing, and taking cues from one another.
- Support Emotional Needs/Impulse Control - Drumming can help a child learn to regulate their emotions. It can be very useful for expressing emotions and to "get it out." Drumming can vent aggressions, and invite in a calmer state of mind, particularly improve impulse control.
- Improve Self-Esteem and Fun! - Drumming is catchy and can be a lot of fun.
Drumming combines motor movement with auditory and visual feedback, which makes it a great tool for strengthening a variety of skills for children with special needs. Since drumming is multi-sensory, it facilitates greater engagement, encourages learning, brain function, and skill building all while having fun! I have seen drumming to be very effective for my clients. I hope you'll give it a try!
March 25, 2023
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
$5 per person (includes drum)
45-to-1-hour per session
Registration is required; spaces are limited.
Maximum Registrants: 15
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Joey Moss Literacy Centre of Excellence Presents – Independent and Functional Skills Centre
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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AM: 9:30am- 12:30pm |
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Literacy: Reader’s Theatre |
Vocational Skills |
Literacy: Writer’s Workshop |
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Relationships and Social Boundaries |
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PM: 1:30pm- 4:30pm |
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Numeracy: Number Concepts |
Numeracy: Meaning- Filled Math |
Independent Living |
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Programming runs: January 16, 2022, to April 29, 2023 – (15 weeks)
Literacy: Reader’s Theatre – Tuesday’s 9:30am-12:30pm
This program is intended for registrants who would like to expand their skills in reading for a variety of reasons. As humans, we read to serve many purposes in our lives. The focus of this program will be to support growth and development in both decoding words (the mechanics of reading) and reading comprehension (the function of reading). The program will explore the reasons we read, such as reading for pleasure, reading to learn, and reading for independence. As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. This means that all skill levels are welcomed and appreciated. Programming will be designed to encourage participation from all registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. The program begins with a reading assessment for all individuals and each program is tailored to the individual in the program. If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us Tuesdays from 9:30am-12:30pm. Cost: $485.00 for 15 weeks.
Literacy: Writer’s Workshop – Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm
In this program, participants will work on all aspects of written communication. We will focus on the form of writing (e.g., printing, capitalization, punctuation) as well as the function of writing (i.e., writing lists, writing to communicate). Each week will have participants engaging in varied writing activities. Participants in the program will work toward becoming authors and creating their own works to share with their families and communities. As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. This means that all skill levels are welcomed and appreciated. Programming will be designed to encourage participation from all registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. The program begins with a writing assessment for all individuals and each program is tailored to the individual in the program. If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us Thursday from 9:30am-12:30pm. Cost: $485.00 for 15 weeks.
Numeracy: Number Concepts – Tuesdays 1:30-4:30pm
Building number sense is an important skill to build independence and work toward autonomy. Number sense includes concepts such as number recognition, taking apart and putting numbers back together (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), mental computations, and relating numbers to real life situations. As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. This means that all skill levels are welcomed and appreciated. Programming will be designed to encourage participation from all registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. The program begins with a numeracy assessment for all individuals and each program is tailored to the individual in the program.
If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us Tuesday from 1:30-4:30pm. Cost: $630.00 for 15 weeks.
Numeracy: Meaning-Filled Math – Wednesdays 1:30-4:30pm
Nearly every situation in our lives has a numeracy aspect. Whether this is being able to tell time, create schedules for ourselves, formulate a budget, or use money to pay for the items we need and want from the store, numeracy concepts are important. This program has been designed to help participants build these skills in real-life situations and scenarios. As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. This means that all skill levels are welcomed and appreciated. Programming will be designed to encourage participation from all registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. The program begins with a numeracy assessment for all individuals and each program is tailored to the individual in the program. If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us Wednesday from 1:30-4:30pm. Cost: $630.00 for 15 weeks.
Vocational Skills – Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm
This program is designed for registrants who are looking for employment, or who are currently employed but looking for other opportunities. The focus of this program will be to build skills and capacities that will prepare for future employment opportunities. Each month, the program will target the main components of different jobs (i.e., retail, warehouse, restaurant, coffee shop, recreational services, etc). In the program, registrants will learn and practice the components of these jobs, as well as discussing professional attributes (i.e., how to be on time, writing a resume, professional conduct, etc). This is a great resume booster and will help to ensure registrants are confident while approaching the workplace. As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. This means that all skill levels are welcomed and appreciated.
Programming will be designed to encourage participation from all registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us Wednesdays from 9:30am- 12:30pm. Cost: $500.00 for 15 weeks.
Independent Living – Thursdays 1:30-4:30pm
This program is designed for registrants who are looking to build independence and gain autonomy. The focus of this program will be independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, and money management, among others. Registrants will gain tools and strategies to become more responsible for their own wellbeing and build competence in managing their day-to-day lives. As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. This program has been scheduled for Thursday afternoons to be accessible by individuals who are currently attending high school and can join us on early dismissal days. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. This means that all skill levels are welcomed and appreciated. Programming will be designed to encourage participation from all registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us.
Thursdays from 12:30-3:30pm. Cost: $500.00 for 15 weeks.
Relationships and Social Boundaries – EVERY SECOND SATURDAY 10am-12pm
In conversations do you find that you are having a hard time keeping up with the newest fling in your family member’s life? Do they seem to move from partner to partner on a whim?
Relationships and Social Boundaries may be the answer you’ve been looking for! This program is intended for young adults who are looking to break into the dating scene but may need some coaching to be able to do so safely (and without rushing into marriage!) Throughout the program we will explore different types of relationships (e.g., family, friends, dating) and discuss how to transition between a friendship and a potential partner. We will also discuss safety rules, such as how to navigate online communication, what scams are, and how to know when it is safe to give your phone number to someone you’ve just met! This program will also discuss subjects such as consent, body autonomy, and all other things you may not want to talk to your parents about! As this program has been designed for individuals with diagnoses, a main component will be fostering communication and social skills. This will be done through explicit teaching, as well as continued practice. Each program offered by the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society is developed and designed to be responsive to the registrants. The program facilitators are certificated teachers with a combined 15-years’ experience implementing programming for individuals with diagnoses at various ages and skill levels. If this sounds like it would be of interest for you or a family member, please join us every second Saturday from 10:00am-12:00pm. Cost: $150.00 for 6 weeks