Emily Perl Kingsley to deliver Keynote:  “Thirty Four Years with Down syndrome. The ‘ups’, the ‘downs’. What I've learned from life with Jason.”

As a writer and activist for children with special needs her experiences with her son Jason (an actor with Down syndrome) inspired her to include people with disabilities into the Sesame Street cast. She has received 17 Emmy Awards and 13 Emmy nominations for her work on SESAME STREET.

Ms. Kingsley will be presenting two workshops:

Workshop: How To Create a Stimulating Environment for your Child:  An informal, hands-on workshop on making the time spent with your child as educational and productive as possible.  She will share ideas on creating inexpensive hand-made educational materials, games, learning experiences.  How to have fun while your child is learning. 

Workshop: Sesame Street:  Thirty eight years with Sesame Street - the history, the philosophy, the curriculum, anecdotes, memories, video clips.  Also the history of the inclusion of children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities on Sesame Street.  She will answer your questions and.... she will share the secrets of how Cookie Monster, Snuffleupagus and Big Bird work!!

Nikole Whitehead is the co-founder of the STatewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities, Inc. (STAND), an organization dedicated to assisting parents navigate the special education system.  She has served in the organization helping parents one on one and providing training seminars on a volunteer basis since its inception in 1996.  Mrs. Whitehead has also presented at conferences across the state such as Family CAFÉ and Partners in Policymaking, as well as serving as a resource member to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.  She is a past Board member of the national Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). 

Nikole is the mother of four children ages 6 months to 22 years, two of whom have Down syndrome.  She and her husband, Dr. Keith Whitehead are also known for their precedent setting legal case in which the school district of Hillsborough County, was found guilty of retaliating against them for advocating for their son, Andrew, who has disabilities.  The knowledge gained during this litigation as well as a commitment to helping families has allowed Mrs. Whitehead to develop programs designed to help educate parents and professionals on the most current provisions of educational law.

Workshop: Cruising Through Your Child’s Special Education:
Nikole Whitehead will present an overview of the foundations of a good educational plan.  Tips on working with educators, how to write an individualized program, and how to be an effective partner in your child’s education will be discussed.  Learn about your rights, responsibilities, and how to “cruise” through your next IEP.

Dr. Sindoor Desai, a dentist and mother to Sujeet has spent the past 10 years traveling with her husband Dr. Sharad and Sujeet around the world, sharing his music and his story through his power point workshops. Bringing inspiration & hope to individuals with disabilities, their parents, educators, professional who work with them. The message sent is ““Listen to your child, even if they are non verbal.  Trust their instincts. Allow them to explore, and they will learn. They will make things happen . With their abilities they will make many  impossible missions possible one.” 

Workshop: Improvising Disability with Music
Researchers over the centuries show that human nervous system is like a symphony orchestra with different rhythms, melodies which keep human brain synchronized. When part of the brain is damaged or defective (like one in individuals born with Down syndrome) the natural rhythm of the brain & body is disturbed or not stimulated at all. At this time if an external stimulus is applied to the brain the neurological rhythm can be restored to bring back the body in tune. This external stimuli can be in any form such as music, dance, drama, relaxation techniques, art, massages and much more. The healthcare professionals call this as an alternative therapy, which they have stated has a successful outcome when traditional therapies fail.

Jason Andrew Kingsley was born on June 27, 1974 in New York City.  When he was about 10 hours old, Jason’s parents were informed that he was born with Down syndrome. The obstetrician’s prognosis was grim - that the child would never accomplish very much - and his recommendation was specific - that the family should institutionalize Jason immediately and tell their friends and family that he had died in childbirth. Charles and Emily Kingsley decided to disregard this advice. 

On entering public school at five, Jason was accepted into classes designated for youngsters with mild learning disabilities. In addition to reading at four, Jason was adept at picking up phrases in foreign languages.  At the age of seven, he was able to count to ten in 12 languages. 

Jason’s  has appeared on Sesame Street, the first youngster with Down syndrome to be on the show.  He also appeared on All My Children, The Fall Guy and Touched By An Angel.  Jason filmed scenes in his first feature film, Julien.(1999) Jason has made numerous appearances on television and radio news programs, speaking about the potential and capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome.  Articles about Jason have appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines.

Jason has received many honors and awards in recognition of his contribution towards better understanding and acceptance of people with developmental disabilities, including the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation Families Award which was given to him at Rose Kennedy’s gala 100th Birthday Celebration.

Jason collaborated with a close friend, Mitchell Levitz, who also has Down syndrome, on a book called COUNT US IN: GROWING UP WITH DOWN SYNDROME.  COUNT US IN appeared on the UPI Best Seller List and has won numerous awards.  Jason is pleased with the reception the book has had so far, commenting that once people get to know people with disabilities, “strangers will become our friends.”

Susanne Hall, MSW, CAPP has worked with students receiving special educational services and families, in the Florida Public School System since 1995. She has worked for non-profit agencies dealing with issues such as developmentally delayed, addiction, elderly, child abuse, and mental health. She was also in private practice for six years. Ms. Hall is the leader for the District Crisis Response Team and holds a National Certification with the International Critical Stress Foundation.

Workshop: Sibling Workshop