Down Syndrome Awareness Month

 

 

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed a resolution making October “National Down’s Syndrome Month”.  More than 3 decades later, administrations have changed, terminology has changed, but we still celebrate October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

 

 

 

Are you wondering how to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month?  Here are just a few ideas!

• Attend a MDSN gathering.
• Sign up to volunteer and an upcoming MDSN event.
• Join one of MDSN’s committees.
• Join MDSN on Facebook.
• Follow MDSN on Twitter.
• Post a fact about Down syndrome each day as your Facebook status.
• Organize a “Denim for Down Syndrome” day at your school or office.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about celebrating Down syndrome.
• Get involved with MDSN’s Governmental Affairs Committee.
• Contact your representatives.
• Encourage your local library to highlight and display books about Down syndrome (they all have them, thanks to MDSN’s Book Donation Project)
• Give a talk to your child’s class about Down syndrome.
• Sign the r-word pledge and encourage others to do the same.
• Ask your mayor, or town or city council to proclaim that October is “Down Syndrome Awareness Month”.
• Suggest that your book club read a book that has a character with Down syndrome.
• Send your child’s teacher(s) and therapist(s) a thank you note.
• Encourage your child’s teacher(s) and therapist(s) to attend MDSN’s Annual Conference
• Sign up to attend MDSN’s Annual Conference yourself!

MDSN is also offering a Down Syndrome Awareness Month Celebration Kit for Classrooms.  The kit has a cost of $5, and contains information and resources for teachers, lesson plan ideas, and 25 silicone awareness bracelets.  If you’d like to purchase a kit, please contact us.  Please note that due to limited supplies, these kits are for Maine residents only.