Down Syndrome Network of Arizona

10/14/2026

Join us in the Garden this Sunday! Register here: https://dsnetworkaz.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F60966

10/13/2026

Do you know how our DSNetwork song and drum circles got started?

Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration, one phone call, and the right people coming together!

A movie inspired me to call Higher Octave Healing about bringing music and drumming to our teens and young adults with Down syndrome. As luck would have it, their Executive Director, Shelbe, was looking for a Tempe organization to partner with.

And just like that, an amazing collaboration began!

Thanks to the generosity of the Tempe Diablos Charities, our collaborative project came to life with two incredible groups: Uplifted Voices and Upbeat Drums!

Every week from September through June, teens and young adults with Down syndrome come together to sing, drum, connect, and express themselves. The funding provides instruments and an incredible music therapist whom everyone absolutely loves!

Some of our participants may not have many spoken words, but step inside one of these circles, and you'll quickly realize they have plenty to say. It's so much more than music. It's communication, connection, friendship, and belonging.

Tonight, Liam and I had the pleasure of attending the Tempe Diablos Celebrate Giving Reception, and what a wonderful reminder of the power of community!

We loved connecting with so many friends and community partners, including Tetra String Quartet, Pathway to Work, Tempe Parks and Rec, Arizona Educational Foundation, and so many others doing great things in our community.

A huge thank-you to the Tempe Diablos for investing in programs that make a difference and to Higher Octave Healing for being such an incredible partner.

Tempe Diablos Charities
Higher Octave Healing-ORG

10/10/2026

Happening Now! Ribbons in the park on this gorgeous overcast windy day!!

Thanks Alika Victor for the fun movement and ribbon play and Rick Pascale Photography for the photos

10/09/2026

We are grateful to Valley Youth Theatre for inviting our DSNetwork family to The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at Valley Youth Theatre.

Available performances:
*Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m.
*Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 p.m.

From the bestselling book to the Disney+ series, the world of Percy Jackson comes to life on stage. Percy Jackson is the half-blood son of a Greek god with newly discovered powers, an unexpected destiny, and a dangerous quest ahead. Adapted from Rick Riordan’s bestselling book The Lightning Thief and featuring an original rock score, this musical is an action-packed mythical adventure for Percy Jackson fans and newcomers alike.

See important information on our registration page: https://dsnetworkaz.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F60963

10/09/2026

Find all these events and more at https://dsnetworkaz.org/events/

10/08/2026

The kingdom has double the reason to celebrate today! Please join us in giving a round of royal applause to our featured ambassador, Prince Henry, who is not only helping bring our Once Upon a Walk adventure to life but is also celebrating his golden birthday - 8 on the 8th! Happy Birthday Henry!
https://p2p.onecause.com/dswalkaz26/page/ambassador-henry

10/08/2026

Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month by sharing a few (21, to be exact) local and national resources, organizations, and friends in the Down syndrome community throughout October. Down Syndrome Network of Arizona LOVES Champions for Kids-Arizona

Conference Session Spotlight!

Session: Positive Behavior Support. A philosophy? A strategy? An approach? Or All of the Above?
Speaker: Jessica Crain, Family Support Specialist | Encircle Families

Help decrease unwanted behavior and increase preferred behavior by using positive behavior supports in your home and in the community. Examine the role you play in your child’s behavior and learn what to do if behavior becomes an issue at school.

Register: https://azchampions.networkforgood.com/events/99828-2026-champions-for-kids-conference

10/08/2026

Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month by sharing a few (21, to be exact) local and national resources, organizations, and friends in the Down syndrome community throughout October.
Down Syndrome Network of Arizona LOVES National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

Every adoptive family has a story.

There is a reason they opened their hearts and homes.

Maybe they have a child with Down syndrome already.
Maybe they have a family member with Down syndrome.
Maybe they have worked with people with Down syndrome.
Maybe they grew up alongside someone with Down syndrome.
Or maybe they simply felt called to adoption.

There isn't one “right” reason to adopt.

But there is one thing every prospective adoptive family needs:
𝐀 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲.

Want to learn more? https://www.ndsan.org/adoption-process/