PE Down Syndrome Association - PEDSA

03/05/2026

Lots of Zoom Rooms coming up in the week ahead! 😁

03/05/2026

It's that time of the year...where DSSA starts to gather photo's of individuals with Down syndrome for our 2027 calendar.

The competition will be running on our social media with each age group getting a chance to enter.

Right now, it's time for the little ones to enter for the January 2027 page!

29/04/2026

Please see DSSA's event and Zoom Room schedule for the month of May...

29/04/2026

EDUCATION

Have your say on education for children with disabilities in South Africa.

Down Syndrome South Africa, in formal research partnership with ShonaquipSE, is undertaking a national data collection project focused on the education experiences of children with disabilities under the age of 18.

This initiative aims to gather evidence on access to Early Childhood Development (ECD), school placement, inclusive education practices, support provision, and family experiences to strengthen advocacy, inform policy development, and improve education systems nationally.

This survey is for research and statistical purposes only and can be completed by children with disabilities, siblings, parents, guardians, family members, teachers, carers, centre staff, and other professionals providing care and support to children under 18.

Available in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu and Setswana.
Complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/7T1y6nkcVuSx5i997
Need the survey in a different language? Please contact us.

Down Syndrome South Africa (DSSA), in formal research partnership with ShonaquipSE, is undertaking a coordinated national data collection initiative focused on the education experiences of children with disabilities (younger than 18 years of age). This initiative aims to gather evidence on access to...

29/04/2026

Good morning!

'Menopause and Down's Syndrome' resource available.

Please give it a read by clicking here:https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Menopause_-FINAL_20.04.26.pdf

23/04/2026

STRATFIN is hosting a very informative Medical TaxBack Webinar re learning difficulties and would love to extend this opportunity to your parent body (and professionals).

Tuesday, 12 May at 7pm

Families navigating challenges such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain or learning difficulties may qualify for a SARS tax refund that can help cover:

* Medical aid premiums
* Therapy costs (OT, speech, psychology, etc.)
* Remedial school fees

Under Section 6B, these refunds can be significant, and through Stratfin, claims can be backdated for up to 3 years.

For more information or to join the webinar:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/bdf37px2

For immediate assistance:
Jayde – 069 041 8693

22/04/2026

DSSA shared this from the Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center, USA:

Join us next week for our webinar on the autonomic nervous system!

From Heart Rate to Digestion: Autonomic Nervous System Function in People with Down Syndrome
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. CDT (7 - 8pm in South Africa)

Brian Chicoine, MD, will highlight key differences in autonomic nervous system function in people with Down syndrome, how these differences may influence symptoms or responses to stress and illness, and interventions to help reduce their impact or support improved function of the organ affected. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session.

Can't attend live? Register to receive a link to the recording (emailed within 1 week of the webinar). Learn more and register at the link below!

🔗

The autonomic nervous system controls vital automatic body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, urinary function, and temperature regulation. In many people with Down syndrome, the autonomic nervous system functions differently which can affect a wide range of bodily processes. T...

21/04/2026

😃 We're happy to have received some photo's from some of the Pathcare labs on the day of our Rock Your Socks campaign during March!

Pathcare is a long-time supporter of PEDSA and we appreciate your unwavering support every year - thanks to all staff who enthusiastically participate!

The photo's are from Pathcare P*P: CID Manual department, Pathcare Emalahleni and Pathcare Westbourne Road.

💚💙

20/04/2026

FROM DOWN'S SYNDROME ASSOCIATION (UK):

Our free, on-demand webinars look at the dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autism. The first part is for people who are thinking of pursuing a diagnosis. The second part looks at what support might be useful for those who have a diagnosis or are waiting.

An introduction to the dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autism: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/training/recording-an-introduction-to-the-dual-diagnosis-of-downs-syndrome-and-autism/

Supporting people who have Down’s Syndrome and autism: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/training/recording-supporting-people-with-a-dual-diagnosis-of-downs-syndrome-and-autism/

Watch a recording of our webinar on supporting people with a dual diagnosis of Down's syndrome and autism

17/04/2026

Teens and adults, Bingo Room will be held next Friday at 6pm - register now and have some fun! 😻

17/04/2026

Join NDSS, the HealthMatters™ Program, and UIC for a free webinar with Dr. Brian Chicoine on April 21st from 1-2pm EST (so it will be 7-8pm in South AFrica) to learn about Promoting Brain Health Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Down Syndrome.

➡️ We will cover a proactive, lifespan approach that extends beyond a sole focus on dementia.

➡️ Dr. Brian Chicoine, Medical Director at the Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center, will guide participants through ways to maintain brain health throughout life, emphasizing health promotion, strengths-based care, and the importance of supporting cognitive well-being.

➡️ Participants will examine common misconceptions about brain health in individuals with Down syndrome and understand why brain health conversations should begin early and continue across the lifespan.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹, 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦.

Register for the recorded webinar here: https://uic.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kv7ao3KWTu-CZreYQlvdwg #/registration

17/04/2026

Fun Room coming up on Monday! 😀

Remember to register if you're keen to join!