Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC)

06/04/2026

🎉 WIN 3 tickets to the Red Sox Down Syndrome Awareness Night at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 14!

Here’s how: register as a Buddy Walk Team Captain and raise at least $150 by June 10 to be entered to win. It’s a great way to kick off your fundraising and get in on something special!

(Eligibility applies to Team Captains for Buddy Walk in Wakefield AND Buddy Walk in Your Own Community.)

Register at mdscbuddywalk.com.

This year has a little extra something special — you’ll have a chance to catch Jake Burger, #21 of the Texas Rangers and the only active MLB player with a child with Down syndrome, in action at Fenway! ⚾️💙💛

Deadline to enter: June 10!

Two Ways to Buddy Walk in 2026 About the Buddy Walk The MDSC Buddy Walk® Program gives individuals, schools, community groups, and local businesses across the state an opportunity to get involved in fundraising campaigns and events year-round, all intended to promote the acceptance and inclusion of...

06/03/2026

Not able to join live? You can still register for MDSC’s final Education Webinar of the school year happening TONIGHT:

Friends Matter! Promoting Friendship and Social Connections During the Summer.

Dr. Zachary Rossetti will share evidence-based and practical facilitation and direct support strategies to promote social connections outside of school and during the summer months.

Date: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:30pm ET
Registration: $10
Register here: https://mdsc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NVxgNHCMTyKvcwEBjVbu1g

06/02/2026

We had the BEST Friday night with the Dance Inn! 🌅✨ Our adult group enjoyed a beautiful sunset soirée filled with festive decorations, delicious snacks, friends, and plenty of dancing. A huge thank you to DJ Dan and Matt for keeping the music going all night and making it such a fun and memorable evening. We can’t wait for the next one!

05/29/2026

⚾️ Our annual Down Syndrome Awareness Game at Fenway is coming up on Sunday, June 14 — and this year carries a little extra special meaning!

Rangers first baseman Jake Burger is the only active MLB player with a child with Down syndrome. He and his wife Ashlyn have been passionate advocates for the Ds community since welcoming their daughter Penelope in 2024, including through their Burger Family Foundation. And did we mention that Jake wears #21 💙💛?

While we'll be cheering on the Red Sox, we might just have a soft spot for #21 in the visiting dugout! 😄

Join us at Fenway for a night of community, awareness, and baseball — and help us cheer on our loved ones with Down syndrome!
🎟️ Tickets: $67 each (limit 8 per family)
🎤 Pre-game ceremony: approximately 7pm
⚾️ Game time: 7:20pm
📧 Questions or accessible seating: [email protected]
Get your tickets 👉 https://mdsc.donordrive.com/redsox2026

05/29/2026

✏️FINAL EDUCATION WEBINAR!

We invite you to join MDSC’s final Education Webinar of the school year, next Wednesday, June 3rd from 7-8:30pm, which will focus on friendship and social connections throughout the summer.

💛 Friends Matter! Promoting Friendship and Social Connections During the Summer

💛Presented by: Zach Rossetti, Ph.D. Associate Professor/Special Education, Boston University

•Date: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
•Time: 7:00-8:30pm ET
•Registration: $10
•Registration link: https://mdsc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NVxgNHCMTyKvcwEBjVbu1g

💛Description:
Friendships are personally valuable and developmentally important relationships for all people, yet friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities remain infrequent. Extant research indicates that (a) opportunity barriers play a more prominent role in friendship than an individual's skills or behaviors, and (b) direct support from adults (e.g., educators, families) is a critical facilitator of friendships. This presentation shares evidence-based and practical facilitation and direct support strategies to promote social connections outside of school and during the summer months.

This session will be recorded.

05/28/2026

☀️ Western Mass families — our annual summer picnic is coming up!

We're partnering with the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Mass (DSRGWM) to host a picnic at Look Memorial Park in Florence, and we'd love to see you there.

📅 Sunday, July 26 | 10:30am–2:30pm
📍 Look Memorial Park Mini-Shelter, 300 N Main St, Florence, MA
🅿️ Free parking — just tell them you're there with MDSC at the booth
Pack your lunch and swim gear for the splash pad — we'll provide snacks and fun activities for all ages!

👉 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/Rv9EEmGd3BAWFCCy5

We can't wait to relax and enjoy summertime together! 😎

Also coming up: Don't miss our Red Sox Awareness Game at Fenway (June 14) and Father's Day at Kimball Farm (June 21)! More info and ticket links in the comments 👇

05/26/2026

💫 UPCOMING WEBINAR

Expressive Arts Therapy for Individuals with Memory Loss
Monday, June 1
12:00-1:30pm ET

Franci DuMar, MA, RDT, CDP, CDCP, Clinical Expressive Arts Therapist, Registered Drama Therapist, Clear Guidance, LLC

Part of the MDSC Center on Down Syndrome & Aging 2026 Webinar Series

🔗 to learn more and register, visit mdsc.org/center-on-down-syndrome-and-aging

05/21/2026

Chase is a legend. 🎉

Happy birthday and congratulations on your last day in the Mashpee School system — we're so proud of you!

As we close out the school year, we want to celebrate ALL of our graduates! Whether your child or student is finishing preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, or college — share your graduation photos with us and we'll celebrate them on social media!

📧 [email protected]
📸 Instagram:
👍 Facebook:

05/18/2026

TOMORROW!

Join us tomorrow evening, May 18th, for an important education webinar with Dr. McDaid focused on helping students successfully transition from more restrictive settings into general education classrooms. This session will explore practical strategies, planning tools, and supports that can help schools create smoother transitions and improve long-term outcomes for students. Whether you are a parent, teacher, administrator, or support professional, this webinar will provide valuable takeaways to support inclusive practices in your school community.

Can't attend live? No worries! Register below to access the recording!

https://mdsc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WcAOkNwiTJiiD6IfLbOl4A

🎓 UPCOMING EDUCATION WEBINAR!

Designing Successful Transitions into General Education Classrooms for Students with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities

Presented by Dr. Patricia McDaid, Ed.D.

The transition from sub-separate classrooms or outside placements to a general education classroom can be challenging for both students and staff. When students and staff do not receive the necessary support, the student often end up "bouncing back" to a more restrictive environment. In this presentation, Dr. McDaid will provide strategies and transition planning documents to increase the likelihood of a smooth transition for students, teachers, and staff.

🕒 1.5 hours of professional development
🎥 This webinar will be recorded
🔗 Register here:
https://mdsc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WcAOkNwiTJiiD6IfLbOl4A