Speaker Series Overview

The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA (DSMIG-USA®) Speaker Series consists of webinars and enduring materials designed to share knowledge and experience related to the care of children and adults with Down syndrome and clinical research related to Down syndrome. The intended audience includes primary care physicians, specialty physicians, advanced practice providers, psychologists, dietitians, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, genetic counselors, research scientists, residents, and trainees. The education includes live webinars that will be recorded and posted later as enduring materials. There will be a separate registration for the enduring programs.

To view recordings of previous sessions, visit our Learning Library. 

Click here to register for the upcoming Speaker Series presentation on Dec. 5, 2024!

Next Speaker Series Presentation: 

Supporting Healthy Sexuality in the Healthcare Setting for your Patients with Down Syndrome
December 5, 2023, 7-8 p.m. ET. 
Terri Couwenhoven, MS, CSE and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L

Terri Couwenhoven, M.S. is an AASECT certified sexuality educator who specializes in developing programs and resources for people who have cognitive disabilities, their families and the professionals who support them. She is author of Teaching Children with Down syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, The Girls’ Guide to Growing Up: Choices and Changes in the Tween Years, A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up: Choices & Changes during Puberty and Boyfriends & Girlfriends: A Guide to Dating for People with Disabilities.

When she is not teaching or writing, she is the Clinic Coordinator for the Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin. She is also the mother of two girls. Her oldest daughter has Down syndrome.

Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, has worked as an occupational therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center since 2016 and in the field of occupational therapy since 2001. She also serves as the president of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA. Dr. Frank earned her degree in occupational therapy from Saint Louis University and her PhD in Disability Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Most of her work has been with individuals with Down syndrome of all ages. Dr. Frank’s experience includes treatment and evaluation as well as facilitating groups for people with Down syndrome, conducting trainings for staff, families, and caregivers, and offering a variety of other educational opportunities across the United States. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Objectives:

  1. Participants will understand how attitudes impact sexuality education. 
  2. Participants will learn common sexuality concerns reported by families. 
  3. Participants will identify helpful roles and resources for supporting families in their healthcare practice. 

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPEAKER SERIES SUPPORTERS:

Speaker Series Supporters