DSC Learning Strategies

The DSC Learning Strategies is a monthly course for parents to learn best practices for their child's academic development, acquire strategies for planning and supporting home learning, and build community with other parents in the DS community.

2023-2024 Registration is open!

 

Curriculum

The DSC Learning Strategies is a literacy and numeracy strategy and practice for students with Down syndrome and their parents and caregivers. The parents will learn about best practices for their child’s academic development, gain strategies for planning and supporting home learning, and build community with other parents in the DSC community. Additionally, parents will be able to develop their understanding of key literacy and numeracy concepts and discover skills for engaging their children in home learning. 

The children and their parents/caregivers will meet on Saturdays at the DSC Campus in Seattle. Families will receive take-home materials every month to support learning at home. The program will run from September 2023 to May 2024.

Program Core Objectives:

●       Practices & Strategies for supporting learning at home

●       Build community with other school age parents

●       Develop understanding of key literacy and numeracy concepts

●       Learn more about effective behavioral strategies for engaging their children in learning activities

●       Participate in monthly sessions covering content on student learning 

●       Explore child’s education planning during course workshops on IEPs, home-school collaboration, inclusion, & self-determination

The program is broken down into two levels:

Level 1 (Preschool to 1st grade)

Meets One Saturday Monthly: 10:00am-10:50am at the DSC Campus

This class is best suited for families of students that are beginning to show an interest in letters and numbers and can attend to an activity for 5-10 minutes.

Children of all potty-training abilities are welcome to participate. Take-home materials will be given to families every month to help parents and caregivers reinforce student learning at home.

Level 2 (1st grade to 3rd grade)

Meets One Saturday Monthly: 11:10am-12:00pm at the DSC Campus

Level 2 is geared towards families with a child between the ages of 6-10, or 1st to 4th grade, depending on skill level.  Students entering this class should have a solid foundation of Level 1 skills and a bank of sight words.

Take-home materials will be given to families every month to help parents and caregivers reinforce student learning at home.

Get Expert Support for Your Child's Educational Growth & Development at the DSC Campus This School Year

2023-2024 Classroom

The DSC Learning Strategies will run from September 2023 to May 2024, and is taught and facilitated by DSC instructors who are trained and experienced in supporting students with Down syndrome and their parents.

Classroom

The in-person program will meet at DSC on Saturdays. The learners will meet with their instructors in a classroom, while the parents and caregivers meet with their instructor in the conference room. The goal of LP is to empower parents as first teachers and advocates for their learners and to improve academic outcomes.

2023 Schedule:

  • Saturday, October 7th 

  • Saturday, November 18th  

  • Saturday, December 9th 

  • Saturday, January 13th  

  • Saturday, February 10th 

  • Saturday, March 9th 

  • Saturday, April 20th

  • Saturday, May 18th 

  • Saturday, June 8th (added to make up for September 23rd cancelled session)

 Instructors

  • Alison Wilhelm, M.Ed

    Alison is currently a third-year doctoral student Special Education at the University of Washington. Her passion is to pursue inclusive, equitable and academically rigorous instruction for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At UW, she is the current project coordinator for the Reading Development Project and an instructional coach for the SPED teacher preparation program. She previously earned her Master of Education and Bachelor’s degrees from Vanderbilt University. Prior to beginning her Ph.D., she taught for 8 years in a variety of educational settings in Nashville Public Schools. She has worked with young children through young adults with developmental disabilities, and collaborated closely with parents, practitioners, and researchers during her time in the field. Alison and her family are enjoying getting to know and explore the Pacific Northwest!

  • Leia Steffas

    DSC Program Director & Special Education Middle School Teacher for Bellevue School District.

    A special education middle school teacher for the Bellevue School District, Leia has been immersed in inclusive school environments from the time she was in elementary school until graduation, where she supported peers with disabilities in special education classrooms and afterschool sports programs.

Tuition

The tuition of $2400 per family is subsidized by generous donors and grants, allowing for families to pay a one-time, non-refundable $350 which includes class materials.

LOCATION

DSC Campus

4746 11th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98105

*DSC Now Accepts DDA Hours for this Program. If you will be using DDA Hours, please email contact@dscpugetsound.org before registering.

Financial Aid available upon request.

"I cannot say enough good things about this program! We’re currently enrolled in Level 1 and have learned so much already! The reading and math activities have not only helped my daughter academically, but they’ve also become a fun family activity. The instructors are phenomenal, as they not only provide tips for learning, but also strategies for handling challenging behavior that can arise. Phoebe also loves playing with her friends while I am in class and is always excited to attend. I highly recommend this amazing program to all families!"

—Molly L.

 

 Registration

The DSC Learning Strategies is open to children in Pre-School – 6th Grade. 

Each family must complete a registration form and complete the tuition payment by the registration deadline.