World-renowned speech and language expert Dr. Libby Kumin to receive Global Down Syndrome Foundation Award of Excellence

Founder of Speech and Language Down Syndrome Center for Excellence will educate professionals and parents on best practices May 4 and 5 in Denver

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Denver, CO – On May 4 and 5, 2012, world-renowned speech and language expert, Dr. Libby Kumin, will be in Denver to educate professionals and parents at the Global Down Syndrome Educational Series regarding best practices for children and adults with Down syndrome. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the public charity that organizes the Series, will present Dr. Kumin with the “Global Down Syndrome Foundation Award in Excellence in Education.”

Dr. Kumin is a world-renowned speech and language expert who has dedicated her career since 1969 to helping people with Down syndrome. She is a professor Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Loyola University, Maryland, where she founded the Loyola University Speech and Language Down Syndrome Center for Excellence in 1980. She also sits on the Professional Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Congress and the Clinical Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Society. Dr. Kumin is the author of several major works, including the seminal book, Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, of which a revised edition will be released this summer.

On Friday, May 4, 2012 Dr. Kumin will be presenting to professionals who work with children and adults with Down syndrome. Professionals in the field of general and special education, school administrators, speech and language therapists and pathologists, teacher’s aides, school nurses, or other professionals who want to learn more about assisting people with Down syndrome to communicate are encouraged to attend.

On Saturday, May 5, 2012 Dr. Kumin will be presenting to parents, grandparents, family, and caregivers regarding existing and emerging strategies that may improve communication skills in children and adults with Down syndrome.

Seats are limited so early registration is recommended. Both days are scheduled from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the JW Marriot Denver Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse St. in Denver (map). The registration fee is $15 per person and $25 per couple and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Simultaneous Spanish translation is available on Saturday, May 5, 2012 only. Christian Ransom Ball Scholarships are available for those in need. To register, please visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org or call 303-807-7898.

The Global Down Syndrome Educational Series attracts world-renowned Down syndrome experts in the fields of education and medical care to Denver twice a year. Each Series spans two days with one full day dedicated to professionals and one full day dedicated to parents and caregivers. Previous speakers include Dr. William I. Cohen, Patricia C. Winders, Dr. Brian Chiccoine, Dr. Dennis McGuire, Dr. Len Leshin, Sue Buckley and Patti McVay.

The Global Down Syndrome Educational Series was established, and is organized by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. The Series has educated more than 2,000 professionals and parents and has an attendance satisfaction rating of over 90%.

About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy. Formally established in 2009, the Foundation’s primary focus is to support the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the first academic home in the US committed to research and medical care for people with the condition. Fundraising and government advocacy that corrects the alarming disparity of national funding for people with Down syndrome is a major short-term goal. The Foundation organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show – the single largest annual fundraiser benefitting people with Down syndrome. Programmatically, the Foundation organizes and funds many programs and conferences including the Dare to Play Football and Cheer Camps, Global Down Syndrome Educational Series and Global Down Syndrome Multi-Language Resource Project. The Foundation is an inclusive organization without political or religious affiliation or intention.

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