Texas Down Syndrome Chat

Season 3, Episode 4 is a Family Spotlight! We talked with Juan Valenzuela and Lizzeth Saldana, who have a 8 year-old son, Dante, who has Down syndrome. They gave us an insight on their pregnancy diagnosis story, their journey with Dante, advice on the importance of advocacy for children, and their time here with the DSASTX. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest family, Juan & Lizzeth, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Be sure to also check out our parent support groups, who meet up every month!D.A.D.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXDADSM.O.M.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXMOMSPlease follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 3, Episode 3, we hop on a call with the team from Disability Rights Texas and discuss transition services including employment for individuals with disabilities, SSI, and even touch on guardianship. Take a listen to resource and information packed episode to hear about more about Disability Rights Texas and all the services and support they provide for families in our community. We thank our guests Jeanie, Preston, and Ted for talking with us this month! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 3, Episode 2 we sit down with Heather Long, Director of Family Support Services (FSS) of The Arc of San Antonio and discuss The Arc & everything you need to know about waiver lists. The Arc of San Antonio serves as a social service home in Bexar and surrounding counties to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and assists their families through their direct care and comprehensive case management programs. Take a listen to this month's episode to hear about The Arc and waiver lists, and also how we work alongside each other to help provide more opportunities to all those in our community. We thank our guest, Heather, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 3 is finally here! Episode 11 of Season 3 is all about CAMP (Children's Association for Maximum Potential)! We sat down with Chief Administrative Officer, Sarah Coulombe and discuss the services and support CAMP offers to  individuals with disabilities - and those who care for them. Sarah shares her journey with CAMP, and gives our listeners all the information and details on how your child and family can begin theirs too! Take a listen to this month's episode to hear about CAMP and also how we work alongside each other to help provide more opportunities to all those in our community. We thank our guest, Sarah, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2, Episode 11 is our last episode of Season 2! Thank you all for coming on this journey with us for YEAR 2 of the Texas Down Syndrome Chat and for listening to every episode this past year! We decided to take this episode to chat about all of the incredible and unforgettable moments and events that happened in 2024. We were joined by DSASTX Executive Director, Brian Lopez for this final episode. The DSASTX is celebrated all year long as this past year was our 30th Anniversary serving the Down syndrome community. Take a listen to this month's episode to hear about all the ways we celebrated and even some of our favorite memories of the year. We hope you enjoy this season's final episode, and thank our guest host, Brian, for coming out to talk with us! Can't wait for all of you to hear what we have in store for 2025! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 2, Episode 10 we sit down with one of the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas' newest Board Members, Oralia Lara-Vargas, and discuss her time with DSASTX, and all her work within Special Education. During the episode, we introduce and discuss more details and information regarding our 2025 DSASTX Education Conference. If you want to know more about our upcoming conference, take a listen to this month's episode! The 2025 DSASTX Education Conference is January 31, 2025! Be sure to check out our website at dsastx.org  for more info and to get registered! We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank you to Oralia for chatting with us, and we thank her for all the time and support she has given to the DSASTX and our community throughout the years! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does. Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2, Episode 9 is a Down Syndrome Awareness Month Special! The DSASTX is celebrating the Down syndrome community all month long and we were so excited to sit down with DSASTX Board Member, and self-advocate, Cristina Kazmierczak. She gave us an insight about who she is, her experiences from grade school till now, and what she has accomplished and hopes to accomplish in the future! We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our special guest, Cristina, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

En el episodio 8 de la temporada 2, Magaly Diaz, la Directora de Educación de DSASTX habla con una madre sobre cómo cambia la vida cuando tienes un hijo con síndrome de Down. Se sienta con Nayeli Arias quien nos cuenta su experiencia con su hija Mariana y cómo su familia recibió su diagnóstico. Esperamos que disfrutes el episodio de este mes y agradezcamos a nuestra invitada, Nayeli, por venir a hablar con nosotros. También esperamos que el Chat sobre el síndrome de Down de Texas apoye, eduque e inspire a nuestros oyentes, ya sea que tengan síndrome de Down o conozcan a alguien que lo tenga.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2, Episode 7 is a Family Spotlight! We talked with DSASTX Mom, Bonnie Silva Montoya, who has a 9 year-old daughter, Ella, with Down syndrome. She shared her story on her pregnancy diagnosis, her journey with Ella, joining and becoming a Parent Mentor for the DSASTX, and her & Ella's experience with coping with grief and loss. We hope you take a listen to this month's episode, and thank our guest, Bonnie, for coming out to talk with us about her and her family. We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Be sure to also check out our parent mentor program below. If you are looking for one or want to become one, please contact Magaly Diaz at mdiaz@dsastx.org or (210) 349-4372.Parent to Parent:  https://bit.ly/DSASTXP2P Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2 /Episode 6  is all about discussing speech and feeding  therapy, with Speech Language Pathologist, Lizbeth Monterrosa, who has over 13 years of experience in working with pediatrics and adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities. We discuss what speech and feeding therapy is and what it can do for children and adults with Down syndrome. We talk about what SLP's work on and all their goals while working with different families. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest Liz, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 2, Episode 5 we catch you all up with all that yet to come for the DSASTX this year! Our Education Director, Magaly Diaz, and I breakdown everything that is coming up this summer and fall, from upcoming special events to Summer Camp, and we even introduce a new and special guest. We chatted with DSASTX's new Program and Outreach Coordinator, Michelle Toudouze, on how she became part of our team, her brother Kyle, and what she hopes for as the newest member to our community. For more information on any events or programs, please visit our website at www.dsastx.org or reach out to any member of our team via email or phone We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank you to Magaly for chatting with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does. Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2, Episode 4 is a 30th Anniversary Special! The DSASTX is celebrating 30 years of serving the Down syndrome community this year. We were so excited to sit down with the first and former Executive Director of the DSASTX, Terri Mauldin.  She gave us an insight on her journey from the very beginning from being a mom to her daughter Stephanie, who has Down syndrome, and how she became a part and helped pave the way to what the DSASTX has become today! She chats about her time and journey here serving as the Executive Director, and shared her stories of creating and establishing  programs and events we have here today... even the DSASTX's first every Walk!!  We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest, Terri, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2, Episode 3 is a Family Spotlight! We talked with Katie and Luke Ryan, who have a 5 year-old son, Levi, who has Down syndrome. They gave us an insight on their pregnancy diagnosis story, their journey with Levi, advice for new parents, and their time here with the DSASTX. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest family, the Ryan's, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Be sure to also check out our parent support groups, who meet up every month!D.A.D.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXDADSM.O.M.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXMOMSPlease follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

On Season 2, Episode 2 of the Texas Down Syndrome Chat we chat about the ARD/IEP meetings! In this episode, we sat down with a very special guest and friend of ours, Juan Hernandez, who is a Special Education Services Manager at Brighton Center, and discussed all about ARD/IEP meetings. He shared his expertise as a parent and an advocate working within special education. He shared his advice and tips on how to navigate ARD/IEP meetings, while giving us an insight on his own experience. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest Juan, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

We are officially in Season 2!  On Season 2, Episode 1 of the Texas Down Syndrome Chat we chat about the upcoming Rise School that is opening THIS AUGUST in San Antonio! In this episode, we sat down with two very special guests, Vanessa Hurd and Taylor English, who is the Rise School of San Antonio co-founder, and discuss details on what the Rise School will entail, the benefits of it, and all the information you need to know about its opening, location, and enrollment process. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guests Vanessa and Taylor, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Visit the Rise School website for further information and enrollment process. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @riseschoolsa/ The Rise School of San Antonio to stay up to date on all that is to come!Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Episode 12 we sit down with special guest, Sarah Savoia, who is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Research Investigator for the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, to educate us on Alzheimer's Disease, brain health, and the ongoing research and study conducted by the Biggs Institute and UTHSC.  To learn more about the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases and their study, please visit https://biggsinstitute.org/ or contact Research Coordinator Sr., Floyd Jones, at 210-450-3158. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest, Sarah, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at https://dsastx.org/ to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

El episodio 11 es otro foco de atención familiar, ¡pero en español! Este episodio es presentado por la Directora de Educación de DSASTX, Magaly Diaz con la invitada especial y una de nuestras mamás de DSASTX, Jessica Zimbron. Hablan de las experiencias de tener una hija con síndrome de Down. Ella nos da una idea de su viaje con su hija Rebeca, el mantenimiento de un hogar bilingüe y el tema de la “educación en el hogar”, y más. Esperamos que disfrutes el episodio de este mes y agradezcamos a nuestra familia invitada, Jessica, por venir a hablar con nosotros. También esperamos que el Chat sobre el síndrome de Down de Texas apoye, eduque e inspire a nuestros oyentes, ya sea que tengan síndrome de Down o conozcan a alguien que lo tenga.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Episode 10 is a Supporter Spotlight! It is our very first one, and it's where we sit down with one of our supporters/donors for the DSASTX , and for our first one, we brought out a special friend, supporter, and overall amazing human being, Yolanda Valenzuela. We talked with Yolanda, who represents the Kym's Angels Foundation as she gave us an insight into her journey in the non profit world, and how she began, what she has done, and what she hopes to continue to do. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and again, we thank our special guest, Yolanda, for coming out to talk with us! We thank her and the Kym's Angels Foundation for their continuous commitment and partnership with the DSASTX throughout the years.  We also hope our podcast, the Texas Down Syndrome Chat, supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Episode 9 is learning about nutrition, gluten, and building healthier habits! We sat down with one of our dietetic intern, Duyen Ho, who discusses the strengths and challenges of health conditions with individuals with Down syndrome. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest, Duyen, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Episode 8 is a Family Spotlight! It is our very first one, and it's where we sit down with one of our DSASTX families and chat about their journey. We talked with Laura and Joseph López, who have a beautiful 8 year-old daughter, Liliana, who has Down syndrome. They gave us an insight on their birth diagnosis story, their journey with Liliana, some parenting advice, and their time here with the DSASTX. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest family, the Lopez's, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does. Be sure to also check out our parent support groups, who meet up every month! D.A.D.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXDADSM.O.M.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXMOMSPlease follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

On today's episode, we talk to a fan favorite here at the DSASTX: Coach Dan! Coach Dan tailors fitness for people of all special needs. His program, F.I.T.T.I.D helps support, and educate individuals with disabilities through functional fitness training and nutrition where anyone, regardless of their disability, can become stronger and more independent. You can find more information on his programs here: https://letsgetfittid.comFascinating stuff. You can join one his classes here at the DSASTX every second Saturday of the month, if you register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fittid-with-coach-dan-at-the-dsastx-ages-13-tickets-235013490677 It's for ages 13 up, and is a $5 fee. Hope we see you here! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.  Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

On today's episode, we speak to Tracy Fontenot, the Co-Founder and Executive Director at Kinetic Kids: a fellow nonprofit that helps special needs and their families through sports, fine arts and educational programs to help development of courage, confidence, fitness, pride, joy and community!Visit the Kinetic Kids website for additional information! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.  Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

DSASTX's own Magaly Diaz speaks with Claudia Vargas of Education Service Center, Region 20 about bilingual education, approaching Down Syndrome stigma within the LATINX community and experiences with their daughters living with Down Syndrome. Visit the ESC-Region 20 website. We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.  Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Episode 4 is all about the past couple of weeks at the DSASTX! Our Education Director, Magaly Diaz, and I do a recap of all the recent events that just happened over the month of March and the beginning of April. We chat about World Down Syndrome Day, the 2023 Collective Palette, the Spurs game, and our 2023 Easter Egg Hunt! During the episode, we introduce and discuss more details and information regarding our 2023 Better Together Inclusion Conference. If you want to know more about our upcoming conference, take a listen to this month's episode! The 2023 Better Together Conference is on May 11th! Be sure to check out our website at dsastx.org  for more info and to get registered! We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank you to Magaly for chatting with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.  Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Episode 3 is all about introducing the Executive Director, and founder of SA Life Academy, Cindy Boynton. She is a mother of a son, who has Down syndrome and has played a part in the history of the DSASTX. We chat about her story and journey with her son Drew, and what inclusion has meant to her throughout the years. We discuss how we as a community can celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and all the loved ones in our lives. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest Cindy, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does. Visit the SA Life Academy website. Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Episode 2 is all about discussing occupational therapy, with Occupational Therapist, Analy Flores, who has over 10 years of experience in working with pediatrics and has been a part of the team at Pediatric Therapy Specialists for the last 6 years. We discuss what occupational therapy is and what it can do for children and adults with Down syndrome. We talk about what OT's work on, including sensory processing, and all their goals while working with different families. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest Analy, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does. Visit the Pediatric Therapy Specialists website.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Welcome to our first official episode of the Texas Down Syndrome Chat. Episode 1 is all about introducing the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas with host and Program and Outreach Coordinator, Faith Levario, and our guests, Executive Director, Brian Lopez, and Education Director, Magaly Diaz. We give an insight into who we are and the paths we took that led us to the DSASTX.  We talk about what our organization provides for individuals and families living with Down syndrome, and what is yet to come in 2023. We hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.  Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next! 

Welcome to The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas' official podcast: the Texas Down Syndrome Chat. We are so excited to launch our podcast this year! This episode is a short introduction to the Texas Down Syndrome Chat and what we hope this podcast will bring to all of you.    Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!