Community Learning Centre
Courses | Webinars | ResourcesWelcome to Our Newly Expanded
Community Learning Centre!
Our newly expanded Community Learning Centre now features online courses for caregivers and healthcare professionals! Browse to find information from experts and experienced community members alike on topics important to the Down syndrome community, like health, fitness, social inclusion, education, and employment.
Courses for Caregivers
CDSS is proud to partner with the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation to offer you their entire collection of courses for caregivers from the DSRF Down Syndrome Academy.
For a limited time until December 31st, 2026, use the code CDSS26 to take any of the following courses for free, compliments of CDSS.
– Down Syndrome 101
– Mental Wellness for People with Down Syndrome
– Relationships and Sexuality for People with Down Syndrome
– Dual Diagnosis: Down Syndrome and Autism
– Common Senses: Sensory Processing for People with Down Syndrome
– Kinder Kick-Off
Down Syndrome 101
You will learn what causes Down syndrome, how to speak about Down syndrome, learning strengths of people with Down syndrome, common characteristics and concerns associated with Down syndrome, and what people with Down syndrome want you to know.
Mental Wellness for People with Down Syndrome
You will learn common mental health issues for people with Down syndrome, strategies for promoting mental wellness, how to help people with Down syndrome distinguish between fantasy and reality, how to recognize mental health concerns, the role of cognitive behavioural therapy for people with Down syndrome, and where to go for mental health support.
Relationships + Sexuality for People with Down Syndrome
You will learn why sexuality is important for people with Down syndrome, how and when to talk to a young person with Down syndrome about sexuality, common sexual problems encountered by people with Down syndrome, the importance of identity, puberty and sexual development for people with Down syndrome, and how to keep a person with Down syndrome safe from abuse.
Dual Diagnosis: Down Syndrome + Autism
You will learn similarities and differences between Down syndrome and autism, signs that may indicate a child with Down syndrome also has autism, different types of autism, why it’s hard to diagnose autism in a person with Down syndrome, learning profiles of people with Down syndrome and autism, and a deep dive into sensory processing.
Common Senses: Sensory Processing for Individuals with Down Syndrome
You will learn sensory processing framework, sensory processing in Down syndrome, strategies and solutions to promote sensory health, eight sensory systems, how to identify sensory processing preferences and challenges in daily routines and spaces, and the role of occupational therapists in supporting sensory health.
Kinder Kick-Off
You will learn how to help your child develop the skills necessary for expressive communication, self-regulation, navigating the classroom environment, communication, transitions, pre-printing, toilet training in school, play skills, following instructions, behaviour, early literacy skills, and colours, shapes, and numbers.
Courses for Professionals
CARE Down Syndrome
A clinical education hub for healthcare professionals
Help improve the quality of care for aging adults with Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals are invited to take this free online course and earn continuing medical education (CME) credits while gaining practical strategies for managing health conditions in adults with Down syndrome. Credits may also be earned by reviewing topic-specific reference articles on common medical issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and Down Syndrome Regression Disorder.
Feel free to explore the full education hub, which also includes a full resource library with downloadable patient education materials and tools to help healthcare professionals deliver exceptional care.
CDSS is proud to partner with the National Down Syndrome Society to bring this specialized education to healthcare providers across Canada.
Caregiver Conversations
In honour of National Caregiver Awareness Month, we are taking the opportunity to listen and learn from our fellow caregivers in the Down syndrome community. This new four-part video series will introduce you to four caregivers who are at different stages of their journey with their loved ones. Each caregiver conversation explores personal triumphs, hard-learned lessons, and advice on navigating advocacy systems.
Episode 1 with Special Guest Jackie Charchuck
Episode 2 with Special Guest Kimberly Rutledge
Episode 3 with Special Guest Wendy Newbery
Episode 4: Special Guest Drew Hyttenrauch
MinDsets Health and Wellness
In this webinar series about fitness, nutrition, and mental health, we explore the connection between physical activity and cognitive abilities in adults with Down syndrome based on the research of the MinDsets Study. Join lead researcher Dr. Dan Gordon as he discusses the study findings, but the series goes much further than that. We also speak to self-advocates, professionals, and community members about how to use the findings of the study to improve your health and happiness in everyday life.
Episode 1: Building a Healthy Mindset with Dr. Dan Gordon
Special guest and lead researcher of the Global Mindsets Study, Dr. Dan Gordon, explores how the results of the study impact the Down syndrome community and his recommendations for weekly physical and cognitive exercises. During the community panel, special guest figure skater Meg Ohsada and competitive powerlifter Kassidy Rutledge talk about their journeys as athletes who are pushing themselves to conquer new challenges every day.
Episode 2: Nutrition and Meal Planning
In this webinar, we welcome nutrition experts Dr. Vaish Sarathy, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and mother to a child with Down syndrome, Maria Kupreeva, Dietician, and Jamie Gervais, Food Literacy Program Facilitator. They share their advice on finding the right diet for young children with Down syndrome, the connection between nutrition and aging issues such as dementia, and practical tips for youth and young adults who are learning to cook for themselves.
Our community panel guests also provide their practical suggestions for developing cooking skills and finding nutritious meals you love. Thank you to Caleb and Karen Prewitt and Jennifer and Sawyer Engele for sharing your experiences!
Episode 3: Managing Your Mental Health
Learn how to recognize common mental health challenges in adults with Down syndrome and develop skills to promote mental wellness and self-care. Hear lived experiences from a self-advocate and expert insight from guest speaker Dr. Yona Lunsky, Scientific Director of the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre and Director of the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Program (H-CARDD) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She is also a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and an adjunct scientist at ICES.
Episode 4: Finding Paid Employment
This free workshop for jobseekers with Down syndrome during Disability Employment Awareness Month featured tips for building your resume and finding job opportunities, advice on how to find work using digital platforms, and insights into what success looks like at a new job. Community members also shared the successes and challenges of their employment journeys. Special guests included Ingrid Muschta from the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), Sean McConnell from LinkedIn, and Vanessa Duarte from Adecco Canada.
Episode 5: Building a Social Network
This webinar explored the importance of making social connections and strategies for cultivating strong relationships, including establishing a circle of care. Featuring insights from special guest Anna Bruno, Independent Facilitator at Partners for Planning, and community members Wendy Newbery and the Innes family, who shared their own lived experiences of social connection and isolation.
Resources for Every Stage of Life
We are here to support your learning about Down syndrome and advocacy through every stage of life. You can find resources and educational publications with information on all topics, including prenatal diagnosis, new parents and early childhood, education, social inclusion, adolescence, disability supports, employment, housing, managing mental health, healthcare and aging.
