DSC Adults Program: Friends Learning Together
DSC Adults is a weekly interactive program that supports social connections and healthy, independent living.
Registration is OPEN!
Curriculum
DSC's Adult Program: Friends Learning Together aims to assist individuals with Down syndrome aged 18 and older in developing healthy relationships, overcoming challenges, and enhancing their overall quality of life. The program instructors collaborate with adult participants to focus on learning skills such as self-empowerment, interpersonal skills and effective communication, coping strategies for common life challenges, and how to manage daily tasks in order to develop adaptive skills.
During weekly courses at the DSC Campus, adult participants have opportunities to actively partake in their educational and social enrichment through this program. Adults can enroll in as many days as they would like! Please note that the days/times have changed! Classes will now be held on:
Winter 2025 Class Options:
Tuesday @ 3:15-4:45: focus is self-determination skills
Wednesday @ 4:30-6:00: focus is social skills
Friday @ 12:00-1:30: focus is adaptive skills
Classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2/1/25-6/13/25. Please see DSC's 2024-25 service calendar for specific dates. Each class is 90 minutes in duration. If the adult is new to DSC services, an intake meeting will be held prior to starting services.
Content:
Each day will have a content area focus. Participants must have a goal relevant to the focus for the day that they attend. Daily focus and example goals are:
Tuesday: Self-determination skills
1) Engaging in self-advocacy skills
2) Developing or improving communication skills to increase access to community settings
Wednesday: Social skills
1) Safely navigating life online (i.e. use of social media)
2) Initiating social opportunity (like inviting a friend over, etc.)
3) Participating in pre-planned social activity (cooking with a friend, going to a local cafe, making a craft together)
4) Responding and maintaining boundaries
Friday: Adaptive skills such as food preparation, shopping, healthy habits, etc.
1) Managing a list/schedule of tasks
2) Paying for items t a store or online for an activity
3) Advocating for what activities to include in a schedule of tasks
4) Making healthy choices
Registration and Tuition:
Please fill out the Pre-registration form to indicate interest in enrollment.
*There is a maximum occupancy, and registration will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Financial aid and Scholarships are available. Please reach out to Megan Kidder at megan@dscpugetsound.org for more information or any questions.
DDA Specialized Habilitation funding accepted!
The deadline for DDA Special Habilitation funds is Dec.
Instructors
Cierra Milton, OTD, OTR/L
Co-instructor and Therapist
Cierra graduated with her clinical doctorate in occupational therapy from Indiana University in 2021. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, she worked as a caregiver for adults and children with disabilities for 7 years. Cierra recently completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities interdisciplinary fellowship at the University of Washington (UW LEND) where she gained expertise in supporting families and individuals with disabilities.
Cierra is passionate about community-based programming and family centered services. She utilizes strength-based approaches and has special interest in trauma-informed care. She currently holds a role at Harborview Medical Center providing community-based OT services to vulnerable populations. She’s a certified yoga instructor and enjoys spending time with her dog, Reese. She is excited to bring her passion for empowering clients to DSC!
Leia Steffas, Program Director
Co-instructor
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.
Guided by the reality that opportunities for work and socialization for adults with disabilities are extremely underdeveloped in our society, Leia has always seen herself working with adults with disabilities and dreams of opening a business that creates opportunities for employment and supports high quality, independent living.
At DSC, her primary goal is to help build the Adult Program and provide a space for adults with Down syndrome to experience a sense of community and purpose, guided by the ideas and feedback from the adults themselves and members of the DSC community.
Megan Kidder, BCBA
Director of Therapeutic and Family Services and Co-instructor
Megan is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Washington. Prior to working with DSC, she spent 10 years supporting student growth and inclusive education in the public school setting in various roles, including as a BCBA and teacher. As a certified Special Education teacher, she previously taught in a transition services program, working with young adults aged 18-21 years. In this role, Megan discovered her passion for working alongside adults with (dis)abilities to help them achieve their goals.