Peer Development Classes
We are proud to offer our Peer Development Classes—a therapeutic program that is educational and developmental, geared specifically to the needs of children born with Down syndrome. These classes embody a unique combination of cognitive skills and social/behavioral interaction.
Our Peer Development Classes are conducted by age group with a focus on developing strong core strength, gross and fine motor as well as social and friendship-building skills. >Click here to see a video of one of our Peer Development Classes.
There is a small fee for our classes; please call for the schedule. Scholarships are available >Click here for scholarship application.(Word Document, not accessible on all mobile devices)
Ages listed below are a guideline and are based on current attendees in the classes. Please contact Teresa Schaub at Teresa@dsconnection.org if you are interested in any of these classes.
Young Adults (Antioch)
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The goals of the transitioning youth and young adult classes are to improve students’ language development, reading comprehension, confidence and self-expression. The emphasis is on enhancing socialization skills, building friendships and practicing teamwork, cooperation and respect for self and others.
Young Adults (Antioch)
Tuesdays, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Facilitator: Lynda Green
Class Location: Elite Dance & Event Center, 304 G Street, Antioch Ca 94509
S1: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, (2/18 NO Class)
S2: Feb 25, Mar 3, 10, 31 (3/17,3/24 NO Class), Ap 7
S3: (NO Class 4/14), April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19
Early Elementary (Danville)
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Class activities focus on improving motor skills through challenging obstacle courses; working on cognitive tasks as we learn to follow, interpret and comprehend a story; developing social interaction as we learn to wait our turn, encourage others and adapt to an environment of cooperation, interaction and socialization.
Early Elementary (Ages 5-9) , Mondays, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Susan Coulson, Assistant: K. Leigh Alfrey
Session 1: Jan. 6, 13, (1/20 NO Class), 27, Feb. 3, 10 (2/17 NO Class)
Session 2: Feb. 24, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (4/6 NO Class)
Session 3: April 13, 20, May 4, 11, 18 (4/27 NO Class)
*NO Peer Development Classes;
12/23–1/3 Winter Break, 1/20 MLK Day, 2/17-20 Session Break, 4/6-10 Spring Break and 4/27-30
Tweens/Teens & Young Adults (Danville)
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The goals of the transtioning youth and young adult classes are to improve students’ language development, reading comprehension, confidence and self-expression. The emphasis is on enhancing socialization skills, building friendships and practicing teamwork, cooperation and respect for self and others.
Tweens & Teens (Ages 12–17), Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Laura Briggs
Session 1: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12 (2/19 NO Class)
Session 2: Feb. 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 (4/8 NO Class)
Session 3: April 15, 22, May 6, 13, 20 (4/29 NO Class)
NO Peer Development Classes;
12/23–1/3 Winter Break, 1/20 MLK Day, 2/17-20 Session Break, 4/6-10 Spring Break and 4/27-30
Young Adults (Ages 19-24), Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Marianne Iversen - Susan Coulson
Session 1: Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11 (2/18 NO Class)
Session 2: Feb. 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (4/7 NO Class)
Session 3: April 14, 21, May 5, 12, 19 (4/28 NO Class)
*NO Peer Development Classes;
12/23–1/3 Winter Break, 1/20 MLK Day, 2/17-20 Session Break, 4/6-10 Spring Break and 4/27-30
Adults (Danville)
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These classes are groups that support key skills for the adult-aged population. We focus on skill building in three main areas: Social/Friendship, Leisure/Recreation and Inter/Independent Living. These very active and fun groups emphasize positive communication and social values, personal awareness and empowerment through vital peer and group relationships, fitness and recreation, and creative movement and the expressive arts. Emphasis is on ability and personal responsibility in a safe and exciting group.
Adults, Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Marianne Iversen - Susan Coulson
Session 1: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13 (2/20 NO Class)
Session 2: Feb. 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2 (4/9 NO Class)
Session 3: April 16, 23, May 7, 14, 21 (4/30 NO Class)
NO Peer Development Classes;
12/23–1/3 Winter Break, 1/20 MLK Day, 2/17-20 Session Break, 4/6-10 Spring Break and 4/27-30
Young Adults (Berkeley)
More Information
These classes are groups that support key skills for the adult-aged population. We focus on skill building in three main areas: Social/Friendship, Leisure/Recreation and Inter/Independent Living. These very active and fun groups emphasize positive communication and social values, personal awareness and empowerment through vital peer and group relationships, fitness and recreation, and creative movement and the expressive arts. Emphasis is on ability and personal responsibility in a safe and exciting group.
Young Adults (Ages 18 - 25) Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Facilitators: Jennifer Cooper
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists
Connie Barbour Rm (upstairs),1606 Bonita Ave., Brkly
S1: Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, (2/20 NO Class)
S2: Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Ap 2, (4/9 NO Class)
S3: April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21
Young Adults (Castro Valley)
More Information
The goals of the transitioning youth and young adult classes are to improve students’ language development, reading comprehension, confidence and self-expression. The emphasis is on enhancing socialization skills, building friendships and practicing teamwork, cooperation and respect for self and others.
Castro Valley – Young Adults, Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Breonnie Barros
Faith Lutheran Church, Classroom #3
20090 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
S1: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, (2/18 NO Class)
S2: Feb 25, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 (3/31 NO Class), Ap 7
S3: (NO Class 4/14), April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19
Tweens & Teens (Dublin)
More Information
The goals of the transtioning youth and young adult classes are to improve students’ language development, reading comprehension, confidence and self-expression. The emphasis is on enhancing socialization skills, building friendships and practicing teamwork, cooperation and respect for self and others.
For more information, contact Teresa at teresa@dsconnection.org.
Tweens & Teens, Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Terese Ghilarducci
John Knox Presbyterian Church, Room D
7421 Amarillo Rd, Dublin
S1: Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, (2/19 NO Class)
S2: Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Ap 1, (4/8 NO Class)
S3: April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20
Adults (Oakland)
More Information
These classes are groups that support key skills for the adult-aged population. We focus on skill building in three main areas: Social/Friendship, Leisure/Recreation and Inter/Independent Living. These very active and fun groups emphasize positive communication and social values, personal awareness and empowerment through vital peer and group relationships, fitness and recreation, and creative movement and the expressive arts. Emphasis is on ability and personal responsibility in a safe and exciting group.
Adults, Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Zoe Manoguerra
East Bay Community Space, Main Space
507 55thSt. (@Telegraph), Oakland
S1: Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, (2/19 NO Class)
S2: Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, ( 4/1, 4/8 NO Class)
S3: April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20
Teens (San Mateo)
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The goals of the transtioning youth and young adult classes are to improve students’ language development, reading comprehension, confidence and self-expression. The emphasis is on enhancing socialization skills, building friendships and practicing teamwork, cooperation and respect for self and others.
For more information, contact Julie at julie@dsconnection.org.
Teens (Ages 13-17)
Facilitator: Joanne Tabora
Location: Hope Lutheran Church, 600 42nd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
S1: Jan 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12,19 (2/26 NO Class)
S2: Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Ap 1,15 (4/8, 4/22 NO Class),
S3: April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3
Adults (San Francisco)
More Information
These classes are groups that support key skills for the adult-aged population. We focus on skill building in three main areas: Social/Friendship, Leisure/Recreation and Inter/Independent Living. These very active and fun groups emphasize positive communication and social values, personal awareness and empowerment through vital peer and group relationships, fitness and recreation, and creative movement and the expressive arts. Emphasis is on ability and personal responsibility in a safe and exciting group.
Adults, Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Christina Lewis
John O’Connell High School, School of Technology
2355 Folsom St., Room 111, San Francisco
S1: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, (2/18 NO Class)
S2: Feb 25, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 (3/31 NO Class), Ap 7
S3: (NO Class 4/14), April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19
Adults (Vallejo)
More Information
These classes are groups that support key skills for the adult-aged population. We focus on skill building in three main areas: Social/Friendship, Leisure/Recreation and Inter/Independent Living. These very active and fun groups emphasize positive communication and social values, personal awareness and empowerment through vital peer and group relationships, fitness and recreation, and creative movement and the expressive arts. Emphasis is on ability and personal responsibility in a safe and exciting group.
Adults (Vallejo) Ages 20 & Up, Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm
Facilitator: Samantha White
Location: Regional Education Center - Room 21, 436 Del Sur St., Vallejo
S1: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, (2/18 NO Class)
S2: Feb 25, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 (3/31 NO Class), Ap 7
S3: (NO Class 4/14), April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19
FOR INFORMATION ON THIS CLASS PLEASE CONTACT Marianne@dsconnection.org
Young Adults (Pleasant Hill)
More Information
These classes are groups that support key skills for the adult-aged population. We focus on skill building in three main areas: Social/Friendship, Leisure/Recreation and Inter/Independent Living. These very active and fun groups emphasize positive communication and social values, personal awareness and empowerment through vital peer and group relationships, fitness and recreation, and creative movement and the expressive arts. Emphasis is on ability and personal responsibility in a safe and exciting group.
Young Adults (Pleasant Hill) Ages 20 & Up, Wednesdays, 4pm-5:30pm
Facilitator: Teresa Jorgensen
Location: Fame Yamaha Music Center, 140 Mayhew Way, Suite A101, Pleasant Hill
S1: Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, (2/19 NO Class)
S2: Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Ap 1, (4/8 NO Class)
S3: April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20
