Connection Groups

Early Connections offers a friendly and supportive environment for parents and their babies (ages 0–3). We share helpful information to support your baby’s development. Some months we invite guest speakers and focus on a specific topic.

2026 Schedule

Early Connections

Bi-Monthly Saturdays - 9:30am-11:00am

• Location: DSCBA Office, 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville

• 1/17¹, 3/21², 5/16, 7/18, 9/19, 11/21 

1. 1. DSCBA Danville Classroom
   2. Early Connections Dance Party for World Down Syndrome Day - DSCBA Danville Classroom

NEW LOCATION - SONOMA Early Connections

Sunday - 11:00am - 12:30 pm

• Location: Rohnert Park UCP Office; 6593 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park
• Jan 18

Las Conexiones Tempranas ofrecen un entorno amigable y de apoyo para los padres y sus bebés (de 0 a 3 años). Compartimos virtualmente información útil para apoyar el desarrollo de su bebé. Algunos meses invitamos a oradores invitados y nos enfocamos en un tema específico.

CONEXIONES TEMPRANAS en español

 Jueves - 4:00pm - 5:30pm

• Ubicación: Zoom
• 1/15, 2/19, 3/19, 4/16, 5/21, 6/18, 7/16, 8/20, 9/17, 10/15, 11/19, 12/17 

Teens and Young Adults - Saturdays

Teens and Young Adults with Down syndrome are welcome to join this new group for fun and social connections. This is a great opportunity for Teens/Young Adults and their families to meet and connect!

• Danville Group - DSCBA office -
  • Saturdays: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
    • 2/21, 4/18, 6/20, 8/15, 10/17 

• Sonoma - Rohnert Park UCP Office - 6593 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park
  • Saturdays: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
    • 2/21, 5/16, 8/15, 10/17 

If you are caring for someone with DS who exhibits symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia please join us in this monthly virtual meeting.

2025 Meeting Times/Dates:

• Facilitators: Marianne Iversen
• 3^rd Thursday of the Month: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Virtual
• Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21, Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20, Sep 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17 

Email: marianne@dscba.org for more information

We’re excited to introduce a new Dual Diagnosis Support Group specifically for parents/caregivers of individuals with both Down syndrome and autism. This group offers a safe and understanding space to connect, share experiences, and find support from others navigating similar journeys. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been on this path for a while, you’re not alone—come join us as we build community, exchange resources, and support each other through the unique challenges and triumphs of dual diagnosis parenting.

2025 Meeting Time/Dates:

• Location: Danville Office Classroom; 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
• 4/18, 6/20, 8/15, 10/17

Grandparents of children with Down syndrome are welcomed and encouraged to join this monthly group. This is an opportunity to exchange information, share common experiences, and be encouraged by other grandparents with similar issues and concerns.

2025 Meeting Time/Dates:

• Facilitator: Michelle Slape, Michelle@dscba.org 
• Location: Hybrid - Zoom / DSCBA, 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville
• 10:00am–11:30am, Third Wednesday of the month
• Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 15*, May 20, Jun 17, Jul 15, Aug 19*, Sep 16, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16* 
  
  • In - person meetings in Danville office are marked with "*"
  • All other meetings dates by Zoom.

Sibling Support

Brothers and sisters of those with Down syndrome tend to be compassionate, understanding, wonderful people. But we also know that being the brother or sister of someone with Down syndrome can have its tough times, too!  

If you would like more information about resources please contact info@dscba.org 

Additional Resources

Organizations:

• Sibling Leadership Network: www.siblingleadership.org   
  • Provides siblings of individuals with disabilities tools to advocate for their sibling and for issues important to their family.
• Sibling Support Project: www.siblingsupport.org
  • A national network to provide support to siblings of people with disabilities. Sibling support workshops (SIBSHOPS) are available throughout the country.
  • SibShops:  Find a SibShop near you
• National Down Syndrome Congress for ADULT SIBLINGS: www.ndsccenter.org/adult-siblings 
• National Down Syndrome Society: Caring For Your Family

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Books about Siblings and Down syndrome*:

• Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters
  • Brian Skotko and Susan Levine (Woodbine House, 2009). Uses a question and answer format to address questions from teens who have a sibling with Down syndrome.
• 47 Strings: Tessa's Special Code
  • Carey, Becky (Little Creek Press, 2012). A big brother learns about his little sister’s special code. A book to help explain Down syndrome to young children.
• Special Brothers and Sisters-
  • Hames, Annette and Monica McCaffrey, editors (Jessica Kinsgley, 2005). Accounts from real-life siblings of children with special needs.
• Special Siblings-
  • McHugh, Mary, Revised Edition (Brookes Publishing, 2003). Interviews with more than a 100 siblings and experts.
• The Sibling Slam Book-
  • Meyer, Don, editor (Woodbine House, 2005). Eighty teenagers talk about what it is like to have a brother or sister with special needs.
• The Sibling Survival Guide-Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults with Disabilities
  • Meyer, Don and Emily Holl, editors (Woodbine House, 2014). Advice for siblings on topics ranging from communication to medical and legal issues.
• Views from Our Shoes
  • Meyer, Don, editor (Woodbine House, 1997). Essays from children who have a sibling with a disability.
• We'll Paint the Octopus Red-
  • Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, (Woodbine House, 1998). A little girl prepares to welcome her new baby brother with Down syndrome. Ages 3-7.
• Your Loved One is Having a Baby with Down Syndrome-
  • When you learn that someone you love is expecting a baby with Down syndrome, you naturally have concerns, and wonder what to say and do. This book will help you through your initial, normal reactions of sadness, shock, and worry, and give you the information and perspective you need to welcome a baby with Down syndrome.

*Check to see if a copy is available to borrow from our Lending Library 

Email the Lending Library

We have several private Facebook Groups to serve the needs of our diverse membership.  Please click through the links to request to join. Our main Facebook page is located here.

• Young Connections at DSCBA
  • A DSCBA Connection group for parents of young and elementary-aged children. This private group provides a place to share and support one another in a respectful environment. 

     
• DSCBA Homeschoolers
  • This private group, a part of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA), is open to parents, family members and caregivers who homeschool a child or adult having Down syndrome. This group also welcomes parents or persons in the Bay Area seeking more information about homeschooling their loved one with Down syndrome. This is a place for families to ask questions and share advice, resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes of homeschooling. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with sharing humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

• DSCBA Conexión de Síndrome Down del Área de la Bahía
  • Down Syndrome Connection es una organización apasionada y dedicada a fomentar el potencial ilimitado en niños y adultos con síndrome de Down en todo el Área de la Bahía de San Francisco desde 1998.
    Este es un lugar para que las familias y cualquier persona con un ser querido con el síndrome de Down puedan hacer preguntas, compartir consejos, recursos y experiencias sobre los desafíos únicos, el estrés adicional, los retos y los éxitos. La atención se centra en ayudarse mutuamente a encontrar posibles soluciones, junto con historias divertidas, en un entorno seguro y sin prejuicios.

     
• DSCBA Dual Diagnosis Support
  • This private group, a part of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA), is open to parents, family members, caregivers, and others working with a child or adult having Down syndrome and autism in the Bay Area. This group also welcomes parents or persons in the Bay Area seeking more information about a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism.
    This is a place for families, and anyone touched by a person having dual diagnosis, to ask questions, share advice, resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

• DSCBA-Parents/Caregivers of Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome
  • A DSCBA Connection group for parents/caregivers of Teens and Adults with Down syndrome. This is a private group that is meant to give an opportunity to share and support one another in a respectful environment.