Date & Time
11:00am PDT - 1:30pm PDT
KDSN Pathways
Education, Support & Community for Every Stage
KDSN Pathways is a monthly program created to support, educate, and connect individuals with Down syndrome and their families at every stage of life. Each KDSN Pathways day brings multiple programs together in one place so families can access learning, developmental support, connection, and child/youth programming in a welcoming community setting.
Our August KDSN Pathways program will be held on:
Saturday, August 8, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
New Life Church
4201 Stine Road
Bakersfield, CA 93313
This month, we are honored to welcome Terri Couwenhoven, M.S., one of the nation’s leading educators in healthy sexuality education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Terri is an internationally recognized speaker, AASECT-certified sexuality educator, and author of several highly respected books for families, including Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality. As the mother of a daughter with Down syndrome, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this important conversation.
Don’t Cross the Line! Navigating Boundary Confusion in People with I/DD
This session marks the beginning of KDSN’s new three-part educational series designed to help families confidently navigate puberty, body safety, personal boundaries, and healthy relationships for children and teens with Down syndrome and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.
During this session, parents and caregivers will learn the common reasons individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities may experience boundary confusion, why teaching healthy boundaries is essential, and practical strategies for promoting personal safety, independence, and respectful relationships. Families will leave with evidence-based information and tools they can begin using immediately to support these important conversations at home.
Whether your child is approaching puberty or you’re planning ahead for the future, this series will provide practical guidance and trusted resources to help you navigate each stage with greater confidence.
Why Attend In Person?
While our Lunch & Learn session will also be available live on Zoom, we encourage families to join us in person for the full KDSN Pathways experience. In-person attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other families, enjoy lunch together, ask questions directly to our presenters, and receive a special educational gift available exclusively to those attending in person.
Foundations for Growth: 0–5 Developmental Series
(Zoom not available for this presentation)
This month’s Foundations for Growth session will feature Heather Vukelich, MS, CCC-SLP, an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist with more than 23 years of experience serving the Down syndrome community.
Feeding and Speech: How Feeding Skills Support Speech Development
Did you know that the skills your child uses for eating and drinking also play an important role in speech development?
During this session, families will explore the connection between feeding skills and speech sound development while learning how spoon feeding, cup drinking, straw drinking, chewing, and oral motor development help build the foundation for clear speech and communication. Parents and caregivers will leave with a deeper understanding of this important relationship, along with practical strategies they can begin using immediately to support both feeding and speech development at home.
Connect Club will be available for children and youth ages 5 and older while parents and caregivers attend a KDSN Pathways session. Connect Club provides a welcoming space for supervised activities, snacks, games, and opportunities to build friendships in a fun, supportive environment.
Advance registration is required so KDSN can provide a safe, welcoming experience and ensure appropriate volunteer support for all participants.
Spanish interpretation will be available for Lunch & Learn and Foundations for Growth.
Transportation available by request. Transportation must be requested by Monday, August 3, 2026, through this registration form so arrangements can be coordinated in advance.
Sibshops will begin in September 2026.
Registration
Registration is required for all attendees, including parents, caregivers, children, and guests. Please include everyone who will be attending from your family or group when completing your registration.
KDSN Pathways
Education, Support & Community for Every Stage
KDSN Pathways is a monthly program created to support, educate, and connect individuals with Down syndrome and their families at every stage of life. Each KDSN Pathways day brings multiple programs together in one place so families can access learning, developmental support, connection, and child/youth programming in a welcoming community setting.
Our August KDSN Pathways program will be held on:
Saturday, August 8, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
New Life Church
4201 Stine Road
Bakersfield, CA 93313
This month, we are honored to welcome Terri Couwenhoven, M.S., one of the nation’s leading educators in healthy sexuality education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Terri is an internationally recognized speaker, AASECT-certified sexuality educator, and author of several highly respected books for families, including Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality. As the mother of a daughter with Down syndrome, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this important conversation.
Don’t Cross the Line! Navigating Boundary Confusion in People with I/DD
This session marks the beginning of KDSN’s new three-part educational series designed to help families confidently navigate puberty, body safety, personal boundaries, and healthy relationships for children and teens with Down syndrome and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.
During this session, parents and caregivers will learn the common reasons individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities may experience boundary confusion, why teaching healthy boundaries is essential, and practical strategies for promoting personal safety, independence, and respectful relationships. Families will leave with evidence-based information and tools they can begin using immediately to support these important conversations at home.
Whether your child is approaching puberty or you’re planning ahead for the future, this series will provide practical guidance and trusted resources to help you navigate each stage with greater confidence.
Why Attend In Person?
While our Lunch & Learn session will also be available live on Zoom, we encourage families to join us in person for the full KDSN Pathways experience. In-person attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other families, enjoy lunch together, ask questions directly to our presenters, and receive a special educational gift available exclusively to those attending in person.
Foundations for Growth: 0–5 Developmental Series
(Zoom not available for this presentation)
This month’s Foundations for Growth session will feature Heather Vukelich, MS, CCC-SLP, an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist with more than 23 years of experience serving the Down syndrome community.
Feeding and Speech: How Feeding Skills Support Speech Development
Did you know that the skills your child uses for eating and drinking also play an important role in speech development?
During this session, families will explore the connection between feeding skills and speech sound development while learning how spoon feeding, cup drinking, straw drinking, chewing, and oral motor development help build the foundation for clear speech and communication. Parents and caregivers will leave with a deeper understanding of this important relationship, along with practical strategies they can begin using immediately to support both feeding and speech development at home.
Connect Club will be available for children and youth ages 5 and older while parents and caregivers attend a KDSN Pathways session. Connect Club provides a welcoming space for supervised activities, snacks, games, and opportunities to build friendships in a fun, supportive environment.
Advance registration is required so KDSN can provide a safe, welcoming experience and ensure appropriate volunteer support for all participants.
Spanish interpretation will be available for Lunch & Learn and Foundations for Growth.
Transportation available by request. Transportation must be requested by Monday, August 3, 2026, through this registration form so arrangements can be coordinated in advance.
Sibshops will begin in September 2026.
Registration
Registration is required for all attendees, including parents, caregivers, children, and guests. Please include everyone who will be attending from your family or group when completing your registration.
Date & Time
11:00am PDT - 1:30pm PDT
Getting There
New Life Church
4201 Stine Road
Bakersfield, California 93313
United States