ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

PRISMS 2020 International Smith-Magenis Syndrome Conference has been developed to educate and share information about SMS while providing opportunities for engagement and community amongst SMS families and professionals.

Invited guests include individuals and families affected by Smith-Magenis Syndrome as well as the professional community with an interest in Smith-Magenis Syndrome.

The Goals of the Conference Include:

• To understand the medical, social, developmental and behavioral aspects of SMS.
• To gain knowledge about the most recent advances in diagnosis, management and potential benefits to persons with SMS.
• To develop intervention strategies, treatment and management plans for persons with SMS.
• To recognize the psychosocial aspects impacting SMS families and the role of PRISMS as a network.
• To learn about SMS, past, present and future.
• And, most importantly, to share information and tips with other families.

Hotel

• Please use the website link below to reserve a room at the PRISMS discounted rate of $149.00 single/double, plus applicable taxes.
• After the cutoff date of July 7, reservations will be based upon hotel availability.
• Click on this hotlink or call 800-233-1234 (Toll Free): Book your group rate for PRISMS

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, July 30th Workshops:

Teacher and Support Staff Training | Speakers: Barbara Haas-Givler, MEd, BCBA; Cora Taylor, PhD

Teacher/Service Provider Training Workshop will consist of a two-part training session that will profile the PRISMS publication, "On the Road to Success with SMS - A Smith-Magenis Guidebook for Schools" by Barbara Haas-Givler and Brenda Finucane. Barbara Haas-Givler, MEd, BCBA, and Cora Taylor, PhD, will be presenting this workshop. This workshop will be an engaging session directed towards educators, BCBAs, day-support providers, job coaches and school administrators and support staff. The workshop will present successful solutions to challenging situations that may occur when working with a child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. This will also be an opportunity for the attendees to brainstorm with one another and share effective approaches for classroom, vocational and residential situations.  This workshop will provide effective instruction and strategies for those who will be teaching/working with a person with SMS and a forum for these professionals to share ideas.  We encourage parents to invite their child’s current teacher, or prospective teacher for the 2019-2020 school year, as well as behavior specialists and support staff. Parents are also welcome!

We will also be offering a limited amount of funding to help support teachers and specialists to attend the conference. To apply for the grant: https://www.prisms.org/education/sms-conference/teacher-support-staff-grant-application/

Managing Relational Stress and Building Resiliency in Families of Children with Special Needs Relational Stress in Individuals and Families | Speaker: Eileen Devine, LCSW

 This workshop will focus on caregivers and offer purposeful tools and resources to better manage caregiver challenges. Some topics that will be discussed include:

• Discuss signs and symptoms of stress, (leading to) compassion fatigue, (and then leading to) burnout.
• Building resilience as individuals and as couples.
• Next Steps: Coming up with a plan – Eisenhower Exercise

Shared Living Collaborative | Speaker: Daniela Morse

The Shared Living Collaborative (SLC) creates and celebrates opportunities for all involved to engage in self-directed, meaningful, and purposeful employment, activities, and relationships. Unique, highly individualized, and holistic approaches enable a vibrant and mutually beneficial dynamic throughout all aspects of our occupational, residential, and community life.

Emphasis on the human spirit and human rights, joy for living, and hopefulness, coupled with wholesome and skilled supports results in a nourishing and effective environment, allowing all to pursue goals and visions to the fullest.

At the very heart of these fundamental values and principles are Shared Living and Therapeutic Foster Care Homes, allowing for numerous, diverse community-based settings, facilitating Person Centered Planning, options for choice and self- determination, and our strong belief that everyone must have the opportunity to live a life like “any other” defined by purpose, hopes and dreams, responsible risk-taking, a high quality of life, social connections, and contributions to communities.

First Steps Session

This session is for those attending the conference for the first (or second) time.  It will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 30 from 1:15 – 2:45 pm. The First Steps Session was created to welcome, engage, encourage and support those who are new to the conference experience.  The session will provide an opportunity for new families to interact with one another as well as veteran “Parent Ambassadors” prior to the start of the conference.  We will provide information that introduces them to both the PRISMS community and the conference.
 

CHILD CARE

This conference is intended for parents and professionals. If you are unable to make local arrangements for childcare, PRISMS is offering childcare through an outside firm, Corporate Kids. Corporate Kids will provide childcare for SMS children and their siblings, between the ages of 4-18 years old.

Corporate Kids Events provides the ultimate childcare and entertainment for events worldwide.  Their time tested, ability specific activities are always fun, enriching while keeping safety as a priority. CKE management has organized and managed customized camps and childcare programs for over 17 years.  Their combined passion for children, education, art and recreation enables them to provide great care and support.  Combining all of this with their secure sign-in and out procedures, digital photo security system and ID tags, parents can enjoy their time at the conference knowing their little ones are safe, having fun and under the care of experienced, nurturing childcare professionals.

This year’s camp will provide a highly structured environment and a 1 staff to 2 children ratio.  All staff will be experienced childcare professionals with experience working with special needs children.  Daily activities will be scheduled based on your child’s particular needs and comfort.  Upon completion of your childcare registration form a representative of Corporate Kids Events will contact you to review your child's needs and answer any questions you may have in regards to the upcoming program. 

The subsidized cost of childcare does NOT include the child's conference registration fee of $100, ($75 for child with SMS). Childcare will be available on a first come, first served basis and space is limited. Registrations for Corporate Kids must be made before July 7, 2020; on-site registration will not be available.

Childcare (ages 4-18)

Special Event for our SMS adults, (ages 16 and up)
This conference, we are offering The PRISMS Den, for our SMS adult attendees, ages 16 and up. The PRISMS Den will take place on Thursday, July 30, Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Corporate Kids will also be providing 1:2 supervision for The PRISMS Den. The PRISMS Den will be geared towards our adults and include activities such as:

PRISMS Den (ages 16 and older)

PRISMS NIGHT AT THE COURTYARD ROOFTOP

Cadmium Online Registration