Chatting with Sloane

Sloane Martelli, a 32 year old self advocate shares how she became involved in DSASTX programs and how she will celebrate World Down syndrome day on 3/21/2026.

Join us in welcoming our new Development Coordinator, Jessica Pastrano. In this episode we can get to know her and learn what the DSASTX team has been up to in  the fall as well as what we have planned for 2026. 

Acompáñenos para conocer más sobre la Partners Resource Network con Verónica Álvarez, Coordinadora de la Región Central de Texas. Ella nos explica los servicios que ofrecen a los padres que se encuentran en el sistema de educación especial en Texas.

Join us for an informative episode with Becky West and Power to Marc. In this episode we learn about Becky's family and how her journey led her to work at Power to Marc, where she spreads the news about techniques from Practice without Pressure. We discuss the dangers of restraint of individuals with Down syndrome for medical procedures.

Season 3, Episode 4 is a Family Spotlight! We talked with Juan Valenzuela and Lizzeth Saldana, who have a 8 year-old son, Dante, who has Down syndrome. They gave us an insight on their pregnancy diagnosis story, their journey with Dante, advice on the importance of advocacy for children, and their time here with the DSASTX. We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank our guest family, Juan & Lizzeth, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Be sure to also check out our parent support groups, who meet up every month!D.A.D.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXDADSM.O.M.S: https://bit.ly/DSASTXMOMSPlease follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 3, Episode 3, we hop on a call with the team from Disability Rights Texas and discuss transition services including employment for individuals with disabilities, SSI, and even touch on guardianship. Take a listen to resource and information packed episode to hear about more about Disability Rights Texas and all the services and support they provide for families in our community. We thank our guests Jeanie, Preston, and Ted for talking with us this month! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 3, Episode 2 we sit down with Heather Long, Director of Family Support Services (FSS) of The Arc of San Antonio and discuss The Arc & everything you need to know about waiver lists. The Arc of San Antonio serves as a social service home in Bexar and surrounding counties to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and assists their families through their direct care and comprehensive case management programs. Take a listen to this month’s episode to hear about The Arc and waiver lists, and also how we work alongside each other to help provide more opportunities to all those in our community. We thank our guest, Heather, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 3 is finally here! Episode 1 of Season 3 is all about CAMP (Children's Association for Maximum Potential)! We sat down with Chief Administrative Officer, Sarah Coulombe and discuss the services and support CAMP offers to  individuals with disabilities - and those who care for them. Sarah shares her journey with CAMP, and gives our listeners all the information and details on how your child and family can begin theirs too! Take a listen to this month’s episode to hear about CAMP and also how we work alongside each other to help provide more opportunities to all those in our community. We thank our guest, Sarah, for coming out to talk with us! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

Season 2, Episode 11 is our last episode of Season 2! Thank you all for coming on this journey with us for YEAR 2 of the Texas Down Syndrome Chat and for listening to every episode this past year! We decided to take this episode to chat about all of the incredible and unforgettable moments and events that happened in 2024. We were joined by DSASTX Executive Director, Brian Lopez for this final episode. The DSASTX is celebrated all year long as this past year was our 30th Anniversary serving the Down syndrome community. Take a listen to this month’s episode to hear about all the ways we celebrated and even some of our favorite memories of the year. We hope you enjoy this season’s final episode, and thank our guest host, Brian, for coming out to talk with us! Can’t wait for all of you to hear what we have in store for 2025! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does.Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!

In Season 2, Episode 10 we sit down with one of the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas' newest Board Members, Oralia Lara-Vargas, and discuss her time with DSASTX, and all her work within Special Education. During the episode, we introduce and discuss more details and information regarding our 2025 DSASTX Education Conference. If you want to know more about our upcoming conference, take a listen to this month's episode! The 2025 DSASTX Education Conference is January 31, 2025! Be sure to check out our website at dsastx.org  for more info and to get registered! We hope you enjoy this month's episode, and thank you to Oralia for chatting with us, and we thank her for all the time and support she has given to the DSASTX and our community throughout the years! We also hope the Texas Down Syndrome Chat supports, educates, and inspires our listeners, whether you have Down syndrome, or know someone who does. Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok @DSASTX or visit our website at dsastx.org to send us questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our podcast, and even what you would like for us to talk about next!