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Current year's news

Our Facility

Do you believe in magic? Want to know more about DSRF? We would be happy to give you a tour of our unique facility. Please contact Dawn to set up an individualized or group tour....more

DSRF - Making Dreams Happen

The Down Syndrome Research Foundation is proud to present our brand new promotional video aimed at raising awareness for our organization as well as providing information on our various programs for individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages....more

Waiting for a Snowflake to Land on my Tongue

With a little extra patience, the special moments come....more

DSRF Receives Kiwanis Club Grant (2013)

The Down Syndrome Research Foundation has been awarded a $3000 program grant by the Kiwanis Club for our 2013 summer programs (Summer School, Language Express and Music in Motion)....more

Current year's news

Current news

A place to find celebration and success

Since opening 10 years ago, the Down Syndrome Research Foundation on Sperling Avenue has been providing support, education, resources - and most importantly, a welcoming community - for families around B.C. and beyond. ...more

Dad walking to Horshoe Bay and back in support of Down Syndrome

A local dad is making the trek from Pitt Meadows to Horseshoe Bay and back to support people with Down Syndrome and their families. ...more

Thirty-hour walk travels through Burnaby

B.C. dad raising money for Down syndrome research by walking 167 kilometres over two days starting Tuesday morning. ...more

February 22, 2012

The actress with Down's syndrome who has earned a milestone role in BBC's Upstairs Downstairs drama

Her character’s reunion with her beloved brother, Sir Hallam, formed the heart-rending finale to the first series of Upstairs Downstairs and provided a stark reminder of the way things were done ‘back then’. ...more

January 24, 2012

Down Syndrome Awareness Gets Boost From UN

Beginning this year, the United Nations — and all of its member countries — will set aside a special annual day to recognize Down syndrome. ...more

November 15, 2011

UN Gives Nod To World Down Syndrome Day

The United Nations is on track to officially recognize an annual World Down Syndrome Day starting in 2012. ...more

November 09, 2011

Down Syndrome: Hearts of Flies and Mice Studied to Get to the Root of Down Syndrome

Researchers are looking into the hearts of fruit flies and mice in order to detect two of the most important genes that are directly related to congenital heart defects usually found in people diagnosed with Down Syndrome ...more

October 07, 2011

New Findings Validate the Accuracy of Autism Diagnosis in Children With Down Syndrome

Study shows DSM criteria can be used to identify autism in children with Down syndrome. ...more

October 03, 2011

Life with Down syndrome overwhelmingly happy, says US study

In a major feature in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, Dr Brian Skotko, of Children’s Hospital Boston, and colleagues report that “The overwhelming majority of parents surveyed report that they are happy with their decision to have their child with Down Syndrome. ...more

September 30, 2011

Abnormal Head Posture in Down Syndrome May Have Ocular Cause

One in 4 children with Down Syndrome has abnormal head posture (AHP), and the cause may be neurologic or ocular, according to a 20-year retrospective review. ...more

September 29, 2011

Down syndrome consortium formed

NIH, Down syndrome groups to meet regularly for exchange of information, ideas ...more

September 20, 2011

Research into the impact of concussion on the adolescent brain.

Dr. Naznin Virgi-Babul CBC Radio interview highlighting her research into the impact of concussion on the adolescent brain. ...more

August 23, 2011

Infant Development Study

We are looking for moms and toddlers aged 4-12 months old with and without Down Syndrome to help us understand how a baby’s brain perceives action! ...more

August 18, 2011

Developmentally disabled adults need housing solution

As parents of a 24-year-old developmentally disabled son, we, too, are grateful for the fact that institutionalization is a thing of the past, but worry constantly about his care and support once we are no longer able provide it. ...more

August 15, 2011

Monday August 15, 2011 .Kim Bolan on Kelowna shooting, the R word, Political panel

August 03, 2011

Helping child with special needs through yoga

Many families with special children are embracing alternative therapies, including yoga, to complement conventional approaches. ...more

August 03, 2011

Alzheimer's drug to treat Down syndrome?

A new drug could vastly improve quality of life in patients with Down syndrome if results are promising, researchers have said. ...more

August 02, 2011

Drug may reverse Down syndrome symptoms

Drug may reverse Down syndrome symptoms Doctor conducts first human study on drug that may boost memory and remove barriers to learning for people with Down syndrome. ...more

Down Syndrome, Sleep Problems Linked

Research under way at the University of Arizona is revealing a connection between quality of sleep and the learning and memory functions in children with Down Syndrome. ...more

iPads for children with Down Syndrome

Marina Donadio isn't even in kindergarten yet, but the five-year-old is already learning to spell and read. Her mom, Kelly Donadio, says it's all because of apps on an iPad. "It's mind blowing to me that she's able to do that." ...more

Teaching parents to accept

Fear of the unknown is probably the most common emotion among parents of newborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. ...more

Cataract lens study may lead to early Alzheimer’s detection and diagnosis.

The results of a study by a team of U.S. researchers suggest that zinc found in lenses in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease as well a Down syndrome strongly supports the hypothesis that Alzheimer’s is a systemic disorder. ...more

Down Syndrome Takes Centre Stage At Health Forum

Though in general we do not decide or choose the genetic composition of newborns, we can still assist in ensuring that every new-born child enjoys an optimum level of health allowing for maximum development of potential ...more

Down's kids can do well too

MINDSETS should be changed in what expectations people might have of children and individuals with Down Syndrome because doing so could make a difference to their future in society. ...more

Understanding causes of mortality among infants with Down syndrome

An analysis of the amount, timing and causes of infant mortality among newborns with Down syndrome is the focus of new research by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigators Robert Hodapp and Richard Urbano and recent Peabody graduate and Kennedy Center trainee Samantha Goldman. ...more

Call To Overcome Down's Syndrome With Care, Support

"As with other children, children living with Down's Syndrome are also in need of care, attention and support from their families to ensure that they feel included in their everyday lives." ...more

Sleep research could give Down's adults better health

Adults with Down's syndrome could be helped towards better health, thanks to research into the quality of their sleep. ...more

Montreal researchers identify gene linked to autism and epilepsy

Researchers from Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Research Centre have identified a gene that predisposes people to both autism and epilepsy. ...more

Learning to respond to autism

Autism Ontario is offering seminars about autism recognition, response and risk management training later this month. ...more

Kaspar the friendly robot helps autistic kids

Researcher in London has designed a child friendly robot named Kasper keeping in mind the technological advantage of today’s technology. ...more

Communal life benefits Down's Syndrome pair

James and Matthew are in their 20s and are flatmates, which may seem unremarkable. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, as REBEKAH BICKERTON explains ...more

Scientists develop blood test for Down’s Syndrome

In a study in the Nature Medicine journal researchers from Cyprus said a trial on 40 pregnancies using the test, which involves analysing the woman’s blood to detect DNA differences between the mother and the fetus, showed it accurately predicted which fetuses were at risk of developing the syndrome. ...more

Autistic workers called 'untapped talent pool'

Temple Grandin wants more autistic people in your workplace. If they don't become part of the workforce, your company will lose out. ...more