This virtual symposium are for families who have a loved one with Down syndrome or Down syndrome and Autism.

Amy McDougall is a student analyst with more than 10 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis and education. She currently serves as a School Support Specialist, where she partners with teachers, families, and students to foster inclusive classrooms and provide meaningful behavioral supports.

Drawing on her extensive background implementing evidence-based interventions, coaching staff, and supporting students with diverse needs, Amy brings both practical expertise and a passion for collaboration to her work. She earned her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University and applies advanced behavior analytic principles in her daily practice.

Her professional interests include parent and teacher training, social skills development, and advancing inclusive education practices.

The behaviors your child learns (or doesn't learn) can make a world of difference no matter their age/stage. In Amy's presentation, Key Skills for Success at Home, School, and in the Community for Individuals with Down syndrome or DS-ASD, she will discuss pivotal behaviors that are key to improving success in a variety of settings from home to school, as well as the teaching technologies to help with mastery and maintenance of these important skills for your loved one with Down syndrome or DS-ASD. Her presentation will include an introduction to important foundations, what are the important questions to ask as you identify goals, communication targets and strategies, social skill targets and strategies, and toleration skill targets and strategies.

Dominica Nichols, PhD, RD, LDN is the Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). She completed a doctorate in Biology at Northeastern University, as well as additional academic and clinical training in the Boston area to become a Nutritionist.

Dominica has a strong background in care coordination in the community and clinical setting as part of an interdisciplinary team. She served as the public-school district nutritionist for Medford and a Clinical Dietitian at Boston Children's Hospital Primary Care before assuming her current role. She was the Nutritionist for the ECHO Autism Project (2017) at MGH's Lurie Center for Autism. She is a founding member of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA Nutrition and Feeding workgroup.

She now works with individuals with Down syndrome from birth to adulthood and has secondary interests in Autism, ADHD, Weight Management and Selective Eating. She sees conversations about Nutrition as opportunities to help support health, overall wellness and community participation.

Children and adults with Down syndrome, and Down syndrome and autism, often face unique eating and nutrition challenges, including selective eating, gastrointestinal issues, and growth concerns. Good nutrition, along with awareness of how prescribed medications may affect nutritional needs, can make a big difference in supporting energy, growth, and overall health. Dominica's presentation Leveraging Nutrition to Improve Health for Individuals with Down Syndrome or DS-ASD will offer simple, practical strategies families can use to make mealtimes less stressful, improve nutrition, and support the well being of their loved one with DS-ASD.

Down Syndrome Virtual Symposium ~ 10/18/25