GHFEDS upcoming events

Behavior Workshop presented by the Eva Marie House Grant (September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Registration is Closed

Behavior Workshop presented by the Eva Marie House Grant

Saturday September 19th from 10am-1pm

The Gilruth Center at Nasa
18600 Space Center Blvd
Meeting will be held in the Inspiration Room

This workshop is for parents only, no childcare available.

Serving Jason's Deli for lunch.

*Annual Membership Required

Joanie Garro, MA, BCBA, LBA with Garro Behavior Consulting will be presenting

Helping or Hovering? Does Distance Make A Difference When Launching Independence?

One of the most important goals for any parent or educator is to promote independence of a child and to help launch them into a world that accepts them and promotes their abilities and interests. During times of teaching and training of skills at home, school, or in the community, the adult 'teacher' usually maintains a proximal distance (within an arm's length) of the learner. Without realizing it, this close distance could delay independence by decreasing the interaction of the young adult with his/her peers, co-workers, and community helpers. It is vital to learn how to fade proximity or distance while teaching independence. This not only will increase the rate of social interaction for the young adult, it will increase the rate of learning, improve confidence in skills, and improve relations with the community and the young adult. Applications of evidenced based research and hands on experience will be discussed and demonstrated.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To discuss and demonstrate the effects of proximity of a parent, job coach, instructor, or paraprofessional on a person with disabilities during teaching at home, school, job site, or other community settings.

• To discuss the effects of proximity on social interaction with others: peers, co-workers, community workers.

• To demonstrate use of technology (bug-in-ear, video chat) during proximity fading to promote independence when teaching a new skill.

• To discuss and demonstrate proximity fading techniques, the use of video-modeling, behavior skills training, scripts (script fading).

Adult Social - The Ceramic and Pottery Center (September 24, 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Adult Social

The Ceramic and Pottery Center

September 24th from 2-4pm

Location: 2900 Dickinson Ave in Dickinson

This social is for Adults with Ds ages 18 and up, if you have more than 1 adult with Ds attending please register them separately.

Limited to 15 adults with Ds.

They will be painting so please wear old clothes.

*Annual membership required

Special Strong Classes - September (September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Special Strong Classes
Boot Camp

September 12th & 26th
2-3pm
Anytime Fitness - 4420 W Main St Ste B League City, TX 77573

The class is open for individuals with Ds ages 13 and up.

Your child must be able to participate with the group, no roaming the gym or getting on equipment for safety reasons. If your child needs assistance you must help during the class due to no 1:1 coaching.

*If your child already attends Special Strong Kickboxing or Boot Camp classes Do Not register for this class so it will give others a chance to attend.

*Wear comfortable clothes, sneakers, and bring a water bottle.

*Annual Membership Required

Teen Social - Moody Gardens (October 04, 2026)

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Teen Social

Moody Gardens

Sunday October 4th from 10am-12pm

This social is for Teens with Ds ages 13-20, siblings are welcome and will be charged $17 each.

Includes admission for the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids Only

Meet at the Aquarium lobby at 10am for group photo and get tickets and go in together, you are at your own pace for the Aquarium and Rainforest.

There is a maximum of 20 people and registration will close once limit is reached.

*Annual Membership Required

Exercise Class (October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Exercise Class

Saturday October 10th from 930-1030am
Verne Cox in Pasadena

These classes are for all ages and designed to meet participants at their individual levels of development and motor skills, and to promote inclusion and fun.

These classes are designed and led by graduate student volunteers and supported by Dr. Laurie Farroni, DPT and Pediatric Clinical Specialist.

Family Social - Halloween Party (October 23, 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Family Halloween Party

Friday October 23rd from 530-830pm

Location: Texas Ave Park Pavilion
17100 N Texas Ave in Webster

Join us for a fun, relaxed Halloween evening for our families!

Come in costume and enjoy a pasta dinner, snacks, drinks, dancing with a DJ, and plenty of time to socialize with friends.

Our special treat this year: We'll be joined by Cirque and Destroy Fire Show, who will put on a spectacular safe, family-friendly fire performance created especially for our group! It's sure to be a memorable Halloween experience for kids and adults alike.

*Annual Membership Required

Exercise Class (October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Exercise Class

Saturday October 24th from 930-1030am
League City Community Center
400 S Kansas Ave in League City

These classes are for all ages and designed to meet participants at their individual levels of development and motor skills, and to promote inclusion and fun.

These classes are designed and led by graduate student volunteers and supported by Dr. Laurie Farroni, DPT and Pediatric Clinical Specialist.

Exercise Class (November 07, 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Exercise Class

Saturday November 7th
Verne Cox in Pasadena

Infant and Toddler Class - 9am-945am
All other ages - 10am-11am

These classes are designed to meet participants at their individual levels of development and motor skills, and to promote inclusion and fun.

These classes are designed and led by graduate student volunteers and supported by Dr. Laurie Farroni, DPT and Pediatric Clinical Specialist.

Volunteers for Step Up Walk (March 06, 2027)

Sat, 06 Mar 2027 13:00:00 GMT

If you are interested in volunteering for GHFEDS Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk please register here.

The walk will be held on March 6th 2027 from 9am - noon at Walter Hall Park in League City.

We will need volunteers to help from 7am - noon with restocking water and capri-sun's in coolers, restocking snacks, setting up walk signs along walk path, hanging banners, popcorn machine, help manage registration/volunteer/shirt/prize tables, and clean up.

Each volunteer will receive a walk shirt and breakfast.

Click on each volunteer job for a description and hours needed. Please bring your own volunteer hours form to be signed if needed.

Please register by February 1st!

If you have any questions please contact us at admin@ghfeds.org.

We greatly appreciate your time to volunteer for GHFEDS Step Up Walk!!