Big ideas. Real Impact.
Connect26
the 5th Annual Las Vegas Down Syndrome Conference
Saturday, October 3, 2026
at Faith Lutheran Middle & High School Campus
The theme of this year’s conference is "Shaping the Future Together ", with focus on what you can do to support individuals with Down syndrome.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The keynote speaker is Sean Smith, Ph.D., University of Kansas. He will present two sessions about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help learners with Down syndrome of any age and to create IEP goals that are tailored to your student. Dr. Smith presented a “deep dive” at this year’s National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Orlando and you will be inspired and amazed with how you can use this technology!
Keynote speaker Sean Smith Scheduled topics and speakers include:
Artificial Intelligence to help learners with Down syndrome of any age - Sean Smith, University of Kansas
Writing Smart IEP goals using AI - Sean Smith
How To Advocate Effectively - NV Assemblywoman Tracy Brown-May
Disability/Special Needs Planning Made Easy (Families with kiddos ages 0-15) - Andre Sam
Disability and Special Needs Planning Made Easy (Families with young adults/adults) - Andre Sam
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome - Eric Doran, University of California - Irvine
DS-Connect Registry: Research Studies That Find You - Anne Fiala, Linda Crnic Center for Down Syndrome
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Research without CPAP intervention - Rakesh Bhattacharjee, University of California - San Diego
Challenges and Triumphs: The Super Diva Tour (Life with a sibling who has Down syndrome) - Leesa Gardner
and more
Teen/adult programming: Concurrent Hands-on sessions
- Art Explosion
- Gigi Fit Exercise Class
- Goal Setting (from UNLV Project Focus)
- Drum Circle
- and more