• 

  President Update

  Dear Fellow Forum Members:
  As we approach the holiday season and say good bye to 2018, I want to thank you, once again, for all you do to keep our organization vibrant and thriving. You have made us a leader in the galaxy of IWF forums with your support, active engagement, and spirit of partnership.

  As reported at our annual meeting, this has been a banner year for attracting fabulous new members from diverse sectors and backgrounds; delivering superb and fun programs, dine arounds and read arounds; expanding our communications channels (we now have 119 followers on our IWFDC Instagram account); updating our bylaws; finding creative approaches to engage with you; inviting several of our Leadership Fellows to become members and strengthening our ties with the global Fellows program. Plus, we’re doing all of this with sound, financial fitness.

  I couldn’t be more grateful to our board and committee members who have given so much of their time and talents in service to our Forum. I thank them for their commitment. In return, nothing would make them more pleased than to see you take full advantage of all the opportunities offered for connecting, learning, supporting each other and just having good ‘ole fashion fun with peers and friends.

  As we look to 2019, there are a number of exciting events and programs being planned, including embassy receptions, a get-to-know social occasion for our new members early next year and exciting gatherings with outstanding, global women leaders. We hope you come to all these special programs being prepared for you.

  So, from our board to you, may the holidays bring you continued good health, ongoing support and enthusiasm for our Forum as well as lasting joy and personal fulfillment.

  Tis the season to reflect on all the wonderful friendships gained because of our Forum.

  Happy Holidays!

  Cari Dominguez

• Carole Samango-Sprouse

  New Member

  Dr. Carole Samango-Sprouse has been working with very young disabled children since 1982. She received her doctorate in 1987 from The George Washington University, where she specialized in the neurodevelopmental assessment of children with complex medical conditions. Dr. Samango-Sprouse is trained in neuromotor and neurocognitive development, neurobehavioral skills and oral motor assessment for children with an emphasis on young children with genetic disorders. She is experienced in neurodevelopmental training (NDT), assessment of pre-term infant behavior (APIB) and the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale (BNABS). Dr. Samango-Sprouse studied neurobehavioral assessment at the Children’s Hospital of Boston with Dr. Heidilaise Als, a developmental psychologist and renown Harvard University scholar.
  Dr. Samango-Sprouse has published more than 60 articles about the neurocognitive capabilities of atypical children. She studies the relationship between the brain and behavior and its impact on school performance in children with chromosome variations (CV), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neurogenetic disorders including neurofibromatosis-type1 (NF-1), and developmental dyspraxia, among other conditions.
  Presently, Dr. Samango-Sprouse is the director of the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Center for Young Children, located near Annapolis, Maryland. In addition, she is an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at The George Washington University and is on staff at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Samango-Sprouse evaluates patients from all over the world who have complex diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and X and Y chromosomal variations in order to develop comprehensive and intensive intervention programs that are syndrome-specific. These programs recognize the complex interaction and intimate connection between the brain, cognition, behavior, learning and medical diagnosis.
  

For All Member Information:

Login