THE BIG HEART LIFE SKILLS ACADEMY
FREE GLOBAL WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS & EDUCATORS
The Big Heart Life Skills Academy is a free, online learning container designed to support families and educators of children and young adults with Down syndrome through accessible, practical, and evidence-based education.
Launching in March 2026, the Life Skills Academy was created to address a consistent and urgent gap we’ve seen across our work in the U.S. and abroad: families often wait months —sometimes even over one year — for access to affordable, high-quality resources that support their child’s development, health, and independence.
We believe that is far too long for a parent or child to wait and we exist to close this gap in care.
Through our partnerships with Down syndrome advocacy organizations, families, and government partners in Mexico, Jamaica, Grenada, and New Mexico, we have heard the same story again and again—families need support, guidance, and trusted information, but access is limited.
The Big Heart Life Skills Academy exists to close that gap by offering immediate, free access to expert-led education that families can use right away, no matter where they live.
Accesible care,
real impact.
The Life Skills Academy is built for:
Parents and caregivers of children and young adults with Down syndrome
Educators and support professionals
Families in the U.S. and internationally who need accessible, trustworthy resource
The Academy is free and open to families and educators seeking accessible educational support, resources, and care.
The Life Skills Academy will host monthly virtual workshops led by trusted professionals who specialize in areas critical to the development and success of children and young adults with disabilities.
Workshop topics include:
Communication and speech development
Independence and daily life skills
Emotional and social development
Physical development and mobility
Family support and confidence-building
Each session is designed to be:
Practical and easy to apply
Inclusive and culturally adaptable
Supportive of both children and caregivers
All workshops will be recorded and shared, ensuring families can access resources even if they are unable to attend live.
Our very first Life Skills Academy workshop will be held on Thursday, March 26th at 4:00pm EST
All workshops are FREE to attend
MARCH
DATE & TIME
THURSDAY, March 26th
4:00pm EST / 3:00pm CST / 2:00pm MST
COMING SOON!
DATE & TIME
APRIL
COMING SOON!
DATE & TIME
MAY
Meet our Guest Expert
Kelly Fulton, DPT, PT
Kelly will be kicking off our first three sessions in March, April, and May for the Big Heart Life Skills Academy.
Kelly is a dedicated pediatric physical therapist based in Richmond, where she practices at Richmond Hope Therapy Center, an intensive pediatric therapy clinic specializing in children with neurological and genetic disabilities. She earned her undergraduate degree from College of William & Mary before completing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015.
Kelly’s passion for pediatric physical therapy is deeply personal. Growing up in Northern Virginia alongside her twin sister, who has a genetic disability, she witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact of physical therapy throughout childhood. That experience inspired her lifelong commitment to helping children build strength, independence, and confidence.
Kelly is devoted to supporting not only the children she treats but their entire families, walking alongside them through every stage of childhood and adolescence. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her husband and playing with their two young children, Graham and Holly.
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