Conference Agenda

That’s a Wrap!

Sunday April 14, 2024

Below is the schedule for the 46th Annual Family Conference held in Chicago, Illinois from Thursday, April 11, 2024 through April 14, 2024.

Time Session
8:00am – 10:00am Brunch and Staff Connections
Ballrooms A-E
During and immediately following brunch, the NTSAD staff will be available to hear your thoughts about your experience of the conference.  We work to serve and support you, and strive to make each and every conference experience better than the last.

Open throughout the conference:

(Available Thursday, Friday, Saturday during the day; closed during meals)

These camps are staffed with a highly skilled team of trained nurses and dedicated volunteers, many of whom are parents of affected children, who can care for the affected children during conference session times allowing parents to attend sessions worry-free, if they so choose.

Camp Snuggle is a serene place designed to quietly support the needs of affected infantile children who benefit from less sound and movement.

Camp Active may appeal more to our juvenile and Canavan families in that is provides an atmosphere of excitement and engagement with sounds, games, and a higher level of stimulation.

We need you!

Come spend a little time with our amazing kids and volunteers up in Camp Snuggle and Camp Active. You will find us playing, reading, painting and more in Camp Active.

In Camp Snuggle, spend some time snuggling our kiddos, relaxing and helping with keepsake artwork. We would love to have you at any time during the conference. Please take a look at the schedule of events before signing up, to be sure you make it to all your chosen sessions. Thank you and see you in Camp!

(Available Thursday, Friday, Saturday during the day; closed during meals)

The dynamic Camp Sunshine program is a conference favorite among our healthy siblings, ages 0-9. While mom and dad attend sessions, siblings get to attend their own camp where they will play together, and spend time creating crafts, playing games, and having fun with our trained staff of conference childcare providers, all in a secure environment right inside the hotel.

(Available Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Healthy siblings — from 10 years to high school seniors — come together with peers who understand what it’s like to have a sibling with a rare disease. Thursday is a day-long program, which includes a Youth Peer Group (YPG) session (just like the PPG sessions the parents attend), and other support-based activities. The Youth Group will enjoy two outings during the conference: one on Friday and one on Saturday. During the outings, the Youth Group will see the sights around the greater Chicago area accompanied by Youth Advisors and our very own Dad Chaperones and LCSW, Kate Priest.

(Available Thursday, Friday & Saturday)

The NTSAD Family Lounge is a place to rest, relax, and get to know one another. We understand attending sessions can be overwhelming and emotional. We encourage you to check into the Family Lounge often to grab a snack or drink, and chat with your fellow attendees between sessions and in the evening. The Family Lounge is open to all attendees from morning to midnight.

“Attending conference changed everything for me. It’s an incredible feeling to bond with other families who understand what you are going through and are willing to hold your hand through it all….. it’s hard to sum it up. The conference truly changed my life!”
Bradley Martins, Sandhoff Family
“The support and guidance we received in the meetings was invaluable in helping us to stay on our feet, band together as a family and to continue to support her brother. There was so much comfort in knowing we were with other parents who completely understand the way we are feeling.”
Anonymous, Support Family
“For our family attending the conference is like coming ‘home’ to a family that understand and where you don’t have to explain yourself…you just get unconditional love and acceptance.”
Mary Jones, Mother of Tay-Sachs Child

Conference Sponsors

2025 Sponsors

Presenting

Courage

Hope

Inspiration

Families and Partners

*NTSAD Board Member