May News for You!

Down Syndrome Innovations (formerly Down Syndrome Guild) offers services and supports at every age and stage to help your teen grow and thrive.

This monthly newsletter is created just for you and your family!

Have you “connected” with us yet? We encourage you to fill out our contact form TODAY!

We are launching a new family portal later this year! So be sure to complete our Get Connected form!

We want your family to stay up-to-date about important information to help your teen succeed at every age and stage!

Summer Teen Series: Self-Advocacy & Kitchen Skills
(Small Groups)

This summer, we are providing two virtual groups: Self-Advocacy & Leisure Skills and Independent Kitchen Skills! 

Self-Advocacy & Leisure Skills will focus on helping teens grow their self-advocacy skills, such as identifying what they like and don't like; communicating those thoughts to others; and finding and engaging in new leisure activities.

Independent Kitchen Skills will bring back our focus on following a recipe, preparing ingredients, and building confidence in the kitchen.

We are also re-introducing a small in-person social group! This group will be capped at 8 participants for the first half of the summer; then allowing the opportunity for another 8 participants in the second half of the summer.  

Programming will take place from June 14th - August 13th!

Be sure to sign up today!

Did you know our Pathways Therapy team now offers a virtual Social Engagement group?

This group was designed by a speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist for teens and young adults.

The purpose of Social Engagement is to learn and practice social skills within a supported environment, while having fun with peers.

The next group session is this summer from June 15th to August 10th. Classes occur weekly, every Tuesday, for an hour over Zoom.

If you are interested in signing up, please fill out a Pathways application here!  >>

Mark Your Calendars:
Teen Day Camp in July!

Make sure to mark your calendar for our Teen Day Camp at the end of July!

Down Syndrome Innovations will be partnering with the Rotary Youth Camp in Lee’s Summit to provide a day camp for teens on July 28th, 29th, and 30th!

More details will be provided later this month. Stay tuned!

Complimentary Consultations

Let’s talk and see how our team can support you! We offer 30-minute appointments to families, in-person or via zoom, so we can learn about your needs and provide recommendations for services and supports that are most relevant to the current stage of your journey. 

We want to make this process as easy as possible for your family! If you are not sure what you need or how we can help, we encourage you to sign up for a free consultation!

There is something we can do at every step of the journey to support your family. Email Tyler to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment!

Check Out our Seminar Series! 

Each year, we host topical (virtual) seminars to help parents and professionals learn best practices, tips and strategies for helping teens with Down syndrome become as independent as possible!

Is your teen struggling to understand social cues? Do they know how to read body language or how to start/stop a conversation? Watch our complimentary seminar about how to foster and support social skills in teens with Down syndrome: Facilitating and Reinforcing Social Skills!