Registration Now Open for Skill-Building & Social Groups!

(On-Site)

Adults with Down syndrome are invited to join our skill-building and social programming that takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 8 pm! Sessions are always a balance of continuing education and having a good time with friends!

Dates of Service: 2/27, 3/5, 3/26, 4/2, 4/23, 5/7

*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

Join Us for Our *VIRTUAL* Social Groups for Adults!

Join us for our Virtual Social Groups for Adults that take place on Thursdays from 5:00 - 6:00 pm! Facilitated by staff member, Lauren Spector, these online Social Groups focus on providing a structured environment for participants to socialize, learn, and have fun together!

Sessions take place: 2/29, 3/7, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9

*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

Register for Our Small Group, Fitness Training!

Get Moving on the Weekends:
Join Us for Our Community Workouts!

(Teens & Adults)

Join us for inclusive exercise opportunities at various gyms around the Kansas City metro! Workouts are designed to improve functional strength and stamina. These occur at different locations every month on Saturdays.

There are limited spots available for every self-advocate to receive sufficient support and coaching. Athletes are expected to be able to follow instructions and a structured routine for a safe and meaningful exercise experience for all, and therefore there is a maximum number of participants per class.

Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis, and based on commitment to the scheduled times. After submitting an interest form, our Health and Wellness Coordinator will contact you to discuss your options for community workout participation in your local area.

Now Enrolling: Social Engagement!

(Therapeutic Small Groups for Teens/Adults)

Social Engagement is a therapeutic service focused on providing a supported environment where teens and adults with Down syndrome can learn and practice social skills through specialized instruction from members of our therapy team.

The group uses theatre to promote teamwork, conflict resolution, and social perspective taking. Our final session will include a small production for families.

SCHEDULE

• Mondays from 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• Dates of service: 2/26, 3/4, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6

These groups take place at our Lifelong Learning Campus at 5916 Dearborn Street in Mission, KS.

The fee for this therapeutic service is $220 for 8 Therapeutic Sessions.

Aging Years: Caregiver Connection Group

(Virtual)

The 2nd Monday of each month from 5:15 - 6:00 pm
Dates of Service: 2/12, 3/11, 4/8

The Aging Years Caregiver Connection Group is a virtual gathering of caregivers to discuss resources, strategies, community supports, and challenges related to caring for an aging loved one with Down syndrome.
 
This group is facilitated by Down Syndrome Innovations staff, and we will occasionally invite special guests with expertise in this area. This is a complimentary caregiver education opportunity, provided in addition to the individualized services we provide directly for families and individuals with Down Syndrome.
 
We are providing this group virtually to ensure we are being inclusive of families throughout the region and those who are not able to access transportation, as we understand that caring for an aging dependent can feel isolating in and of itself. 

*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

Adult Sibling Connection Group

(Virtual)

Quarterly from 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Dates of Service: 2/6 & 6/4

The Adult Sibling Connection Group is a virtual gathering of adult siblings who are active in the life of their (adult) brother or sister with Down syndrome. Join us for a casual, online connection time for siblings to converse with one another; gain strategies and resources from us and one another; learn about how our organization can walk alongside them; and create connections to that no one feels alone in this process.

Down Syndrome Innovations is committed to supporting the family of a person with Down syndrome—and this includes adult siblings who may currently be a caregiver, or may have increased involvement in caregiving in the future.

*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

DS-ASD Connection is a virtual gathering of caregivers to discuss resources, strategies, community supports, and challenges related to a child or adult’s current or potential dual-diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Dates of Service: 2/14, 3/6, 4/10

This group is facilitated by Down Syndrome Innovations staff, and we will occasionally invite special guests with expertise in this area.  This is a complimentary caregiver education opportunity, provided in addition to the individualized services we provide directly for individuals with DS-ASD for the purpose of skill-development, improving self-regulation and behavior, and increasing independence.

*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

At Down Syndrome Innovations, our team understands that teaching your teen/adult with Down syndrome about relationships and dating can feel very overwhelming. Using materials from the evidence-based curriculum, members of our Pathways Therapy Team (who are Elevatus-trained sexuality educators) will provide information on different types of relationships (family, friends, significant others, community helpers, and strangers), consent, public vs. private, moving from friends to dating, and expected behavior at school dances.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Seating is limited so be sure to submit an Interest Form! Once the Workshop is full, we will notify those who are on the waiting list.

*This Workshop is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

At Down Syndrome Innovations, our Team understands how daunting the process can be to apply for Medicaid. Your loved one has the right to this public benefit, and completing the process opens doors to critical services and supports that are often needed in their adult years.

Join this caregiver education workshop to get a walk-thru of the Medicaid application and receive professional consultation from Sarah Otto, an experienced case manager, a vital partner of Down Syndrome Innovations, and a great advocate of people with Down syndrome. This workshop is recommended for parents and caregivers of individuals who are 16 years and older and anticipating the transition to adulthood, and those over 18 years old who have not yet applied for Medicaid.

*This Educational Seminar is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

At Down Syndrome Innovations, our team understands that teaching your loved one with Down syndrome about puberty, sexuality, and relationships can feel very overwhelming.

Using materials from the evidence-based curriculum, members of our Pathways Therapy Team (who are Elevatus-trained sexuality educators) will provide general information on how to navigate these challenging topics.
 
There will be opportunities for discussion and problem solving for your family’s unique needs. This workshop is appropriate for caregivers of self-advocates of all ages.

NOTE: it is highly recommended that you attend ALL sessions for the full benefit of this education!

*This Workshop is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

Do you or other family members have trouble understanding your loved one with Down syndrome? Are you concerned about limited vocabulary or language delays? Does your loved one use an alternative or augmentative communication system? Communication challenges can impact every aspect of independence, safety, and learning. We are here to support your family!

Our Speech Language Pathologist, Katie Craddock, will provide an in-depth seminar supporting and honoring total communication for your family and loved ones with Down syndrome. Katie is skilled at providing practical supports to promote communication within your home and community. Katie has 14 years of experience as a SLP in the education, healthcare, and long-term care settings. Her areas of interest include augmentative and alternative means of communication (AAC), social/emotional communication, literacy, self-advocacy, and transition. 

“ I have a passion for working with individuals of all ages to build expressive, receptive, and social language skills—I believe that learning is a lifelong process,” says Katie. 

*This Educational Seminar is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*

At Down Syndrome Innovations, our Team understands that in order to be a lifespan provider for your family it is essential that we support you in the process of planning ahead for your loved one with Down syndrome. As part of our “Planning Ahead for the Adult Years” educational series, we have invited Amy Yeager to talk to caregivers about “Being Proactive” in anticipation of the aging years.

In this presentation, Amy will provide caregivers with support on understanding dementia as related to Down syndrome and other ID/DDs, strategies for brain health and wellness strategies, updates on current research affecting our population, tips for coordinating health care providers, ways to compensate for memory changes, and she will guide us to various community resources for ongoing support.

Down Syndrome Innovations is working closely with the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to share information and increase support for individuals with Down syndrome who are aging in addition to their caregivers. We both understand the increased needs for this generation of individuals who are are living longer, and are committed to their quality of life.

Speaker Bio: Amy serves as Lead Community Navigator with the Cognitive Care Network at the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, working directly with Primary Care Practices in the Kansas City region. She prior worked as a Dementia Care Specialist at the Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter, for over a decade. Prior to her focus on dementia, she served in multiple direct service and leadership roles, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Join us prior to the presentation from 6:00 – 6:30 pm for a time to connect with other caregivers and enjoy light refreshments.

*This Educational Seminar is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors, sponsors and our Community Partners like KU ADRC!*

Join Us for TWO Celebrations in Honor of World Down Syndrome Day!

THAT'S RIGHT, TWO CELEBRATIONS IS BETTER THAN ONE! We want to elevate and celebrate your loved one with Down syndrome and make it count this year, which is why we have 2 opportunities for you to join in the celebration!

*These events are FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our sponsors, donors and our Community Partners!*

Our 2024 Caregiver Conference about Life Transitions last weekend was a hit! 

Thank you for coming out and immersing yourselves in a day of educations, resources and connection with other families! Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, KU ADRC, and our other sponsors for helping to ensure we could offer this all-day Conference for FREE!