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May News for You!
Down Syndrome Innovations offers teen services and supports that focus on maximizing independence; integrating into the community; preparing for employment; increasing health and wellness; and learning essential social skills.
This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family!
Registration Now Open for Teen Skills Series: Summer Day Camp!
This summer, we are hosting summer programming on Monday mornings in order to provide a robust experience full of fun, community, and skill-development in a safe and supported setting.
We will be partnering with community members; members of the Down Syndrome Innovations team; and our ACE program as we get together to spend time indoors, outdoors, and in the community! Information about each week will be provided closer to the time of session.
Please note: Summer Camp will be capped at 30 campers per day. A waitlist will be created once 30 registrations have been submitted.
Please note: this service is donor-funded / free for our families, due to the generous support of our donors, grantors, and community partners!
Join Us for Our Summer *VIRTUAL* Social Groups for Teens!
Join us for our Virtual Social Groups for teens that take place on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 6:15 pm, beginning June 13th! 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:
- June 13th
- June 20th
- June 27th
- July 11th
- July 18th
- July 25th
Please note: this service is donor-funded / free for our families, due to the generous support of our donors, grantors, and community partners!
Now Enrolling: Summer Social Engagement!
(Therapeutic Small Groups for Teens and 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.
This summer, the group will use musical theatre to promote teamwork, conflict resolution, and social perspective taking. Our final session will include a small production for families.
SCHEDULE
- Mondays from 4:00 - 5:00 pm, beginning June 12th
- Dates of service: June 12th; June 26th; July 10th; July 17th; July 24th; and July 31st
These groups take place at our Lifelong Learning Campus at 5916 Dearborn Street in Mission, KS.
The fee for this therapeutic service is $150 for 6 therapeutic sessions.
Have You Scheduled Your Complimentary Therapeutic Consultations?
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.
Register for Our Summer
Small Group, Fitness Training!
(Teens & Adults)
Teens and adults with Down syndrome are invited to join us for personalized workout classes, focusing on building foundational strength and functional skills.
Sessions take place from 10:00 - 10:45 am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
The fee for this service is $16 per session.
Each class is limited to 6 participants (or less) to ensure highly supportive training and individualized coaching.
Please Note: there are limited spots available to ensure self-advocates receive sufficient support and instruction. Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis, and based on commitment to the scheduled times (in addition to meeting the assessment and readiness criteria). A waiting list will be created for future opportunities, once enrollment is full.
Join Us for Our Summer Basketball Camp: Skills & Drills With PAC Athletes
June 20th, 21st, and 22nd
1:30-3:00 pm
(Teens and Adults)
Down Syndrome Innovations and PAC are teaming up on a basketball camp at Sylvester Powell. This camp has a capacity for 20 athletes per day, so we can provide one-on-one support and skill station leaders.
- Teens/Adults (13+): 6/20 & 6/21
- Children (6-12): 6/22
Registration will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis, and once we hit capacity, we will start a waiting list.
Schedule Your Employment Consultation!
Is your self-advocate (adult with Down syndrome) preparing for employment or needing support in their current job?
Down Syndrome Innovations has a certified employment support professional, Amanda Myers, to help your family navigate this journey. Sign up today for a complimentary employment consultation!
Amanda Myers, CESP
Employment Coordinator
The Time is NOW for Your Health & Wellness Consultation!
Would you like to talk to a health and wellness professional who understands Down syndrome to develop proactive strategies for incorporating more activity into your loved one’s life?
This is a great first step towards better health!
Scott offers in-person and virtual appointments, so sign up for a complimentary Health & Wellness consultation today!
Schedule Your Long-Term Planning Consultation!
We are committed to preparing your loved one with Down syndrome for a meaningful, productive, and authentic adult life! This requires future planning for parents and caregivers—and we are here to guide you every step of the journey!
Long-Term Planning Consultations offer individualized support to parents/caregivers to better navigate services and funding sources during the adult years. Our Lifespan Service Team will help you prioritize and plan according to your loved one’s age and your family’s specific situation.
Please fill out the Interest Form below and we will contact you to schedule a complimentary consultation!
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!
Please note: this service is donor-funded / free for our families, due to the generous support of our donors, grantors, and community partners!
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, 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.
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.
Please Note: this educational seminar is donor-funded / free due to the generous support of our donors, grantors and community partners!
WE HEARD YOU, so we are launching a dual-diagnosis support group!
The 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.
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.
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 facing a dual-diagnosis can already feel isolating in and of itself. We understand this is a subgroup of the entire population we serve, with unique challenges and experiences, and we hear how important it is for you all to feel connected. We hope that meeting one another in this group will organically open up opportunities for you all to spend time together face to face as you develop meaningful connections with one another.
Please note: these support groups are donor-funded / free for our families, due to the generous support of our donors, grantors, and community partners!
Summer Celebration at
Down Syndrome Innovations!
Saturday, June 10th
9:30 - 11:30 am
Grab your family and friends and join us for Summer Celebration! Stop by any time between 9:30 and 11:30 am to enjoy fun activities, vendors, food, and more!
This is a great opportunity to connect with other families, meet our staff, and have fun in a safe and inclusive environment!
This event is donor-funded / FREE for participants, but please make sure to RSVP so that we may have adequate accommodations!
For the MOST UP TO DATE services & events,
visit our website!
Have you “connected” with us yet?
We encourage you to fill out our contact form TODAY, so that we may contact you about services and supports that are appropriate for your loved one!
