July 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!

It's Time to STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME!

REGISTRATION NOW LIVE
for our Kansas City Walk on Saturday, October 28th!

NEW THIS YEAR:

Join us for a REUNION-THEME Walk!

Get ready to reunite with old friends, while making new friends, in our "Lifespan Village," featuring tents for each age range: 

• Adults
• Teens
• Youth
• Early Childhood
• Expectant/New Parents

Each tent will have activities tailored to your loved one’s stage of the journey! Sit and visit with old (and new friends!) in our designated Connection areas/tables, while watching your loved ones enjoy all kinds of fun activities!

Learn more and register here!

Registration Now Open for Teen Skills Series: Independence in Daily Living!

Teens are invited to join us this fall on Mondays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm, beginning Aug. 21st!  Our Skills Series will consist of structured activities and exercises to help self-advocates age 12-18 learn and gain a better understanding of necessary skills to help them better access their community and grow their independence, as well as identifying ways to put these skills into practice.

Dates of Service: 8/21, 8/28, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23

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 Fall *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 August 22nd! 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: 8/22, 8/29, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17

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: 
Fall 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.

SCHEDULE

• Mondays from 4:00 - 5:00 pm, beginning Aug. 21st
• Dates of service: 8/21, 8/28, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16

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.

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.

Join other parents, caregivers, and educators to learn practical strategies for creating back-to-school routines from Megan DeBoom, our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and our Director of Therapeutic Services. Megan is one of the only Down syndrome specialized BCBA’s in the nation! There is so much to learn from Megan’s experience working with people with Down syndrome across the lifespan, who have a vast diversity of needs, strengths, and personalities.

In this caregiver education seminar, you will learn proactive strategies for supporting your school-aged children, specifically with routines relevant to the new school year. Megan will highlight positive behavioral strategies, visual supports, video modeling, and co-regulation techniques that support:

• greater independence
• smoother transitions
• more positive social interactions

Megan is passionate about equipping caregivers with tools that lead to a healthier, more co-regulated home environment, plus school year success for all involved!

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!

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 ever-evolving caregiving journey – as you support your loved one with Down syndrome. As part of our Caregiver Education Series focusing on mental health, we have invited Dr. Amy Bodde to share strategies that improve your health and wellness and also those in your care.

Speaker Bio: Amy Bodde, PhD, MPH, is a Research Assistant Professor at University of Kansas Medical Center, and specifically, a health promotion researcher with expertise in physical activity for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and caregiver wellness. Dr. Bodde has contributed to the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations through training of our staff, advising on new program design, and collaborating on our annual 321 Fit Health and Wellness event.

Join us prior to the presentation from 9:30 – 10:00 am for a time to connect with other caregivers and enjoy coffee and light refreshments.

Please Note: this educational seminar is donor-funded / free due to the generous support of our donors, grantors and community partners!

Down Syndrome Innovations is pleased to *VIRTUALLY* host Steve & Gwendolyn Friedman’s seminar, “March to Independence.” The Friedman’s have compiled an essential reference guide for families with Down syndrome. They are thrilled to share learnings, tips, and helpful information to help you navigate the oftentimes overwhelming path toward independence for your son or daughter. Topics will include social, safety, health, financial/benefits, legal instruments, housing, and more.

While special focus will be afforded to teen and adult years, they will also talk about what new parents can do to begin their independence journey. Ample time will be provided for Q&A.

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 Kacy Seitz to walk caregivers through the process of writing a letter of intent for your child with a disability.

For families who have children with disabilities, worrying about your loved one’s life in the years ahead is ever-present. Special needs planning allows you to provide for your children upon your death and name a trusted person to step in as a legal guardian. After choosing a guardian, drafting a Letter of Intent (your last set of caregiving instructions) is critical to safeguarding your child’s future.

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

Find Support and Connection in our New, 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!