Registration Now Open for our Children’s Social Skills Group!

(On Site)

Children with Down syndrome are invited to join our social skills groups that take place Wednesdays from 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm, beginning Feb. 28th!

Our Skills Series focuses on activities designed to help children develop and practice social skills. Our groups will focus on providing a structured environment for children to socialize, as well as opportunities to form strong friendships with others in the group.

Dates of Service: 2/28, 3/6, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8

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

Join Us for Special Olympics:
Young Athletes

(For ages 4 – 7)

In partnership with Special Olympics, Young Athletes is designed to promote the development of an active lifestyle through play for children between the ages of 4 and 7.

• Schedule: Thursdays from 4:15 - 5 pm
• 8 Sessions: 2/29 3/7, 3/28, 4/4, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16

Self-advocates will engage in a variety of activities and games alongside their peers targeted towards gross motor and social skill development. The first and final sessions are required.

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

Now Enrolling: Ready, Set, Regulate!

(Therapeutic Small Groups for for Ages 6 - 12)

Designed and facilitated by our Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Ready, Set, Regulate offers caregivers and self-advocates the opportunity to participate in both 1:1 and group learning activities. These therapeutic small groups are geared towards self-advocates and caregivers, who need to find shared language and shared strategies to work through big emotions.
 
Sessions focus on building emotional regulation skills, including:

• identifying emotions
• selecting appropriate solutions to everyday challenges
• identifying expected behavior across home and community

SCHEDULE: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 pm

• Tuesday Sessions: 2/27, 3/5, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7
• Thursday Sessions: 2/29, 3/7, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9

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.

Join Us for Social Engagement!

(Therapeutic Small Groups for for Ages 8 - 12)

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

• Schedule: Thursdays from 5 - 6 pm
• Dates of service: 2/29, 3/7, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9

Utilizing group instruction through the process of collaborative art, self-advocates of similar ages and skills practice working as a team, problem-solving, self-advocacy, understanding hidden rules, and so much more.

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.

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 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 child? Are you concerned about limited vocabulary or language delays? Does your child 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 vision affects every area of development across the lifespan. Individuals with Down syndrome are at a higher risk for a range of vision conditions that may affect the development of their visual skills. Lisa will provide education about functional vision and common eye conditions associated with Down Syndrome, as well as strategies to work with the educational and medical systems.

Speaker Bio: Lisa Lind, M.S. Ed., LSCSW, TVI, COMS, is a licensed clinical social worker and teacher of the visually impaired with several decades of experience serving families with children with Down syndrome and visual impairment. She has presented regionally and nationally on the impact of vision with people with the Down syndrome diagnosis and offered expert strategies to maximize their potential across home, school, and community. Lisa has contributed to the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations through training of our staff; advising on new program design; meeting with families and offering resources and supports; and volunteering at our annual fundraisers.

Please Note: Attendees are also welcome to join us prior to the presentation between 6:00 – 6:30 pm to connect with other caregivers, review available resources, and enjoy light refreshments.

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

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!