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March News for You!
Down Syndrome Innovations offers services and supports at every age and stage to help your child grow and thrive.
This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family!
Down Syndrome Innovations is pleased to 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.
Join Us for Our Spring Playgroups!
Our Spring Playgroups are going! Playgroups are designed to promote development and learning for children with Down syndrome. Created by our Pathways Therapy Team, our Playgroups feature activities that help children learn through play and exploration!
Schedule for On-Site Playgroups
at Down Syndrome Innovations:
*Wednesdays from 5:00 – 6:00 pm*
Sessions: 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26
*Fridays from 8:30 – 9:30 am*
Sessions: 4/7, 4/21, 4/28
Playgroups also offer parents a unique opportunity to build connections with one another! When multiple families participate, parents often exchange numbers and stay connected! It’s a space for parents to connect and kids to play!
Please Note: One caregiver is required to be present and participate in Playgroup activities. Caregiver education materials will be provided throughout Playgroup sessions to encourage continued learning and play within home and community environments.
NEW! You're Invited to our
Playgroup at Wonderscope!
Tuesday, April 11th
2:30 - 4:00 pm*
Wonderscope: 433 E Red Bridge Rd,
Kansas City, MO 64131
Down Syndrome Innovations is partnering with Wonderscope to offer play time for young children with Down syndrome (ages 2-6 year olds) in a dynamic and inclusive environment, where the mission is to spark a lifelong love of learning through the universal and uniting power of play.
Families will have the opportunity to participate in a playgroup class and explore the museum exhibits. The play time is a great opportunity for children to learn and develop play skills, and for parents to create special memories with their children and meaningful connections with one another.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a cap for this event of 50 people: 25 adults and 25 children. The fee is complimentary/free for one parent and a child with Down syndrome.
*We will be hosting more of these Playgroups at Wonderscope in the future at different times to try and accommodate working families, so stay tuned!
Gain Important Insight: Schedule an Occupational Therapy Consultation!
Consider you and your self-advocate’s daily life, the things that occupy your time, and how you engage in the rhythms of life. Do you worry about how to help your self-advocate build skills of independence? Does your self-advocate have sensory preferences you are unsure how to support? What barriers to a meaningful and full life stand in your way?
Our Occupational Therapist, Morgan Hodges, provides complimentary consultations, with both in-person and virtual appointments.
Morgan is skilled at providing functional therapeutic supports that can be used in your home and in your community.
“Everyone is on a different path of independence. There is not an universal end goal of 'independent,' but rather opportunities to build skills such as self-determination, self-advocacy, and decision making to equip and empower your self-advocate across the lifespan," explains Morgan Hodges, OTR/L. "Rather than going from 0 to 100, consider a small and meaningful next step to foster independence today. Our team at Down Syndrome Innovations is here to guide you along this journey and provide you with the support to facilitate skills of independence in your home and community.”
Check out our World Down Syndrome Day photo album on Facebook!
From our visit at the KS State Capitol (with State Representative Jason Goetz) to advocate for employment for people with Down syndrome to our Drive-Thru Celebration...it was an AMAZING day celebrating our beloved community of people (of all ages!) with Down syndrome!
THANK YOU to everyone who celebrated with us on this VERY important Day!
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!
