There is so much to look forward to this spring!
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April News for You!
Down Syndrome Innovations offers services and supports at every age and stage to help your teen grow and thrive.
This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family!
Join Us for our 38th Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 11th!
Grab your family and friends and join us for our 38th Birthday Bash as we recognize nearly 4 decades of our mission dedicated to people with Down syndrome! That’s definitely a reason to celebrate!
Stop by any time between 9:30 and 11:30 am to enjoy birthday cake, fun activities, playing on our new, adaptive playground, photo ops…and more! Be sure to RSVP, so that we may plan for appropriate accommodations!
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Mark Your Calendars!
The 2022 KC Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk
is on Saturday, October 15th!
This year will be an epic event with all kinds of new activities, specifically tailored to your loved one's age range! Let's get excited!
REGISTRATION COMING SOON,
so stay tuned!
Don't miss this opportunity for teens and adults with Down syndrome to explore career opportunities!
This is a come-and-go event, so you can stop by any time between 6-8 pm. The job fair will consist of employers actively hiring for positions, continuing education programs, career planning services, community resources and mock interview stations.
RSVP for Teen Skills Series
Focusing on Job Skills
(On-Site / Groups)
Our Teen Skills Series kicked off last week!
These weekly, one-hour sessions offer teens the opportunity to socialize with peers and learn, practice, and implement both practical and soft employment skills.
We will also explore available options for employment and how to find what is available in your community.
We are offer two sessions on Mondays: a 5:00 to 6:00 pm or a 6:15 to 7:15pm.
NOTE: due to the generous support of our donors and grantors, these events are complimentary/free for our families
Please note: groups will be limited to 20 participants per session out of caution.
Once a group has reached 20 registered participants, a waitlist will be started.
You will be contacted in the event of an open spot for a session.
Register Now for Spring Virtual Teen Social Groups!
(Online)
Hosted on Wednesdays from 5:15 - 6 pm, this weekly virtual social group is a supervised Zoom meeting where teens have the opportunity to interact and get to know their peers, as well as take breaks with songs and games.
*Zoom links will be sent to all registered email addresses the morning of each scheduled virtual social group.
NOTE: due to the generous support of our donors and grantors, these events are complimentary/free for our families
COMING SOON: Summer Camp Registration!
Teen Summer Camp is returning! Be sure you mark your calendars for 8 am - 2 pm on June 7th, 8th & 9th!
Stay tuned for more information from Tyler!
It’s never too early to begin planning for your loved one’s success in adulthood! Targeted for families (ages 6 and 21), this seminar will provide an overview of topics that will help position your loved one for living a fulfilling adult life.
We will discuss building skills to increase independence and employability; state and federal benefits (for KS & MO); navigating the funding intake systems; connecting with your county’s CDDO (community developmental disability organization); and much more. When registering, please indicate your priorities for topics that most interest you! Information will be tailored to those in attendance, so we will not record this session.
April is World Autism Month!
Why does that matter? Because approximately 16-18% of people with Down syndrome also have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Richards et al., 2015).
Read more about Down syndrome and Autism here >>
A MESSAGE FROM THE DOWN SYNDROME INNOVATIONS TEAM:
"Down Syndrome Innovations embraces every family’s strengths and challenges. Members of our Lifespan Services Team have experience using evidence-based practices with individuals, who have a variety of diagnoses including Down syndrome and autism," shares Megan DeBoom, Director of Therapeutic Services.
Megan DeBoom, BCBA, LBA
Director of Therapeutic Services,
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
"We are dedicated to providing support to all self-advocates and their families, every step of the journey," says Megan.
Making Dreams a Reality!
Isaac Fisher, who has been engaged in our Pathways Therapy Services since 2019, recently demonstrated the skills he learned to accomplish something he has been dreaming about!
“Isaac showed off his emotional regulation skills by jumping off the high dive at his local community center pool,” shares Morgan Hodges, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist.
“He previously participated in Pathway’s Ready, Set, Regulate which is focused on building emotional regulation skills. We are so proud of his growth and love seeing it in action! Now, Isaac models those skills in our Pathway’s Social Engagement groups. Go Isaac!”
Pictured: Isaac (age 11) reaching new heights!
Have you “connected” with us yet?
