July 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!

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 Fall Playgroups!

Children (ages 2 - 6 years) are invited to join us for our fall Playgroups taking place on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:00 pm, beginning Aug. 23rd! 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!

Sessions take place: 8/23, 8/30, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18
 
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.

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 Fall, Young Athletes!

Children (ages 4 - 7) are invited to join us Thursdays from 4:15 - 5:00 pm, beginning Aug. 24th for our Young Athletes program!

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

Sessions take place: 8/24, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12

NOTE: please sign up to indicate that you are interested in the Young Athletes program. There are limited spots available in order for every child to receive sufficient support and instruction, and there will be a maximum of 6 children per class this season. Spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis, and based on commitment to the scheduled times and meeting of age and documentation criteria. 
 

Please note: this service is donor-funded / free for our families, due to the generous support of our donors, grantors, and community partners!

Have You Scheduled Your Complimentary Therapeutic Consultations?

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 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!