Ages 6 - 12

Childhood

Welcome! Down Syndrome Innovations offers services for the developmental progress and social success of your child, as well as educational opportunities and future planning support for parents and caregivers. We are on this journey with you now, and throughout the lifespan of your child. Consider us your child's lifetime partner on this journey. ​

Our Unique Approach

Our Lifespan Services Team created our Lifespan Services Framework, which is the core of how we approach our mission and our work.

This Framework is a person-centered framework where the entire course of our services and supports—across their lifespan—revolves around the story, preferences, strengths, uniqueness, needs and available support system of each individual we serve. It is a dynamic framework evolving across any age or lifespan stage. When applying this framework, our Team ensures that we are addressing 7 key skills geared towards advancing the individual within their home and community life: Communication, Social-Emotional Skills, Daily Living, Vocational Development, Community Engagement, Health and Wellness, and Safety.

Get Connected

Have you filled out our contact form?

We encourage you to fill out our contact form so a member of our team can follow up with you and recommend relevant services and supports, plus we can add you to our mailing list!

It is especially critical that we have the birth date of your child. Birth dates are very important as they guide us in which services and supports to recommend to families at each stage of life.

We will follow up with you promptly after we receive your contact form, but you are welcome to message us directly as well, as we want to be responsive to your needs!

Your Personalized Newsletter

2024 Newsletters

Wherever you are on your journey, our expert Lifespan Services Team is with you continually finding new ways to offer innovative services for every age and season of life. 

6 - 12 year olds newsletter

Services & Support

Down Syndrome Innovations offers services and support for the developmental progress and social success of your child, as well as educational opportunities and future planning support for parents and caregivers.

Complimentary Consultations (virtual or in-person)

We can schedule time with you to get to know your family’s needs and your child’s current stage of development, plus discuss services and supports relevant to this stage of your journey. We want to make the process of engaging with our organization as easy as possible for your family. If you are not sure what you need or how we can help, signing up for a consultation is the best step forward. There is something we can do at every step of the journey to support your family.

Skill-Building Series & Social Programming for Children

Every quarter, we offer weekly, complimentary/free programming for children to learn essential new skills, while also gaining important social skills by interacting among their peers. We know children learn more when they have fun, which is why our programming is a great way to make new friends, gain independence, enjoy movement and physical activity, and best of all, have fun!

Each quarter’s sessions then culminate with a celebration for all children to gather and have fun! 

Our services and supports are rooted in our organization’s Six Pillars:

  1. Daily Living
  2. Community Engagement
  3. Communication and Social Skills
  4. Health, Wellness and Safety
  5. Self-Advocacy
  6. Vocational Development
Virtual Options!

We understand that there can be barriers to attending in-person services, which is why we also offer virtual options for kiddos with Down syndrome! Each quarter, we host Virtual Social Groups that focus on providing a structured environment for children to socialize, learn, and have fun! Visit our events page to sign up!

Due to the generous support of our donors and grantors, these services are complimentary/free for families!

Pathways Therapy Services

Down Syndrome Innovations offers interdisciplinary, family-centered therapeutic services to promote long-term success for children with Down syndrome.

The Pathways team includes an occupational therapist (OT), a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The therapy team works by bringing together their unique, yet complementary, perspectives to help support skill acquisition across the home and community. Our team utilizes the Down Syndrome Innovations’ Lifespan Framework to guide goals and interventions across services.

Some services are designed for coaching caregivers and others are designed for direct intervention for your child with Down syndrome. Pathways therapy services may take place on our Lifelong Learning Campus in Mission, KS or through teletherapy.

Learn more about Pathways Therapy Services.

If you are interested in learning more or enrolling, the first step is to get in touch with us!

Ready, Set, Regulate! (Therapeutic Small Groups)

Designed and facilitated by our Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Ready, Set, Regulate focuses on providing a supported environment where your child can learn and practice social skills.

The goal of the group is to learn and practice social skills such as taking turns, following group instructions, and managing big emotions.

These weekly therapeutic, small group sessions take place each quarter over a period of 8 weeks. The fee for this therapeutic service is $200 (ask us about county grant opportunities that often cover a portion of the cost of our therapeutic services).

Long-Term Planning Consultations

We are committed to preparing children with Down syndrome for a meaningful, productive, and authentic adult life in the future. This requires providing assistance to parents and caregivers for future planning. This service provides individualized support to parents and caregivers to better prepare for the transition towards adulthood. Tasks and exercises may include contacting your local CDDO, applying for public funding, accessing local ID/DD services, learning about supported decision making, and defining action steps towards long-term goals. Our Lifespan Service Team will help you prioritize and plan according to your child’s age and your family’s specific situation.

Resources

Down Syndrome Innovations provides essential, vetted resources to parents of children with Down syndrome.

Health Care Information for Families of Children with Down Syndrome

The Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines are a thoughtful composite of the input of many experts involved in the care of people with Down syndrome. They reflect current standards and practices of health care in the United States of America. They have been designed for a wide audience: for health care professionals who are providing primary care, as well as specialists, nursing personnel and other allied health professionals, educators and early intervention providers, and parents and other caregivers.

Other Websites

We know that by partnering with other organizations that support our community, we are better together! That’s why we often feature other organizations and resources, so that your family has access to everything you might need throughout this journey!

Down Syndrome Clinic at Children's Mercy Hospital

Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital serves as a medical screening mechanism for children with Down syndrome from birth through adolescence, following the Health Care Guidelines created by the National Network of Medical Clinics for Children with Down syndrome. An experienced team of professionals with an expertise and interest in Down syndrome participate in a weekly Down Syndrome Clinic in which each provider meets with the scheduled patient and their family to review and evaluate the specific needs of each child.

Events

Check out our upcoming events for your loved one’s age range!

InBody Scan and Consultation

By appointment only Down Syndrome Innovations5916 Dearborn St, Mission, KS $25 for individual, $40 for 2, $50 for family SUBMIT INTEREST FORM The InBody is a medical-grade body composition... READ MORE

Therapeutic Workshop: Literacy and AAC

Tuesday, July 8-Thursday, July 10 9:30 – 11:30 am (each day) ​Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS $100 for 3-day workshop *Jackson County and Platte County residents,... READ MORE

Therapeutic Workshop: Potty Party

Tuesday, June 17 or Wednesday, June 18 9:30 – 11:30 am ​Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS $30 for one session *Jackson County and Platte County residents,... READ MORE

Promoting Health and Hygiene: Empowering Women with Down Syndrome – VIRTUAL

Thursday, June 12 6:30 – 8:00 pm VIRTUAL – a Zoom link will be provided to registered families​ Complimentary REGISTER NOW Join us for an informative session focused on... READ MORE

Evento En Español De Divulgación (Spanish-Speaking Information Event)

Viernes 23 de mayo (Friday, May 23) 6:30 – 8:00 pm ​Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS Gratuito (Complimentary) REGISTER NOW Nos complace invitarlo a un evento... READ MORE

Life Care Plans and Special Needs Trust

Tuesday, July 29 6:30 – 8:00 pm Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS Complimentary REGISTER NOW Ensuring your loved one has the financial resources required to meet... READ MORE

How to Financially Empower the Down Syndrome Community with ABLE Accounts – VIRTUAL

Tuesday, July 22 6:30 – 8:00 pm VIRTUAL – a Zoom link will be provided to registered families Complimentary REGISTER NOW ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save... READ MORE

Youth Fitness Class (Ages 8 – 12)

Thursdays: June 5, 12 & 26, July 10, 17 & 24 4:00 – 4:45 pm ​Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS Complimentary REGISTER NOW Our Youth Fitness... READ MORE

Functional Fitness: How Exercise Plays a Critical Role in Supporting Common Conditions That Affect Development and Independence

Caregiver Education: Functional Fitness – VIRTUAL

Designed for all ages! Join us for an educational seminar that will not only address the main health challenges of people with Down syndrome, but also how to address... READ MORE

  • For All Ages!
  • Date:Thursday, May 29th
  • Time:6:30 - 8:00 pm
  • Virtual Seminar
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:FREE: Funded by our donors, sponsors and grantors

DS-ASD Virtual Caregiver Connection Group – VIRTUAL

Wednesdays: June 11, July 9 & July 13 5:30 – 6:00 pm VIRTUAL – a Zoom link will be provided to registered families​ Complimentary REGISTER NOW Caregiver Connection: DS... READ MORE

Children’s Social Skills Group (On-Site, Ages 6-12)

Fridays: June 20 & July 18 10:00 – 11:30 am ​Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS Complimentary REGISTER NOW Our Children’s Social Skills Group consists of activities... READ MORE

Special Olympics: Young Athletes (4-7 yrs)

Mondays & Wednesdays: June 9, 11, 18, 23 & 25, July 7 & 9 5:00 – 5:45 pm ​Down Syndrome Innovations 5916 Dearborn St, Mission KS Complimentary REGISTER NOW... READ MORE

Ages 2 - 6

Early Childhood

Welcome families of children with Down syndrome! Down Syndrome Innovations offers services for the developmental progress and social success of your child, as well as educational opportunities and future planning support for parents and caregivers.

We are on this journey with you, now and throughout the lifespan of your child. Consider us your lifetime provider on this journey.