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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 services and supports are rooted in our organization’s Lifespan Framework: Daily Living; Health & Wellness; Vocational Development; Communication; Community Engagement; Social & Emotional; 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

2023 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. 

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!

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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!

Communicating Effectively With Your School Team (Jackson County)

Developing a strong, collaborative relationship with your self-advocate’s school team is vital in creating a healthy, supportive environment for your child’s educational journey. This seminar is designed to help... READ MORE

  • Date:Tuesday, December 5th
  • Time:5:00 - 7:00 pm
  • LocationWinterset Community Center: 2505 SW Wintercreek Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64081
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:FREE: Funded by our donors from the Step Up Walk, Grantors and Community Partners!

Planning Ahead for the Adult Years: Writing Your Family’s Letter of Intent

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... READ MORE

  • Date:Tuesday, Oct 3rd
  • Time:6:30 to 8:00 pm
  • Location:Down Syndrome Innovations: 5916 Dearborn St, Mission, KS 66202
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Price:Donor-Funded / FREE

Caregiver Health & Wellness – Virtual

Back by popular demand—and provided virtually! At Down Syndrome Innovations, our Team understands that in order to be a lifespan provider for your family it is essential that we... READ MORE

  • Date/Time:Tuesday, November 14th | 5:00 - 6:00 pm
  • FormatVIRTUAL
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:FREE: Funded by our donors from the Step Up Walk, Grantors and Community Partners!

Social Engagement: Therapeutic Small Groups (for Children 8 – 12 years)

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

  • Day/Time:Thursdays from 5 - 6 pm, beginning Aug. 24th
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here
  • Price8 Therapeutic Sessions for $220

Speech-Language Consultations – Pathways Therapy Service

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... READ MORE

  • Date:2023 Ongoing
  • Learn MoreClick Here!
  • Fee:Complimentary / FREE

DS-ASD Connection Group

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... READ MORE

  • Virtual Groups:2nd Wednesday of Each Month, Beginning in June
  • Time:5:30 - 6:00 pm
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here
  • Fee:Donor-Funded / FREE

Occupational Therapy Consultations – Pathways Therapy Service

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... READ MORE

  • Date:2023 Ongoing
  • Learn More
  • Fee:Complimentary / FREE

Behavior Consultations – Pathways Therapy Service

Do behavior challenges make it difficult to complete daily routines such as getting ready for school or going to bed? Do you avoid activities or places because you fear... READ MORE

  • Date:2023 Ongoing
  • Learn More
  • Fee:Complimentary / FREE

School-Age Support Consultations

Do you have concerns about behaviors or self-regulation in the home? Do you need help interpreting your child’s IEP or need strategies to better collaborate with your school team?... READ MORE

  • Date:Ongoing
  • To Learn More:Click Here!
  • CostDONOR-FUNDED / FREE

Children’s Social Skills Series (In Person)

Ages 6 – 12  |  Our Skills Series focuses on activities designed to help children develop and practice social skills. Our fall groups will focus on providing a structured... READ MORE

  • Date/Time:Wednesdays from 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm, beginning Aug. 23rd
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:Donor-Funded / FREE

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... READ MORE

  • Date/Time:Thursdays from 4:15 - 5:00 pm, beginning Aug. 24th
  • Learn More & Submit Interest FormClick Here
  • Fee:Donor-Funded / FREE

2023 KC “Step Up for Down Syndrome” Walk

Please join us at the 29th Annual Kansas City Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk!    New this year! We will be featuring family connection areas specific for each... READ MORE

  • Date:Saturday, October 28th
  • Time:10 am - 2 pm / Walk @ 1:30 pm
  • Location:Arrowhead Stadium, Parking Lot C
  • Learn More & Register!Click Here

Health and Wellness Consultations

~Health & Wellness Consultations~ Would you like to talk to a health and wellness professional who understands Down syndrome to develop proactive strategies for incorporating more activity into your... READ MORE

  • Date:Spring 2023
  • Learn More
  • CostComplimentary / FREE

Long-Term Planning Consultations

~Long-Term Planning Consultations~ We are committed to preparing your loved one with Down syndrome for a meaningful, productive, and authentic adult life! This requires future planning for parents and... READ MORE

  • Date:Winter 2022 - 2023
  • Learn More
  • CostComplimentary / FREE

Planning Ahead for the Adult Years – VIRTUAL

It’s never too early to begin planning for your loved one’s success in adulthood! Targeted for families (with loved ones up to 18 years of age), this seminar will... READ MORE

  • Date:Wednesday, December 6th
  • Time6:30 - 8:00 pm
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:FREE: Funded by our donors from the Step Up Walk, Grantors and Community Partners!

Fall: Ready, Set, Regulate (Therapeutic Small Groups)

Therapeutic service for ages 6 – 12 years old  |  Designed and facilitated by our Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Ready, Set, Regulate offers caregivers and self-advocates the opportunity to... READ MORE

  • Days of the WeekTuesdays (5:00 – 6:00) & Thursdays (4:00 – 5:00)
  • EnrollClick Here
  • Learn MoreClick Here
  • Fee:8 Therapeutic Sessions for $220
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.