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Ages 2 - 6

Early 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 this 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: email us!

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. 

2 - 6 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.

"Connect & Play" for Young Children & Caregivers (ages Newborn - 6 Years Old)

Our “Connect & Play” groups are for families looking to connect with other families out in the community, closer to home!

Connect & Play is an opportunity for parents/caregivers to grow your community, while your little ones play! Events will take place at different locations, days and times to accommodate families with various schedules!

To learn more and/or register, please CLICK HERE  >>

Playgroup Preview

Enjoy a sneak peek into the new therapy gym on our Lifelong Learning Campus and learn about our upcoming pilot in May and and the launch of playgroups this summer.

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!

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!

Medical Care of Your Child with Down Syndrome Presented by Nasreen J. Talib, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Clinic at Children's Mercy

Medical Care of Your Child with Down Syndrome – VIRTUAL

In this virtual presentation, Dr. Talib will provide an overview of the Health Supervision Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome; identify some of the common vulnerabilities of... READ MORE

  • Date:Tuesday, November 5th
  • Time:6:30 - 7:30 pm
  • Location:VIRTUAL
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:Donor-Funded / FREE due to the generosity of our donors, grantors and community partners!

Workshop: Mental Health and Resiliency in the ID/DD Community

Stronger Minds and Brighter Futures! Improving emotional well-being and quality of life is a priority within the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations. Join us for this workshop and learn... READ MORE

  • Date:Thursday, Dec. 12th
  • Time:6:30 - 8:00 pm
  • Location: Joe Herndon Branch Library: 6131 Raytown Road, Raytown MO
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:GRANT-FUNDED/FREE - Made possible by funding from Children's Services Fund of Jackson County and Eitas

Connect & Play! (Various Locations, Ages 0 – 6)

Join us for a Connect and Play event near you (for expectant/newborn families through 6 years)! These events are your opportunity to grow your community through parent and caregiver... READ MORE

  • Dates:Multiple Dates
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here
  • Fee:FREE/DONOR-FUNDED thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, grantors and Community Partners!

Caregiver Connection: DS – ASD (Virtual)

Caregiver Connection: DS – ASD 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... READ MORE

  • Virtual Groups:Hosted Monthly
  • Day/Time:Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:00 pm on 9/11, 10/9, 11/13, 12/11
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here
  • Fee:FREE/Donor-funded thanks to the generosity of Step Up Walk donors and grantors

Communicating Effectively With Your School Team (Virtual)

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:Thursday, Sept. 19th
  • Time:Thursday, Sept. 19th
  • LocationVIRTUAL
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here!
  • Fee:FREE/DONOR-FUNDED thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, grantors and Community Partners!

Special Olympics: Young Athletes (4-7 yrs)

 In partnership with Special Olympics, Young Athletes is designed to promote the development of an active lifestyle through play for children between the ages of 4 and 7. Self-advocates... READ MORE

  • Date/Time:Wednesdays from 5 - 5:45 pm, beginning Aug. 21
  • Learn More & Submit Interest FormClick Here
  • Fee:FREE/DONOR-FUNDED thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, grantors and Community Partners!

2024 KC “Step Up for Down Syndrome” Walk

Please join us at our Kansas City Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk!  Join Us for a “Reunion Style” Walk! Gather your “DREAM TEAM” and get ready to STEP... READ MORE

  • Date:Saturday, October 5th
  • Time:10:00 am - 2:00 pm | Ceremonial Walk at 10:30 am
  • Location:Truman Sports Complex | Kauffman Stadium
  • Learn More & Register!Click Here
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.