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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 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 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

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. 

2022 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.

Playgroups for Young Children & Caregivers

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!

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!

Our Playgroups take place on-site at our Lifelong Learning Campus in Mission, KS.

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

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.

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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!

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!

Connect & Play!

NEW SERVICE! We heard your feedback, so we’ve launched a new service for families who have a little one with Down syndrome, ranging from newborn to 6 years old!... READ MORE

  • Dates:Multiple Dates: 11/11 - 1/25/24
  • Learn More & RegisterClick Here
  • Fee:FREE: Funded by our donors from the KC 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!

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

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

Fall Playgroups

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... READ MORE

  • Date/Time:Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:00 pm, beginning Aug. 23rd
  • Learn More & RegisterClick 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

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!
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.