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 teen. Birth dates are very important as they guide us in which services and supports to recommend to families at each stage of life. At this stage in the lifespan, we specifically target communication to families who have teens approaching adulthood, so we can ensure you have access to critical transition information prior to your teen turning 18 years old.
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.
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.
Down Syndrome Innovations offers services and support offers opportunities and guidance for teens to build skills and reach their potential, as well as educational opportunities and future planning support for parents and caregivers.
We can schedule time with you to get to know the needs of your teen and all of the caregivers involved in his or her life. We will also discuss services and supports relevant to this stage of the 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.
Every quarter, we offer weekly, complimentary/free programming for teens to learn essential new skills, while also gaining important social skills by interacting among their peers. We know teens 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, we have a different theme, such as preparing for employment, kitchen skills, living a healthy lifestyle, and more!
Each quarter’s sessions then culminate with a celebration for all teens to gather and have fun!
Our services and supports are rooted in our organization’s Six Pillars:
We understand that there can be barriers to attending in-person services, which is why we also offer virtual options for teens with Down syndrome! Each quarter, we host Virtual Social Groups that focus on providing a structured environment for teens 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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Down Syndrome Innovations offers interdisciplinary, family-centered therapeutic services to promote long-term success for teens 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 teen 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!
Social Engagement is a therapeutic service that focuses on providing a supported environment where teens with Down syndrome can learn and practice social skills through specialized instruction from members of our therapy team.
Utilizing group instruction, a member of the therapy team meets with self-advocates of similar ages and skills to work on initiating conversations, conversational turn-taking, staying on topic, understanding hidden rules, and so much more.
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).
We are committed to preparing teens 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 teen’s age and your family’s specific situation.
Down Syndrome Innovations provides essential, vetted resources to teen self-advocates, as well as parents and caregivers of teens 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.
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 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.
Check out our upcoming events for your loved one’s age range!
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
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
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
These workouts are inclusive exercise opportunities at various gyms around the Kansas City metro. Workouts are designed to improve functional strength and stamina. These occur at different locations every... READ MORE
At Down Syndrome Innovations, our team understands that teaching your loved one with Down syndrome about puberty, sexuality, and relationships can feel very overwhelming. Using materials from the evidence-based... READ MORE
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
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
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
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
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
Social Engagement is a therapeutic service focused on providing a supported environment where teens and adults with Down syndrome can learn and practice social skills through specialized instruction from... READ MORE
These VIRTUAL groups focus on providing a structured environment for teens to socialize, learn, and have fun! Facilitated by Lifespan Services Team member, Lauren Spector. Tuesdays from 5:30... READ MORE
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
~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
~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
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
Our fall Skills Series will consist of structured activities and exercises to help self-advocates age 12-18 learn and gain a better understanding of necessary skills to help them better... READ MORE
We are on this journey with you, now and throughout the lifespan of your child. Consider us your lifetime provider on this journey.
