Caregiver Connection: Aging Years offers an opportunity for caregivers to discuss resources, strategies, community supports, and challenges related to caring for an aging loved one with Down syndrome.

We understand this is a growing group of entire population we serve, with unique challenges and experiences, and we hear how important it is for you all to feel connected. We hope that meeting one another in this group will organically open up opportunities for you all to spend time together face to face as you develop meaningful connections with one another.

All registered participants will receive a Zoom link from the instructor. 

(See information below about Fees-for-Service if you would like to register today without payment.)

Designed and facilitated by our Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Ready, Set, Regulate offers caregivers and self-advocates the opportunity to participate in both 1:1 and group learning activities.  This therapeutic small group is geared towards children ages 5-13 years old and their parents or caregivers, who need to find shared language and shared strategies to work through big emotions.

Sessions focus on building emotional regulation skills, including: identifying emotions, selecting appropriate solutions to everyday challenges, and identifying expected behavior across home and community.

PLEASE NOTE: One caregiver (preferably someone who lives in the home or spends a significant amount of time with the self-advocate) is required to attend each session. 6 participants max. Families will be notified if the group is full and a waiting list has been started.

FEES-for-SERVICE/PAYMENT: No payment is necessary at this time.  Please bypass the payment system by indicating at checkout that you would like to “Pay by Cash”.  The Intake Specialist will contact you to discuss the service and your payment options in more detail.  Billing will occur following completion of a service agreement and a commitment to attend the entire series of sessions.  Monthly payment plans are available for all attendees.  Grant funding is currently available for eligible Jackson and Platte County residents.

If you have questions about this service prior to registration, please contact jack@kcdsi.org

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 of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This group is facilitated by Down Syndrome Innovations staff, and we will occasionally invite special guests with expertise in this area.  This is a complimentary caregiver education opportunity, provided in addition to the individualized services we provide directly for individuals with DS-ASD for the purpose of skill-development, improving self-regulation and behavior, and increasing independence.

We are providing this group virtually to ensure we are being inclusive of families throughout the region and those who are not able to access transportation, as we understand that facing a dual-diagnosis can already feel isolating in and of itself.  We understand this is a subgroup of the entire population we serve, with unique challenges and experiences, and we hear how important it is for you all to feel connected. We hope that meeting one another in this group will organically open up opportunities for you all to spend time together face to face as you develop meaningful connections with one another.

All registered participants will receive a Zoom link from the instructor. 

People with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities deserve investment in their mental health. Our specialized mental health services, provided by licensed and certified therapists, improve quality of life and daily functioning by teaching skills related to the following topics: emotional resiliency, conflict and stress, grief and loss, acceptance of diagnosis, and transitions across the lifespan. Services are provided directly to the individuals with ID/DD, with additional supports included to increase caregiver resiliency and support the entire family’s emotional well-being. Therapists will use a strengths-based approach focusing on solutions for daily life.

Completing this registration will inform us you are interested in an intake conversation to discuss your loved one's needs and learn more about how our services can support your family.

Johnson County residents may inquire about our partnership with Johnson County Mental Health, which allows for insurance to be used for services provided by the JCMH Counselor on our campus.

Our intake process is complimentary. Fees-for-service for the elected service and the available funding subsidies will be discussed in the intake.  Families sign a service agreement prior to any billing. Payment plans are available.

Jackson County residents may receive services at no cost if eligible, as a result of active grant funding provided by Children's Services Fund of Jackson County and EITAS.

We offer family-centered, strengths-based therapeutic services designed to promote long-term success to people with Down syndrome in their unique home and community life. Our dynamic therapy sessions focus on functional, community-based and home-based skills in the domains of community participation, communication, life transitions, social/emotional, sensory, and activities of daily living. Our therapy team includes an occupational therapist (OT), a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Children, teens, and adult self-advocates will work with a therapist on goals that are meaningful to your family. 

Completing this registration will inform us you are interested in an intake conversation to discuss your loved one's needs and learn more about how our services can support your family.

Our intake process is complimentary. Fees-for-service for the elected service and the available funding subsidies will be discussed in the intake.  Families sign a service agreement prior to any billing. Payment plans are available.

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 month on Saturdays.

After submitting this registration, our Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator will contact you to discuss your options for community workout participation in your local area.

There are limited spots available for every self-advocate to receive sufficient support and coaching. Athletes are expected to be able to follow instructions and a structured routine for a safe and meaningful exercise experience for all, and therefore there is a maximum number of participants per class.

Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis, and based on commitment to the scheduled times. A waiting list will be created when enrollment is full for future opportunities.

The InBody is a medical-grade body composition analyzer that gives valuable information about your health. Unlike a scale that only tells us weight, the InBody measures everything that we’re made of, including muscle mass, fat, and water weight. The InBody allows us to see exactly how much of each an individual has and track progress over time. This device also measures visceral fat (the fat around our organs), which increases the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high cholesterol.

The InBody also determines individual metabolism, which is very important for creating healthy eating habits. Getting the assessment done is as simple as standing on the InBody and holding the handles and takes only 30-60 seconds to complete! After the measurement, a consultation about the results will follow. Appointments will take approximately 20-30 minutes.

Completing this registration will indicate your interest in this service. Our Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator, Scott Quaife, will reach out to you for scheduling. 

Fee-for-service: $25 for individual, $40 for 2, $50 for family

Enter "BILLME" as a Promo Code to complete today's registration without payment. You will receive an email from the instructor within 2-5 business days to schedule your appointment.

This service creates a plan to set and achieve healthy eating goals. We will walk through factors to consider and learn about healthy, nutritious options for the whole family. This is accomplished through the use of the “Precision Nutrition” coaching method, a customized diet plan, and a useful plan to achieve your goals.

The Nutrition Coaching package features (4) 45-minute individualized sessions with the self-advocate and their supporter(s). Included in the cost of these sessions is an InBody scan, both before and after the coaching sessions. This is an added value built into this service and provides very helpful body composition information.