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 caregivers—and we are here to guide you every step of the journey! Long-Term Planning Consultations offer individualized support to parents/caregivers to better prepare for the transition towards adulthood. Tasks or topics may include identifying your county's developmental disability organization (CDDO), navigating the IDD eligibility process, understanding options for case management, referrals to attorneys and special needs financial planners, and defining action steps towards long-term goals. Our Lifespan Service Team will help you prioritize and plan according to your loved one’s age and your family’s specific situation. 

Please register and then we will contact you to schedule an appointment that works for your family.  Appointments can be in-person at DSI or via Zoom.

Due to local philanthropic funding, every central Missouri family with a loved one with Down syndrome qualifies for a single therapeutic caregiver consultation this year at no cost, provided via telehealth. Consultations occur by scheduled appointments that occur during daytime hours on weekdays.  

During the appointment, a Down-syndrome specialized therapist (OT, BCBA, SLP, or LCSW) will provide a skilled consultation discussing strategies that will assist with the expressed need, which may include toilet training, behavioral or emotional concerns, sensory challenges, or difficulties with activities of daily living.  

Completing this registration will inform us you are interested in this service and following review of your information, the Intake Specialist will contact you for scheduling.

These 45-minute large-group classes are designed for general strength and endurance improvement. Ideal for individuals who can follow along with minimal prompts in a group setting, these classes are great for those wanting to add exercise to their weekly routine.

Each workout is structured to benefit multiple attributes of overall fitness and is adaptable to all levels of experience.

The cost for the service is $22 per month (1 session per week) with the option to select the 5p session or 6p session as space in each allows. If a session is full, you can request to be added to the waiting list, and participants are moved into the class as space becomes available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Payment Information: No payment is required at registration. Please bypass the payment system by using the promo code "BILLME" at checkout. Scott Quaife, our Fitness & Nutrition Coordinator, will contact you to review the service and intake process. Billing occurs after completing a service agreement and an exercise assessment. This service is pre-billed at the beginning of each month. Grant funding is currently available for eligible Jackson and Platte County residents.

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

Our Co-Regulation Therapeutic Groups are geared towards self-advocates and caregivers who need to find shared language and shared strategies to work through big emotions. Self-advocate participants must be at least 14 years old. One caregiver (preferably someone who lives in the home or spends a significant amount of time with the self-advocate) will be required to attend each session.

During each session, caregivers and self-advocates will participate in both 1:1 and group learning activities to build emotional regulation skills including identifying body sensations and emotions, engaging in mindful movement, selecting appropriate solutions to everyday challenges, and identifying expected behavior across home and community.

GROUP CAPACITY: Each group will be capped at 8 families. Families will be notified if the group is full and a waiting list has been started.

Tuesdays from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. This group meets on the following dates:1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, and 4/21.

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

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

Our Co-Regulation Therapeutic Groups are geared towards self-advocates and caregivers who need to find shared language and shared strategies to work through big emotions. Self-advocate participants must be at least 14 years old. One caregiver (preferably someone who lives in the home or spends a significant amount of time with the self-advocate) will be required to attend each session.

During each session, caregivers and self-advocates will participate in both 1:1 and group learning activities to build emotional regulation skills including identifying body sensations and emotions, engaging in mindful movement, selecting appropriate solutions to everyday challenges, and identifying expected behavior across home and community.

GROUP CAPACITY: Each group will be capped at 8 families. Families will be notified if the group is full and a waiting list has been started.

Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. This group meets on the following dates:1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, and 4/21.

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

(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.

 Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. This group meets on the following dates:1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, and 4/21.

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

These Virtual Social Groups for Teens provide a structured, creative, and dynamic environment for participants to socialize, learn, and have fun together, without the hassle of leaving the house or arranging transportation. Lauren Holmes, the facilitator of the group, who is our Virtual Life Skills Specialist, ensures every individual is included in meaningful ways during the group activities. This is also an awesome opportunity to build meaningful relationships with new friends who are both local and from other states in our country.

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

Adults are invited to attend our in-person social groups on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM. Sessions are always a balance of continuing education and having a good time with friends. We’d love to see you there!