Your personalized newsletter for expectant parents - 2 year olds... No images? Click here September Down Syndrome Innovations (formerly Down Syndrome Guild) offers services and supports at every age and stage to help your baby grow and thrive. This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family! History: In 1984, President Reagan signed a bill declaring October Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Let's CELEBRATE! We encourage you to celebrate all month-long by posting facts, sharing stories or pictures, linking to videos, and answering questions your friends and family may have to help them better understand that life with Down syndrome is something to celebrate! Need more ideas about how to celebrate? KC WALK: Team T-Shirt Deadline is NEXT Sunday, September 26th, at 6:00 pm! What does that mean?! It means, if you want your TEAM NAME Be sure to share your team's unique URL with family and friends too, so they can show their TEAM PRIDE on Walk Day! We are so EXCITED to reunite with your families this year at Arrowhead Stadium! Get ready for an epic day! Complimentary Consultations: Want to learn more about how we can support your family? Need help planning for your child's future? Sign up for a 30-minute complimentary consultation today! Our goal is to learn about your needs and provide recommendations for services and supports that are most relevant for this stage of your journey. Email Amy to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment! Down Syndrome Innovations is thrilled to welcome Grace Hunter, Skills Specialist, to our super talented team! Grace has four years of experience supporting individuals with special needs in a professional setting. However, she has been blessed with a younger sister, Addie, who is 19-years-old and has Down syndrome—so she is familiar with the territory! "My younger sister Addie sparked my passion to support families who have a child with developmental disabilities." Grace earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science at Kansas State University. GRACE HUNTER “I was compelled to enter this role because I am crazy about creating opportunities for individuals I love with Down syndrome,” shares Grace. “The team members at Down Syndrome Innovations are the most creative, dynamic, generous, and positive individuals to work with.” Outside of work, Grace loves to spend time with friends and enjoys being outside, whether that to play pickleball, walk or rollerblade! Please join us in welcoming Grace! Our next support gathering will take place in November. Be sure and save the date and watch for more details and registration to open soon! What is a CDDO? As a provision of the Developmental Disabilities Reform Act, a Community Developmental Disability Organization has been designated for every area of each state (typically by county) to help coordinate services and supports for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. What does a CDDO do?
Find and connect to your CDDO: Keys to Success Conference Down Syndrome Innovations hosts a bi-annual all-day education conference that brings together all those who invest in people with Down syndrome as they attend breakout sessions facilitated by local, regional, and national experts. Topics cover the lifespan and parents, family members, educators, therapists, administrators, and service providers are encouraged to join us for a life changing day of education. REGISTRATION COMING OCTOBER 1st! Core Stability Exercises You Can Do At Home Most children with Down Syndrome will have less core stability when they are born and will find it harder to build up their strength in their first year or two due to their low muscle tone. The tummy in particular can be very weak. Therefore, it is a really important area to work on as soon as possible. The benefits of strengthening the core at an early stage will affect many other areas of their lives including playing, communicating and exploring the world around them. Special Needs Planning Center When caring for a child with special needs, the options can be overwhelming. The dedicated team at The Special Needs Planning Center can help you create financial plans that will help ensure a level of quality care for your child during and after your lifetime. Have you “connected” with us yet? We encourage you to fill out our contact form TODAY! |