Welcome
to the home of the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas!

The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas provides accurate and current information, resources and support for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community.

Vision: People with Down Syndrome - valued and included.

Current Offerings

Ongoing Programs And Services

Education

• Fall Conference-annual educational conference for educators and parents focusing on national best inclusion practices

• IEP Clinics-3 workshops designed to educate parents on a variety of topics that enhance parent participation so that they are active members in their child's Individual Education Plan

• Parents and Schools in Partnership- promotes collaborative relationships between the DSG and local school districts to affect positive outcomes for students with Down syndrome and their families.

Member Services

• Adult Issues-quarterly meetings with a variety of topics pertaining to situations that parents of post school age children experience. Example: employment, government funded services and health and welfare issues

• Adult Social Activities-bi-monthly social activities for individuals 18 and over including but not limited to: dances, bowling, ball games, dinner and bingo

• Art Therapy-planned activities that focus on skill building incorporating both individual and group projects through a variety of different art media

• Library-updated informational resources available in book or video in English and Spanish

• Mommy & Me-interactive class that includes music, art, free play, movement activities, informal parenting discussions as well as joining together with other toddlers for an outdoor playground experience
  New Class Forming: Toddlers age 1 to 3 years old
  Wednesdays, February 6, 2008 through May 7, 2008
  10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  Aaron Family Jewish Community Center
  7900 Northaven Road
  Dallas, TX 75230
  The class will be taught by Cynthia Casper, a certified Music Together instructor. Cynthia is a master teacher with a degree in Early Childhood Education and has over 20 years experience teaching preschool children. Mornings will include music, art, free play, movement activities, informal parenting discussions, as well as, joining together with other toddlers for an outdoor playground experience.
  Space limited. You must commit to entire semester. To register, call or email Becky Slakman at the DSG office 214-267-1374 or dsged@sbcglobal.net
  *Thanks to the generosity of the Janis Levine Music Women's & Children's Endowment Fund of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation and the Aaron Family JCC, there is no fee for Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas members.

• Newsletter-monthly newsletter sent to members consisting of educational, informative and inspirational articles as well as local and national news and events

• Picnic-annual Membership picnic for our members to come together in a social setting

• Snackin with Santa-social holiday event for our families

• Social Skills Class-class for teens and young adults reviewing appropriate manners and behaviors in a variety of social settings

• Teen Dances-dances hosted twice a year by Cistercian Preparatory School

Outreach

Changing Lives-a national program that provides research and outreach to healthcare professionals on the medical and developmental needs of babies with Down syndrome and the best care practices to address them

• Dad's Group-informal support group for dads addressing a wide variety of pertinent topics that may arise while raising a child with Down syndrome; this group also will have social outings with children

• Down Syndrome Clinic-located at Children's Medical Center Dallas, trained volunteers from the Down Syndrome Guild are present each Friday serving as a liaison and friendly face to the families being seen by the various healthcare professionals. Families are given information about programs and services that the DSG offers

• Educator of the Year-this award, voted on by parents and educators in the community, is presented annually to an individual or team working with people with Down syndrome in an inclusive, educational environment.

• Mom's Escape-monthly gatherings for mom's and other female family members for social conversation and relaxation

• New Parent Get Together-quarterly program where new parents meet each other and learn from various people involved in the Down Syndrome Guild about programs and services available to them

• New Parent Packets/Baskets- once the Down Syndrome Guild becomes aware of a new family, a packet of information and resources is mailed to them.They also receive the book Babies with Down syndrome. These packets are available in both English and Spanish. The Down Syndrome Guild is in the process of upgrading the information packets to baskets that in addition to providing resources will include baby items (diapers, wipes, toys, books, blankets). These baskets will be delivered by trained volunteers. The intent is to give the new parents a gift, not just the information

• Parent to Parent Referral-trained volunteers reach out to parents who contact the Down Syndrome Guild with a variety of questions/concerns. Staff matches the question with the volunteer who has the most knowledge of that particular subject and connects the parents

• Play Groups-regional small groups of parents and children meet throughout the year for the babies/toddlers to play while the parents are meeting informally. Program often serves as a means to obtaining information on schools, doctors, therapists etc.

• Travis Ahrens Award-this award was established by the Ahrens family many years ago to honor their son, Travis, who had Down syndrome and died from complications of a congenital heart defect. This award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant impact on the work of the Guild

• Website- www.downsyndromedallas.org provides internet information about the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. Areas of information available are upcoming events; local programs and resources; national resources; new parent information; a photo gallery; electronic versions of the Down Syndrome Guild newsletter; community resources and services available. Donors are able to make on-line contributions to the Down Syndrome Guild