DOWN SYNDROME ASSN OF CENTRAL TEXAS

DSACT'S PARENTS EMPOWERING ARTICULATION IN KIDS (PEAK) SPEECH THERAPY PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE ONLY SPEECH THERAPY PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES DEVELOPED BY LICENSED SPEECH THERAPISTS TO ADDRESS THE UINIQUE AND CHALLENGING CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME WHO ARE VERBAL AND HAVE GOOD ARTICULATION CAN EXPECT GREATER PROSPECTS FOR A SELF-DIRECTED AND INDEPENDENT LIFE. THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH NON-FAMILIAL PERSONS, PARTICIPATE IN A JOB INTERVIEW, AND SPEAK WITH COLLEAGUES AND SUPERVISORS ARE INVALUABLE ASPECTS OF SOCIAL INTERATION. DSACT'S 18-MONTH PEAK PROGRAM OFFERS INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME FROM AGES FOUR TO TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SPEECH THERAPY. SESSIONS ARE HELD UP TO TWO TIMES PER MONTH, WITH PERIODIC EVALUATIONS TO ASSESS PROGRESS, DETERMINE AREAS OF CONTINUING NEED, AND PROVIDE GUDIANCE FOR FUTURE GOALS. IN-PERSON SESSIONS ARE FOLLOWED UP WITH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS AND INDIVIDUAL TELE-PRACTICE SESSIONS WITH SPEECH THERAPISTS. THE PROGRAM FOLLOWS A TRAIN-THE-FAMILY MODEL TO EQUIP FAMILIES WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO ENSURE PARTICE AND PROGRESS CONTINUE AT HOME AND BEYOND THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAM. DSACT MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM PAY LESS THAN 20% OF THE MARKET VALUE OF THE PROGRAM, WITH DSACT COVERING BALANCE.

DSACT'S SOCIAL PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE AND ENABLE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME TO CONNECT, LEARN, AND PLAY. FROM THE TIME OF DIAGNOSIS TO THE DAY A FAMILY LOSES A LOVED ONE WITH DOWN SYNDROME, DSACT FOSTERS SOCIAL NETWORKING THROUGH IN VIVO AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES.DSACT'S NEW PARENT PROGRAM MATCHES PARENTS WHO RECEIVE A DIAGNOSIS OF DOWN SYNDROME WITH A TRAINED PARENT LIAISON WHO HAS A YOUNG CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME. THESE PARENTS OFFER VALUABLE PRACTICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE TIME OF DIAGNOSIS, WHETHER PRENATAL OR POSTNATAL, ALONG WITH A WELCOME PACKAGE FULL OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES AND FUN BABY ITEMS TO CELEBRATE AND WELCOME THE NEW FAMILY MEMBER. ADDITIONALLY, A NEW PARENT SUPPORT GROUP LED BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR HAS BEEN ADDED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR JOURNEY.IN ADDITION TO MEMBER-WIDE EVENTS, INCLUDING ANNUAL GATHERINGS LIKE THE DSACT BUDDY WALK AND WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY (3/21), DSACT HAS AGE-SPECIFIC GROUPS FOR BABIES, TODDLERS, YOUTH, TEENS, AND ADULTS. THESE GROUPS MEET ONCE PER MONTH IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AN AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION, NEW FRIENDSHIPS, AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO GIVE AND GET SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED.FOR ADULT MEMBERS, DSACT HAS ALSO INTRODUCED A SERVICE AND SOCIAL CLUB, WHICH PROVIDES LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND ENCOURAGES GIVING BACK TO THE BROADER AUSTIN COMMUNITY THROUGH MEANINGFUL SERVICE PROJECTS SUCH AS WRAPPING PRESENTS, VOLUNTEERING AT A FOOD BANK, AND TRAIL CLEANUPS.DSACT'S SOCIAL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO DSACT MEMBER FAMILIES. ONLINE FACEBOOK GROUPS ALLOW FAMILIES A SAFE SPACE TO CONNECT AND SHARE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT.