A white baby boy with Down syndrome with red hair looking at the camera and smiling.

Infant & Toddler Development Series

A virtual series with information and resources to answer your questions about the 1st year of development for children with Down syndrome. Each week, you will learn from professionals in speech & language, sensory, physical therapy, oral motor & feeding, fine motor development, physical therapy, behavior/social, and vision and hearing. This program is available to any member of VDSA!

For more information, contact Nikida Cromartie-James at ncromartiejames@virginiadsa.org.

A young Black man with Down syndrome wearing glasses and a jacket, standing in front of a display of roses, smiling and looking at the camera.

Transition Boot Camp

For parents of children with Down syndrome ages 13 to 21.

Transition Boot Camp is for parents of children with Down syndrome ages 13 to 21. A series of sessions are designed to give parents the tools they need to get the most out of the middle and high school secondary transition process required by IDEA. A corresponding Teen Class will be designed from the I’m Determined curriculum to practice self-determination skills all in a fun learning environment!

If you are interested, please contact Ame at abranam@virginiadsa.org.

Webinars/Conferences

Learn from professionals

We offer a variety of opportunities for parents to learn directly from professionals on different topics about raising and supporting a child and adult with Down syndrome. Educational speaker topics are offered in-person and through webinars throughout the year. Check the calendar for upcoming opportunities.

A white woman kneeling behind her white toddler daughter with Down syndrome, holding her by her hips, smiling.

Parent Chats

Caregiver connections are very important, and we offer several support groups for you to get connected (parents, grandparents, siblings) on a variety of topics such as inclusion and transition. Other groups bring together caregivers on similar journeys such as supporting individuals with a dual diagnosis, Black families (21 Shades) and Spanish-speaking families (Latinos de VDSA).

IEP Support

We know how important the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is to your child and their education.  We also know that the IEP process can be very overwhelming and full of unfamiliar rules and terms. We are here to help and offer IEP reviews for any family of a child with Down syndrome. Our team gives perspective unique to educating a child with Down syndrome. We will also, if needed, refer you to other resources such as the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), Medical Home Plus, educational advocates and consultants and special education lawyers.

A young white girl with Down syndrome with blonde hair in pigtails wearing glasses and a dress with ABC on the front smiling at the camera.

Join Us!

What we do is only possible with the help of people just like you.