TEENS (AGES 13-19)

PROGRAMS

VIRTUAL TEEN HANGOUT

Join Katie and Adrian every Thursday at 6:30 pm for our Teen Hangout on Zoom! Families are welcome to participate. Contact Katie Myers for more information.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83919769645

POSITIVELY SPEAKING

In partnership with ArtStream, Positively Speaking teaches, supports, and empowers our teens and adults with Down syndrome.  Workshops focus on communication and social skills using innovative theater arts techniques. Workshop series are offered in the spring and fall. For a preview, check out this WJLA feature of a Positively Speaking workshop!

RESOURCES

We have attempted to create a comprehensive and inclusive list of resources to support caregivers in finding age specific programs and services. These resources may include but are not limited to educational programs, support groups, parenting guides, financial grants and assistance, community and recreational programs, and health and wellness services.

• MCPS Transition Checklist
• All About Me Booklet
• After All Program - after-school and summer program for pre-teens and adolescents.
• Respite Coordination for Children & Youth
• Supporting People with Disabilities Coping with Grief and Loss
• Special Olympics Maryland Montgomery County - provides a year-round training and competitive sports program for Montgomery County children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or closely related developmental disabilities.
• Best Buddies Maryland - serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities
• Behavior Guide to Down Syndrome
• Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act
• ABLE National Resource Center - educates, promotes and supports the positive impact ABLE can make on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities and their families.
• MCPS Transition Services - provides stakeholders with the necessary resources, tools, supports and professional development needed to ensure students a successful transition into further education, employment, and full participation in their community
• Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) - delivers a variety of social  services, employment supports, safety programs, and court-ordered behavioral health care.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources.
• The Parents' Place of Maryland - offers a variety of programs and services that continue to support families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.
• Grief Support for Children with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
• Parent Encouragement Program - helps parents and caregivers build strong and harmonious family relationships so that children grow up in a supportive environment fostering the critical values of respect, cooperation, responsibility, and competence.
• The Arc Montgomery County - supports over 600 children, youth, adults and families by providing child care, work skills training, employment opportunities, community living services, resources, advocacy and respite care.
• Aquatics at YMCA Silver Spring - provides opportunities in wellness, aquatics, youth sports, overnight camp, and more for over 250,000 people through our 16 branches and program centers.
• Special Education - provides information to families to include resources, answering questions, hosting virtual support sessions, and upcoming events.
• Child Find - provides free developmental screenings for children from three years of age until kindergarten.
• Sunflower Bakery - provides skilled job training and employment for adults 18+ with learning differences in pastry arts, production baking, barista service and front of house operations.
• Montgomery County Recreation Department - Therapeutic Recreation - provides accessible recreation, leisure skills and personal development activities for individuals with disabilities through adaptive programs and inclusion (mainstreaming).
• Jewish Community Center of Greater Balitmore - serves as the nexus for diverse communities that seek our recreational, wellness, educational and cultural programs.
• Children’s National Medical Center - Down syndrome Clinic - a dedicated Down syndrome clinic in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.