The Down Syndrome Program is proud to offer many opportunities outside of the clinic to help support development and learning, health and wellness, and community building. These programs inspire families to think positively and brightly about the future of their children.
Development and learning
Literacy campaign
To promote reading, we are providing all children who come to Boston Children’s with a new book and literacy tip sheet.
‘Mae’s Market’
We have a virtual store, “Mae’s Market,” that allows us to provide families with items and materials to promote development, such as honey bear cups, Signing Times DVDs, and educational resources such as flashcards and early learning materials at no cost. In addition to distributing Signing Times DVDs to families, we offer an annual Introduction to Sign Language workshop.
Allen C. Crocker Speaker Series
The Down Syndrome Program offers the Allen C. Crocker Speaker Series, a series of webinars on a range of topics related to Down syndrome. These talks are simultaneously webcast and recorded, and then are archived for future viewing. Please find archived talks below.
Health and wellness
DS-Fit
DS-Fit is an eight-week fitness program for teenagers with Down syndrome with small group fitness classes and a home fitness program.
Complex Needs Parent Support Group
The Complex Needs Parent Support Group is co-hosted by our program and the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. This group for parents of children with complex medical, neurodevelopmental, and mental health needs meets every other month virtually.
Yoga
Emily Davidson, MD, teaches a virtual inclusive yoga class for children with Down syndrome and their siblings and friends on Mondays at 5 p.m.
To learn more about any of the programs or activities above, please reach out to our program coordinator, Angela Lombardo, at angela.lombardo@childrens.harvard.edu.
Resources and guides
- Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program brochure
- Health Care Guidelines for Children with Down Syndrome (English and Spanish)
- Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program Resource Guide (English and Spanish)
- Behavior guide
- Down syndrome and autism resources
- Toilet training guide
- Early communication guide
- Sleep study social story
- Down syndrome and infantile spasms
- Guide for parents of newborns from the Down Syndrome Program
Watch: Allen C. Crocker Speaker Series
Helping Kids Make and Keep Friends
MassHealth: Part I
MassHealth: Part II
Skin Conditions and Down Syndrome: Part I
Skin Conditions and Down Syndrome: Part II
Moyamoya and Down Syndrome in 2020
Medical/Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition and Down Syndrome
Vision Concerns and Down Syndrome
Thyroid Concerns and Down Syndrome
Autism and Down Syndrome
Health Care Guidelines and Down Syndrome
Infantile Spasms and Down Syndrome
Early Communication Development and Down Syndrome
Complex Medical Needs in Kids with Down Syndrome
Physical Therapy and Down Syndrome
Behavior and Down Syndrome
Orthopedic Concerns and Down Syndrome
ADHD and Down Syndrome
Toilet training modules
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Transition resources
Visit the links below to view the respective videos.
- employment and finances
- educational considerations
- medical transitions
- timeline of transition to-dos
For more information or to visit the website for any of the resources that are discussed in above webinars, please find the information in the transition resources list.