Now It’s a Primary Source of Support and Education for Families With Children Diagnosed With Down Syndrome and Other Intellectual Developmental Disabilities
LAS VEGAS – The Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN) was founded in 1987 by a group of parents who noticed a void in services for their children and wanted to be a source of support for the local Down syndrome community.
Nearly 40 years later, DSOSN is now recognized as a leading advocate for the Nevada Down syndrome community. The organization’s mission remains the same, “to enlighten the public by promoting a positive understanding of Down syndrome throughout the community, as well as being a source of support, information and education for families and individuals with Down syndrome.” But today, DSOSN has expanded its membership and services to serve people with general intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) and to include people on the autism spectrum.
“Moving into a collaborative, instead of a silo-model service organization, has allowed us to broaden the scope and variety of services we provide to our members. It has also allowed our members and their families to build relationships and interact with other service providers in the disability communities throughout the state,” said DSOSN Chairman Peter Whittingham. “Working with persons diagnosed with Down syndrome can be a rewarding experience when we use effective strategies that cater to their specific learning needs. It’s very important to remember that each student with Down syndrome is an individual, and their abilities and challenges vary.”
DSOSN’s main goal is to create programs that help its members build the skills they need for happy, independent lives. To do this, all its programs focus on three key areas: education, jobs, and living on your own. These help members become active and integrated members of their communities.
According to the organization’s 2023 Program Initiative, some of its existing and developing “impactful programs” include computer classes, reading clinics, assistive technology/iPad loan program, public speaking class, music therapy, art painting, and performing arts.
The focus is on developing “the whole person,” so that all DSOSN members can maximize their full potential, based on their individual interests and abilities.
An example of developing the “whole person” can be found in the lesson plan/facilitated instructions in DSOSN’s popular self-advocacy public speaking class. This is a 10-week course designed to develop self-advocacy and public speaking skills. It involves verbal communication, essay writing, developing comprehension skills, character building blocks and moral values. The class culminates with a verbal presentation of an essay on DSOSN’s “Pillars of Inclusion,” presented in front of family and friends.
While family members talk about the impact of the programs with much appreciation (most notably, the computer lab and performing arts), Whittingham said one that many members talk about “with glee and excitement” is the art painting party. Every other Wednesday, DSOSN’s Helix Electric General Purpose Room is buzzing with energy, filled with 24 friends, all unleashing their creativity and inner artist.
The canvas awaits the participant’s personal touch, bringing to life a unique object or stunning scenery. And the best part? The masterpiece goes home with the student and is proudly displayed for their families and friends to see.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making it the most common chromosomal condition. About 5,100 babies with Down syndrome are born in the U.S. each year. Down syndrome occurs when a newborn has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. Typically, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which are inherited from each parent.
For more information on DSOSN, visit dsosn.org.
About Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada
Founded in 1987, Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN) is a 501 (c) (3) organization with a service population made up of individuals with unique abilities, most of whom are diagnosed with Down syndrome and other intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization offers an array of impactful programs and recreational activities, all at no cost to its members. Aimed at meeting the critical needs of this service population, DSOSN also fosters a constructive perception of persons diagnosed with Down syndrome (and other IDD) by focusing on maximizing their potential, through self-awareness, self-advocacy, inclusion, and job-readiness preparation for employment opportunities. Visit dsosn.org for more information.
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