Educational programs for individuals with Down syndrome are designed to foster learning, independence, and personal development. These programs focus on building academic skills, promoting social interaction, and supporting lifelong learning.
Our programs rotate on a quarterly basis (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). Below are examples of education and transition programs we offer throughout the year.
Advocating for Yourself: Self-advocacy is the skill of speaking up for yourself, your rights, and your needs. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the fundamentals of effective self-advocacy, learning practical strategies and tools to advocate for themselves and others. Whether you're new to advocacy or have experience, this program is designed to meet you where you are. It's a great opportunity for beginners to build confidence, and for seasoned advocates to refresh and strengthen their skills. Parents are also encouraged to attend, as the skills covered can be valuable for supporting children and loved ones in advocacy efforts.
Book Clubs: Book clubs for individuals with Down syndrome promote literacy, socialization, and critical thinking. Participants read or listen to books together and discuss them in a group setting, enhancing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and communication skills. Book clubs provide a supportive environment where individuals can express their opinions, engage in social interaction, and build friendships while learning from one another. The shared reading experience also encourages a love of books and reading.
Community Education Partnerships: From time to time, we will partner with community education centers to provide learning opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. Partnerships include Cincinnati Parks, Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Public Library, and more.
Employment Soft Skills: This program works on non-technical skills that relate to how you work. They include interacting with colleagues, solving problems, and managing your work.
Internship: Our internship program provides a healthy learning environment for adults with Down syndrome as they learn transferrable skills for future employment in the community. All internships are paid, and interns will be a part of the DSAGC staff during their term.
Lifelong Learning Labs: Lifelong Learning Labs offer adults with Down syndrome opportunities to continue their education throughout after traditional schooling. These programs are designed to teach essential life skills, such as math, social interaction / relationships, writing, and reading. Lifelong Learning Labs encourage individuals to stay intellectually engaged and build the skills necessary for independence in adulthood.
Preparing for College: This program can help parents and students explore local academia opportunities, meet and learn from those who have attended local area programs, and discover ways to prepare NOW for college life. It’s never too early to start preparing!
Transition Fair: Our Transition Fair is an opportunity to learn about educational and employment support options for individuals transitioning out of school. Vendors include Great Oaks, Pathways, Transition Living Classroom, Warren Count Project Search, The Point, NORSE Project Search, Northern Kentucky University, The Ohio State University, Easterseals Redwood, LADD, BAWAC, New Perceptions, and more!
Tutoring in Your Town: One-on-one tutoring provides personalized academic support to individuals with Down syndrome. Tutors work closely with participants to address specific learning needs, such as reading comprehension, math skills, or language development. These programs use tailored teaching strategies to accommodate different learning styles and help individuals progress at their own pace, promoting confidence and academic success. We offer 3-5 tutoring locations to accommodate our 12-county service area.
Our tutor was amazing - my son loved her and he looked forward to going every week. We focused on reading comprehension and using his talker. I can tell you that it has made a significant improvement in his tolerance with the talker. He has even started using it on his own and unprompted!!! We are so excited to continue to build upon his new found “like” for his AAC device.
The Buddy Walk is the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati’s largest fundraising and awareness event of the year, attracting over 13,000 participants and raising half of our annual revenue. Over 380 teams, from across the 12 counties we serve, come together to celebrate our loved ones with Down syndrome. Learn more
