Parenting a child with special needs can be difficult, and it can easily feel like you’re doing everything on your own — and Down syndrome is no different. But it doesn’t have to be isolating; there are tons of resources available to help, right here in South Central PA.
Whether you’re looking for a community to be a part of, extracurriculars, or help with health care, there is something for you. And our guide has all the info you need to know! Read on to find out what support is available, from Lancaster to Reading and beyond.
READ: The Loneliness of Being a Down Syndrome Family
Jump to: BERKS COUNTY – CUMBERLAND COUNTY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – LANCASTER COUNTY – LEBANON COUNTY – YORK COUNTY – NATIONAL RESOURCES
Down Syndrome Resources in Berks County
- Berks County Special Olympics: For nearly 50 years, Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) has used the power of sports to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and unite everyone by fostering community and building a more acceptable and civil society. Through what has now blossomed into 55 local programs across the state, most of which are county or city-based, SOPA provides services that promote physical fitness and leadership skills development. Athlete Leadership Programs are offered to empower athletes to assume meaningful leadership roles, influence change within the Special Olympics movement, and create inclusive communities around the world. Through these programs, athletes take on roles as Global Messengers (trained as public speakers for Special Olympics), athlete representatives, coaches, board members and more.
Down Syndrome Resources in Cumberland County
- The Arc of Cumberland-Perry Counties: The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
- Central PA Down Syndrome Awareness Group: Central PA Down Syndrome Awareness Group is committed to the success of individuals with Down syndrome. By promoting acceptance and awareness in our community we can empower individuals with Down syndrome to meet and exceed their dreams.
- Nour Coffee: Nour is a coffee shop with a competitive integrated employment model. That means we train, employ, and empower neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals while delivering the highest quality coffee, tea, and food. We highlight all people’s value and celebrate our community’s diversity – where we are all BETTER TOGETHER! Neurodiverse people are more likely to be unemployed than people with any other disability. Unemployment for neurodivergent adults runs at least as high as 30-40% which is 3 times the rate for people with disability, and 8 times the rate for people without disabilities. We want to live in a world where people of all abilities have the opportunity for meaningful employment… so we’re going to create it!
Down Syndrome Resources in Dauphin County
- The Arc of Dauphin County: The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
- 3.21 For Life: 3.21 For Life was created by a group of individuals in the Hershey/Hummelstown area who have personal connections to individuals with Down syndrome. Our goal is to raise awareness and opportunities for these individuals, as well as funds to local nonprofits for camps, therapeutic programs and more.
- Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Capital Area Region: Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Capital Area Region provides a year-round training and competitive sports program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or closely related developmental disabilities. The program provides training and competitions in 24 sports and leadership programs throughout the region.
Down Syndrome Resources in Lancaster County
- Gigi’s Playhouse: GiGi’s Playhouse is the only worldwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers; changing lives through free, results-driven programs for individuals of all ages, their families & communities. In helping individuals with Down syndrome achieve their best of all, we also advance our larger vision of global acceptance for people of all abilities.
GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster is unique because we are able to provide a physical location for participants of all ages and their families to participate in educational and therapeutic-based programming. Programs are always free to families, as cost will not be a barrier to achievement or acceptance. Programs are typically about one hour and held on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. Programs are specific to certain age groups. They are usually based on a theme and facilitate learning for participants through fine and gross motor activities, play, books, games, art, music, sign language, sensory activities and more.
- The Arc Lancaster-Lebanon:The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
- Special Olympics Lancaster: Founded in 1983, Special Olympics of Lancaster County is a year-round sports training and competition program for individuals from ages 6 and up with intellectual disabilities. Lancaster County offers 15 different Olympic-type sports at no cost to the athletes or their families. Special Olympics sports have specially adapted rules sanctioned by the International Sports Federation of each to make them competitive for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Down Syndrome Resources in Lebanon County
- The Arc Lancaster-Lebanon:The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
- Lebanon County Special Olympics: Lebanon County Special Olympics’ mission is to provide year-round training and competition in Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely related developmental disabilities providing them physical fitness, joy, and a sense of community. We are 100% volunteer run and receives no assistance from federal, state, or local programs. We provide these services for free to athletes and their families.
Down Syndrome Resources in York County
- York Area Down Syndrome Association (YADSA): York Area Down Syndrome Association (YADSA) is a non-profit organization that provides support to families with children and adults with disabilities with a primary focus on individuals with Down syndrome.
- The Arc of York County: The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
National Down Syndrome Resources
- Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN): DSDN is the largest national organization supporting new and expectant parents with a Down syndrome diagnosis. The mission of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network is to connect, support, and provide accurate information to parents – and the medical professionals who serve them – from the time of diagnosis through age 3 while fostering the opportunity for lifelong connections. Our vision is that every Down syndrome diagnosis will be delivered in an unbiased, factual, and supportive way every time and that families can quickly find meaningful connections. Since 2014, DSDN has been supporting families and helping them to find connections and information. Our staff and volunteers ensure that we are able to keep our mission our number one priority. DSDN is the largest national organization supporting families with a new Down syndrome diagnosis.
- Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA): Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action is a membership association whose members are local, state, and regional Down syndrome associations. Long before there was DSAIA, staff and volunteers recognized how important it was to share experiences, exchange program materials, and find ways to learn from each other. We knew how valuable it was to be with other leaders who understand the unique aspects of the Down syndrome community. In 2007, leaders from around the country gathered for the first conference and a few years later, we became Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action.
- National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions. The organization’s work is achieved through three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy, and Community Engagement.
- National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to an improved world for individuals with Down syndrome. Founded in 1973, we are the leading national resource of support and information about Down syndrome, from the moment of diagnosis, whether prenatal or at birth, through adulthood. We provide support and resources from infancy to adulthood. The NDSC is an organization led by individuals with and without Down syndrome, working together for a better future for all.
- National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS): NADS is the oldest organization in the country serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It was founded in Chicago in 1961 by parents who chose to go against medical advice and raised their children with Down syndrome at home. Their pioneering efforts have made it easier for later generations of individuals with Down syndrome to be accepted by their families and communities, to develop their capabilities, and to work towards independence. The support we provide to families is at the core of our mission, but we do not have the staff or the resources to provide direct services outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. However, many of our other services are available to a wider community, including our conferences, our products and publications, our website, and the information about Down syndrome we provide. Our members can be found throughout the United States – and across the globe.
