Down syndrome Outreach (DsO) is a volunteer committee and a program of The Arc of Whatcom County.
The mission of Down syndrome Outreach is to advocate for the rights, promote the potential and abilities, and create a supportive and inclusive community for people with Down syndrome.
What’s Happening in the Down syndrome Community? We have lots of exciting things happening through Down syndrome Outreach! Join us for any or all of them!
Spring Fling is coming Sunday, May 7th from 1 – 4pm! This annual event will be at Fairhaven Park Pavilion. Enjoy a potluck lunch, time to connect with other families and enjoy a beautiful northwest Washington spring day! More details coming soon.
SAVE THE DATE! We are trying something new this year for Buddy Fest. Join us Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at the NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIRGROUNDS from Noon – 3pm for a celebration of our loved ones with Down syndrome! We will have lunch, an awareness walk, and loads of fun! activities for all ages.
Have questions about DsO? Email DsO@arcwhatcom.org or call (360) 715-0170, ext. 304.
Providers can make referrals to our programs using The Arc Referral Form.
Additional local, state and national resources:
- Statewide and Regional Support Networks
- National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): www.ndss.org or 800-221-4602
- National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): www.ndsccenter.org or 800-232-6372
- Down syndrome Community – Puget Sound Region: www.downsyndromecommunity.org
- Lower Mainland Down syndrome Society in Surrey, B.C.: www.lmdss.com
- Down syndrome Research Foundation in Burnaby, B.C.: www.dsrf.org
- Canadian Down Syndrome Society: www.cdss.ca
Health Care Information for Families of Children with Down Syndrome; American Academy of Pediatrics: www.healthychildren.org
- English:AAP guidelines
- Spanish:AAP directrices
A person with Down syndrome needs regular doctor visits and a few special tests. The medical issues for someone with Down syndrome change with age. For this reason, this document is divided into several age groups. Each age group includes a list of issues that may be important at that age.
Your doctor can check the full AAP guideline for more details (the web address is given below).
The information within each age group is sorted by the parts of the body that are affected (heart, ears, etc). Many tests only need to be done once. Some areas might need to be looked at again, or even many times, as the child grows to an adult. This document focuses on medical topics that affect physical health. Other issues can affect social and school success, which may not need doctors or other medical resources but are still important issues for those with Down syndrome. Respect for and attention to their abilities are often important missing pieces and may be enough to make a big difference in performance and behavior.
This information is based on the “Health Supervision for Children with Down Syndrome” clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, available here: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/2/393.full
Aging and Down Syndrome: A Health & Well-Being Guidebook
NDSS created this resource for families, professionals, direct caregivers or anyone concerned with the general welfare of an adult with Down syndrome.
This guidebook includes a general overview of aging with Down syndrome, common medical conditions, emotional and psychiatric well-being, planning for old age, and discusses the connection between Alzheimer’s Disease and Down syndrome.
