It is now the leading source of support and education for families with children diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
LAS VEGAS – The Down Syndrome Society of Southern Nevada (DSOSN) was founded in 1987 by a group of parents who noticed a lack of services for their children and wanted to be a source of support for the local Down Syndrome community.
Nearly 40 years later, DSOSN is recognized as the leading advocate for the Down syndrome community in Nevada. The organization's mission remains the same: “To educate the public by promoting a positive understanding of Down syndrome throughout the community and to be a source of support, information, and education for families and individuals with Down syndrome.” But today, DSOSN has expanded its membership and services to include people with common intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and those on the autism spectrum.
“Moving from a siloed to a collaborative service organization has allowed us to expand the range and diversity of services we offer to our members and has enabled our members and their families to build relationships and interact with other service providers in the disability community across the state,” said DSOSN President Peter Whittingham. “Working with people diagnosed with Down syndrome can be a rewarding experience when we use effective strategies to meet their specific learning needs. It is very important to remember that each student with Down syndrome is an individual and will have different abilities and challenges.”
DSOSN's primary goal is to create programs that help members gain the skills they need to live happy, independent lives. To achieve this goal, all programs focus on three main areas: education, work, and living alone. These programs help members become active, engaged members of their communities.
According to the organization's 2023 program initiative, existing and developing “impactful programs” include computer classes, reading clinics, assistive technology/iPad loan programs, public speaking classes, music therapy, painting and performing arts.
The emphasis is on developing the “whole person,” ensuring that all DSOSN members reach their full potential based on their individual interests and capabilities.
An example of developing the “whole person” can be seen in the lesson plans/facilitated instruction for DSOSN's popular Self-Advocacy Public Speaking class. This is a 10-week course designed to develop self-advocacy and public speaking skills. It includes oral communication, essay writing, comprehension development, character building components, and moral values. The class culminates with an oral presentation of an essay on DSOSN's “Pillar of Inclusion” in front of family and friends.
While family members speak with great gratitude about the impact of programs (particularly the computer lab and performing arts), it's the art painting parties that Whittingham says many members talk about “with joy and excitement.” Every other Wednesday, DSOSN's Helix Electric General Purpose Room is filled with 24 friends, buzzing with creativity and energy as they unleash their inner artist.
The canvases reflect the personalities of each participant, resulting in unique objects and stunning landscapes, and the best part is, students get to take their masterpieces home to proudly display for family and friends.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 700 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal disorder. Approximately 5,100 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year. Down syndrome occurs when a newborn has an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. Normally, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which are inherited from each parent.
For more information about DSOSN, visit dsosn.org.
About Down Syndrome Association of Southern Nevada
Founded in 1987, Down Syndrome Society of Southern Nevada (DSOSN) is a 501(c)(3) organization serving a population of specially-abled individuals, primarily those diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). The organization offers a variety of effective programs and recreational activities at no cost to its members. DSOSN seeks to meet the critical needs of this population and fosters positive perceptions of individuals diagnosed with Down Syndrome (and other IDDs) with an emphasis on maximizing their potential through self-awareness, self-advocacy, inclusion, and job readiness for career opportunities. For more information, visit dsosn.org.
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