Local Resources
Larkin’s Place at the Y - Stephen’s Family YMCA www.sf-ymca.net
Champaign County Birth to 6 Council of Families and Agencies www.ccbirthto6.org
Child and Family Connections #16 1-800-877-1152
C-U Special Recreation www.cuspecialrecreation.com
United Way www.uwayhelps.org
Crisis Nursery www.crisisnursery.net
Developmental Services Center www.dsc-illinois.org. Enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing services and supports which enable them to live, work, learn, and participate in their communities.
The Autism Program www.theautismprogram.org
Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department www.c-uphd.org
Chambanamoms www.chambanamoms.com Where CU-area moms will be able to find and tap outstanding local family and parenting resources, and will also come together online and off for community, commiseration and, most of all, friendship.
Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse www.eiclearinghouse.org
Digital Resources for Students with Autism https://teach.com/online-ed/psychology-degrees/online-masters-applied-behavior-analysis/aba-digital-autism-resources/
Illinois and National Resources
Clearinghouse on Early Education & Parenting ceep.crc.illinois.edu
Illinois Assistive Technology Program www.iltech.org
Special Olympics Illinois www.soill.org
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center www.fmptic.org
Best Buddies www.bestbuddies.org Dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Birth Injury Justice Center www.childbirthinjuries.com
Illinois State Board of Education www.isbe.net
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities www.nichcy.org
Project Choices www.projectchoices.org. “Children Have Opportunities in Inclusive Community Environments and Schools” vision is that all districts create an inclusive system that results in maximum opportunities and outcomes for every student.
The Arc www.thearc.org For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Voices 4 Kids www.voices4kids.org Champions the full development of every child in Illinois to assure the future well-being of everyone in the state. We work with families, communities, and policymakers across multiple issue areas to help children grow up healthy, happy, safe, loved, and well-educated.
Social Security and Disability Resource Center www.ssdrc.com Provides answers to questions about how to apply for disability, how to appeal if denied, how to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain mistakes that are commonly made. Simple Dollar (http://www.thesimpledollar.com/disability-benefits-guide/) also has a guide to SSI benefits.
National Down Syndrome Society www.ndss.org Benefits people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy.
National Association for Down Syndrome www.nads.org Based in Chicago offering information, support and public awareness.
National Down Syndrome Congress www.ndsccenter.org The mission of the NDSC is to provide information, advocacy and support concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation www.dsrtf.org Dedicated to finding a treatment to improve cognition including learning, memory and speech for individuals with Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome International www.ds-int.org A federation of international organizations and individuals committed to ensuring the quality of life and human rights for all people with Down syndrome.
Word Down Syndrome Day www.worlddownsyndromeday.org (March 21st)
Area DS Support Groups
Gigi’s Playhouse - Bradley/Bourbonnais www.gigisplayhouse.org/bradley-bourbonnais/
Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization www.cidso.org Serves Bloomington, Normal, and the greater McLean county area
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association www.hoidsa.org Serves the Morton and Peoria area
Health
Down Syndrome Health Issues www.ds-health.com Dr. Len Leshin’s website which contains a collection of articles and healthguides and other information for parents. Dr. Leshin is a noted pediatrician, as well as father to a boy with Down syndrome.
Brian Skotko MD, MPP www.brianskotko.com Dr. Skotko is a specialist in the Down Syndrome Program at Children's Hospital in Boston and brother to a young woman with Down syndrome. Blog and other great info.
The Checkup by Singlecare, Taking Medications
Special Education& Federal Law
Down Syndrome Education Online www.down-syndrome.org Offers a comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date range of information, resources and services for families, practitioners and researchers caring for, supporting and investigating Down syndrome.
Wrightslaw www.wrightslaw.com Provides advice and seminars on special education law and advocacy.
IEP4U www.iep4u.com Makes an IEP easy, streamlined and efficient with 4000 goals and objectives.
Other Resources and helpful information
DS Specific Books
Council for Exceptional Children www.cec.sped.org Vision and voice of special education.
The Adaptive Sports Foundation www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org Located in Windham NY, promotes physical activity for children and adults with disabilities by offering winter programs for recreational skiing, snowboarding, yoga, and personal fitness.
Parenting Special Needs www.parentingspecialneeds.org The online magazine serving the special needs community.
The Oralflo Pill Swallowing Cup Can http://www.Oralflo.com be used by anyone who experiences difficulty in swallowing pills, including children, adults and seniors.
Amtryke (Bikes for Children with Special Needs) www.ambucs.org/amtryke
iCan Shine (f/n/a Lose the Training Wheels) www.icanshine.org
Tattoos With a Purpose www.tattooswithapurpose.com Temporary tattoos that say “If I am lost, please help me be found” with a semi-permanent marker to write your name and phone number inside tattoo.
Specs 4 Us www.specs4us.com Eyewear specially designed to fit children with Down syndrome.
Create-a-Reader www.create-a-reader.com A literacy program that takes a student from beginning reading to a third grade reading level.
Starfall www.Starfall.com A learn-to-read website primarily designed for first grade, but also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade.
Teaching Tools ChallengingBehavior.fmhi.usf.edu/tools.html Intended to assist teachers in problem-solving a plan to support young children who are having challenging behavior.
CVC Flashcards www.softschools.com/language_arts/phonics/games/cvc_flashcards.jsp Online reading practice for the kids.
The Speech Bin www.SpeechBin.com Your single best source for books, computer software and tests, and materials for persons of all ages who have special needs in: Speech, Language, Hearing and Listening, Stuttering, Voice, Autism, Sensory-Motor, Skills, Cleft Palate, Aphasia, Dementia, Swallowing
Love and Learning www.LoveandLearning.com/home.shtml Our technique and materials (DVDs, audio tapes, books and computer programs) help Infants and Toddlers with Language and Reading development.
HandSpeak www.HandSpeak.com A subscription service to learn sign language on-line.
Signing Time www.SigningTime.com/products Two Little Hands productions offers a wide variety of American Sign Language (ASL) fun and educational products for baby, toddlers, children and kids of all ages.
TouchMath www.TouchMath.com The leading multisensory teaching approach that bridges manipulation and memorization. Educators often think of it as mental manipulatives. Students interact with numbers on paper by seeing, saying, hearing and touching numbers as they arrive at the right answers without guessing. They learn math facts by using auditory reinforcement, flashcards and timed tests. Though they sell materials, there is no need to purchase anything. There is a link to download worksheets. Just ignore the grade level set up and use those that meet your child's ability level.
Star Net Family Fellowships www.TheCenterWeb.org/starnet/fund-fellow.html Family Fellowships are used to reimburse parents for the expense of attending workshops, seminars or conferences. Parents can be reimbursed up to $200.00 per year. Preference is given to in-state events.
Down syndrome & Sleep Guide: Because disorders like sleep apnea are much more common in children with down syndrome, Mattress Advisor created a Down syndrome & sleep guide after speaking with a few experts in the field. You can read about the common challenges and the expert advice.