DSG is changing the life trajectory of people with Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Guild offers therapeutic services for people with Down syndrome across the lifespan, and their families, through our life changing and transformational Pathways program.
All services are designed and facilitated by DSG’s highly skilled therapy team, which includes two occupational therapists, a speech-language pathologist, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Pathways therapeutic services equip the individual, and his/her parents, caregivers, and extended family members with skill-building strategies and individualized supports that are targeted to daily life in the home and community. Our primary goal is to maximize their potential for a meaningful and productive adulthood that includes employment, daily life independence, community integration, and social inclusion.
We recognize that people with Down syndrome have an incredible capacity to learn essential life and vocational skills when provided access and opportunity, effective instructional strategies, visual supports, and individualized modifications, and the parents and caregivers in their environment are taught and empowered to facilitate their independence in their daily life.
Mission
To equip families of children and young adults with practical strategies and purposeful activities today, which prepare them for a meaningful, productive, and authentic adult life in the future, utilizing evidence-based, best practice provided by therapists with advanced knowledge in Down syndrome.
MEET YOUR PATHWAYS
SUPPORT TEAM
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Sarah Mai
OTR/L, MOT -
Marie Leathers
OTR/L, MOT, RBT -
Megan DeBoom
MS, BCBA, LBA -
Jessie Fox
M.A., CCC-SLP -
Angela Saus
M.A., CCC-SLP
Sarah Mai
OTR/L, MOT
Position: Vice President of Lifespan Services/Occupational Therapist
Education: Masters of Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas
Sarah has practiced as an occupational therapist in the pediatric and adult population, in school and community-based practice, with a concentration in developmental disabilities. She has expertise in program design, daily living skills, fine motor, functional visual skills, sensory processing, behavior, assistive technology, feeding, and home adaptations.
Marie Leathers
OTR/L, MOT, RBT
Position: Occupational Therapist
Education: Master of Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas
Marie recently graduated as an occupational therapist. Throughout her education, she completed clinical rotations in school and community-based settings, including one at DSG. Also, she completed an extensive training program called Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and related Disabilities (LEND). LEND provided her experiences in a variety of interdisciplinary clinics, knowledge about developmental disabilities, and the opportunity to conduct a research project on the topic of play. Throughout graduate school, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing in-home ABA services to children with autism. Marie is very excited to begin her career at DSG!
Megan DeBoom
MS, BCBA, LBA
Position: Director of Therapeutic Services/Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Education: Masters of Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders, University of Kansas
Megan has practiced as a BCBA in the pediatric population, in school and home-based practice, with a concentration in reducing maladaptive behavior. She has expertise in creating function-based positive behavior support plans, creating visual supports, teaching functional communication skills, and training caregivers.
Jessie Fox
M.A., CCC-SLP
Position: Speech-Language Pathologist
Education: Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, University of Kansas
Jessie is a speech-language pathologist excited to join the Pathways team! Her previous work experience includes working within home health, schools, and clinics. She has experience in the areas of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), apraxia of speech, receptive and expressive language, fluency (stuttering), and social communication. Additionally, she completed an extensive training program called Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND). LEND provided knowledge about developmental disabilities through interdisciplinary clinics, outreach events, research, and academic coursework.
Angela Saus
M.A., CCC-SLP
Position: Speech-Language Pathologist
Education: Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, Truman State University
Angela is a speech-language pathologist who provides telehealth services on the Pathways team. She is a 21-year veteran in the field, with 18 years in public-school practice and the last three years in telepractice (mostly within the schools). She is a life-long Missouri resident who grew up in the northeast corner of the state in Kirksville. She now resides with her husband and 11-year old son in the northern part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Angela is passionate about communication and literacy, early childhood development, and encouraging others to continue growing. When she is not wearing a speech-pathologist’s hat, she enjoys reading and music, Marvel Superheroes, Star Wars, and Disney. She has four furry babies, a tender-hearted pup named Tivan, and three spoiled-rotten kitties Kiko, Kahlua, and Pym.
Service Powered By
ADDRESS
5960 Dearborn Street, Suite 100 Mission, KS 66202PHONE
(913) 213-5484EMAIL
pathways@kcdsg.org
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