Early Education & First Steps
Ages 0 to 5: Celebrating your new arrival, providing early developmental roadmaps, and connecting your family with a compassionate circle of local parent mentors.
Congratulations on Your Baby!
Whether you received a prenatal diagnosis during pregnancy or are welcoming a newborn with Down syndrome, please hear us first: Congratulations on your beautiful new baby. Your journey is filled with joy, milestones, deep connections, and an incredibly supportive community waiting to embrace you.
It is completely normal to feel a range of emotions right now—excitement, anxiety, or questions about the future. You do not have to navigate these early steps alone. From specialized clinical guides to warm parent networks across our 10 Western Kentucky counties, Green River Area Down Syndrome Association is here to walk alongside you every single day.
Our First Gift: The Newborn Welcome Basket
To celebrate your baby, Green River Area Down Syndrome Association distributes specialized welcome baskets to hospitals and families across Western Kentucky. Each basket is filled with developmental baby toys, comfortable clothing, and current, medically accurate resource folders to give you confidence and peace of mind.
Resources to Support Your Journey
Early Intervention (0-2 Years)
Connecting you with local physical, occupational, and speech therapists is critical in the first 24 months. We assist families in partnering with Kentucky First Steps, helping your child build foundational gross motor, language, and sensory feeding skills.
GRADSA Playgroups (Ages 0-5)
Socialization begins early. Green River Area Down Syndrome Association hosts specialized regional playgroups where infants and toddlers with Down syndrome play, discover, and build early milestones side-by-side in inclusive, sensory-friendly community spaces.
Preschool Readiness (Ages 3-5)
As your child turns three, they transition from home therapy services to school-based early education.
Parent-to-Parent Support Networks
Sometimes, the best guidance comes from a parent who has walked this exact path. Green River Area Down Syndrome Association matches new parents with experienced local mentor parents in their area. Whether you want to talk about medical questions, community resources, or just share a cup of coffee, our mentors are here to listen, support, and reassure.
Ready to Join Our Family?
Your child is eligible for free lifetime developmental resources, social event access, parent mentoring, and clinical tools starting today. Take a quick moment to register with our regional office.