We offer strengths-based therapeutic services designed to promote long-term success to people with Down syndrome of all ages in their unique home and community life.

With an emphasis on improving mental health and integrating total communication, our dynamic therapists artfully assist your loved one to develop skills that increase independence and employment-readiness, improve behavior and emotional regulation, and enhance quality of life and self-determination.

Our therapy team includes a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Clinical Social Worker, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapist, and Teacher of the Visually Impaired, who have integrated their expertise to deliver the highest level of care.

Therapies & Mental Health Services

MEET OUR TEAM

Megan DeBoom
MS, BCBA, LBA

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.

Katie Craddock
M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Education: Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences from the University of Central Missouri and Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Rockhurst University. Katie has over 12 years of experience as a SLP in the education, healthcare, and long-term care settings. Her areas of interest include augmentative and alternative means of communication (AAC), social/emotional communication, literacy, self-advocacy, and transition. “ I have a passion for working with individuals of all ages to build expressive, receptive, and social language skills—I believe that learning is a lifelong process,” says Katie.

Morgan Hodges
MOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Education: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas and Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center Morgan’s experience includes school-based and community-based therapeutic settings. She is passionate about supporting families and self-advocates across the lifespan to engage and participate in meaningful day-to-day activities. Her interests include building life skills, sensory processing and regulation, fine and gross motor development, and empowering independence and self-determination.

Lisa Lind, LSCSW, TVI, COMS

Licensed Clincial Social Worker, Vision and Family Support Specialist

Lisa Lind serves as a mental health therapist and vision specialist at DSI. She works with the entire lifespan from visits to the NICU and home visits with families to groups and individual sessions. Lisa holds graduate degrees in Early Childhood Special Education from The University of Kansas and a Masters in Social Work from The University of Maryland. She holds certifications in Vision and Orientation and Mobility from Missouri State University. Lisa brings a passion for working with families and encouraging their strengths and resilience.

Paige Smith, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University and Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Loyola University Maryland. Paige has 9 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist providing services across a variety of settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, home health, and long-term care. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan, from pediatrics through adulthood. Her areas of interest include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), executive functioning, and social/pragmatic communication. Paige is passionate about helping individuals find their voice and build the skills needed to communicate with confidence. Her therapy approach is client-led, functional, and strengths-based, focusing on real-life application and meaningful outcomes. Her passion for the Down syndrome community is deeply personal and continues to inspire her work with individuals and families.

OUR THERAPY SERVICES

Small group, weekly therapy sessions focus on skill attainment with peers in emotional regulation, social communication, and community engagement. Small groups target a segmented age range, utilize visual supports, reinforce positive behavior, and incorporate mindful movement.
One-on-one therapy sessions with a therapist to focus on functional, community-based, and home-based skills in the domains of community participation, communication, life transitions, social/emotional, sensory, and activities of daily living. Multi-disciplinary sessions are also available for more complex goals and behaviors.
One-on-one counseling sessions with a licensed clinical social worker specialized in Down syndrome to address grief, loss, sadness, transitions, trauma, coping, self-advocacy, and problem-solving. Caregiver participation is encouraged to increase caregiver resiliency and promote generalization of skills across environments.
Small group workshops are offered to introduce new age-appropriate skills. Skills are broken down with building blocks in 1-to 3-day sessions, and resources are provided to parents and caregivers. Workshops include but are not limited to: toilet training, literacy and AAC, puberty and sexuality, and community exploration.
Therapeutic caregiver consultations are available, allowing parents and caregivers to build their capacity and access the professional advice of our therapists to improve the skills of their loved one with Down syndrome in the home. Consultations may occur once or in a series, and are also available via teletherapy.
Our therapists also lead goal-driven support groups for parents and caregivers that include facilitated discussion, resource sharing, and purposeful activities for connection. Specific groups offered may include, but are not limited to, the following topics: Caregiver Resiliency and Self-Care, Down Syndrome and Autism, and Aging Caregivers.
Johnson County families can receive individual mental health services from a Johnson County Mental Health Therapist on-site at Down Syndrome Innovations. Thanks to this formalized service partnership, individuals can receive expert mental health services billed through the family’s insurance.
Our therapists offer presentations that include best practices and practical strategies for enhancing the skills of people with Down syndrome. Presentation topics include, but are not limited to: Down Syndrome Learning Profile, Emotional Regulation, Total Communication, Puberty and Sexuality, and much more. For scheduling and cost, contact Megan DeBoom.