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Whether you’re a new or expectant parent, a family of color, a sibling, father or grandparent of someone with Down syndrome, if you’re looking to connect with others in your shoes, the MDSC can help. We collaborate with more than 20 local support groups around the state.
The MDSC has begun bringing together more than two dozen leaders in the Down syndrome community from across the state for a Support Group Leader Retreat. The group shares experiences and strategizes how to advance our mutual goal of strengthening supports for people with the Down syndrome across the state.
Support Groups by Area
Arlington
Amigos DS
Geovanna Vicente
857-888-1043
Arlington Down Syndrome Parents
Anne Pelz
617-905-5200
Athol Area
North Quabbin Up Syndrome Social Group
Informal get-togethers for families of all ages with a loved one with Down syndrome including caregivers, grandparents and siblings
Karon Parker
978-871-5020
Attleboro/Franklin Area
Trisomy 21 Club - Families Supporting Families
Shannon Paul
508-695-4930
Tiffany Carpio
802-752-5025
Mom's night out each month with quarterly playgroups.
Facebook page
Berkshires Area
BCARC Down Syndrome Family Group
Chris Ferrari
413-499-4241
Group meets periodically and hosts a variety of social events throughout the year
Facebook page
Brockton Area
Brockton EI/BAMSI support group
Susan Stratoti
508-326-9872
Monthly Tuesday evening meetings; both informal get-togethers as well as outside speakers; children welcome at the informal meetings.
Cape Cod
The Meet-up!
Sarah Rock
203-554-3619
A group for folks on the Cape who have kids with Ds and other genetic and developmental quirks to get together, share information, have play dates and dinners, make plans and more!
Facebook page
Central Mass
Central MA Family Group
Jessica Young
774-239-5992
Meets every other month on a Saturday morning; families with school-age children or a prenatal diagnosis; all family members welcome.
Fitchburg Area
Down Syndrome Support Group
Kathy Black
978-602-8697
Meets monthly on the first Saturday of the month from 10 AM - noon.
Foxboro YMCA Playgroup
Hollie Mendillo
Samantha Devoid
401-487-3123
Informal play group for families with children 0-8; all family members welcome
Greater Boston
Morning Travelers Play/Support Group
Private secret Facebook group supporting families of younger children with Down syndrome. Please contact firstcall@mdsc.org for more information and/or to be added to the group.
Martha's Vineyard
Up Club!
Family connections and resources on MV and host a variety of events
Lisa Brown
774-563-0132
North Shore
Gettin' Down in the North Shore
Jenny Graves
978-360-2797
Caren D'Agnese
781-771-6272
Informal play group for families with younger children.
Facebook page
Somerville
Somerville Down Syndrome Family Engagement Group
Lianor da Cunha Hillerstrom
917-583-6226
Southeastern Mass.
21 FrienDS
Kim Legendre
508-989-2706
A nonprofit family and support group started by parents with the same interests in mind. Meets monthly through play dates, familiy activities, seminars and informational meetings.
South Shore Area
Braintree Support Group
Jeanne Zarrella
781-789-6035
Mom's night out monthly; currently families have children 4-22.
South Shore Parents and Siblings of Adult Children with Special Needs
Taffy Nothnagle
781-383-0895
Host periodic dinner meetings to offer support and sharing.
South Shore Play Group
Danny Jarboe
Quarterly playgroup at the Hanover YMCA for families of children 0-6 and their siblings.
Western Massachusetts
Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Mass.
Jennifer Johnson
Website
Provides a variety of events for families with children of all ages.
Play Group for Families with Younger Children
Anna O'Rourke
413-262-7008
The Down Syndrome Program Resource Group of Western MA invites families of younger children to come connect, share, learn and play. Meets every other month on a Saturday morning at Jericho in Holyoke.
Facebook page
Massachusetts-wide
Mass Inclusive Schools Initiative MISI
Melanie Perkins McLaughlin
617-699-1962
Shannon Gallagher
617-272-5810
MDSC New Family Socials
Sarah Cullen
781-221-0024
Meets every month on a Saturday morning in Burlington; families with children up to age 4; all family members welcome.
MDSC 4-7 Play Group
Sarah Cullen
781-221-0024
For families whose child with Down syndrome is age 4-7 and siblings; Quarterly playgroup at Jam Time in Maynard or Norwood.
MDSC 8-12 Group
Sarah Cullen
781-221-0024
For families whose child with Down syndrome is age 8-12; Quarterly events.
Support Groups by Topic
African American/Black Family Support Group (21 Shades)
(Statewide)
Melissa Elow
617-416-5240
Terri James Solomon
347-882-9694
Monthly calls and social events; Open to all family members. Second Thursday 8-9 PM.
Facebook page
Autism Spectrum Disorder/Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome-Autism Connection
Charlotte Gray: 978-394-8416
Jeanne Doherty: 978-761-3950
Online chat group 2nd Monday evening of every month to network and share resources, and occasional get-togethers.
Facebook page?
Boston Children’s Hospital Speaker Series
Down Syndrome Program
Angela Lombardo
857-218-4329
Website
Monthly, educational talks that may be attended or viewed on-line.
Breastfeeding
Julia's Way
www.juliasway.org
D.A.D.S Group (Statewide)
Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome
Jeff Roback
339-788-1460
Website
Facebook page
Variety of DADS meetings and family events.
Grandparents
Grandparents Support Group
Sue Laing
413-519-2777
Barbara Sherman
603-508-1715
Regional meetings for grandparents.
Special Health Care Needs
Parents of Children with DS and Other Special Health Care Needs
Jeanne Doherty
978-761-3950
Co-hosted with Boston Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program. Meets quarterly in Waltham with a variety of guest speakers; child care provided.
Mental Health
MDSC Mental Health Support Group, Resource Page
Colleen Endres
781-221-0024
For parents and caregivers of teens and adults with Down syndrome and mental health challenges. Every other month meetings at our office in Burlington facilitated by Mary-Frances Garber, licensed genetic counselor. Workshops with guest speaker held 2-3 times per year.
Mosaic Down Syndrome Support Group
Sonya Cabral
617-308-7441
Support and information for families whose child has Mosaic Down syndrome.
Facebook page
Portuguese-Speaking
Amigos DS
Geovanna Vicente
857-888-1043
Social events for Portuguese-speaking families in the Arlington area
Familia Up Down
Denise Ribeiro
508-615-7637
www.familiaupdown.org
Host a variety of events for Portuguese-speaking families in the greater Worcester area and across MA
Organizamos uma variedade de eventos para familias de lingua portuguesa na area da grande Worcester e em toda area de MA
Spanish-Speaking
Familias Latinas Unidas por el Sindrome de Down
Francisco Zamudio
Patria Espinal
617-953-6589
Meets montly on the first Saturday of the month; all family members welcome; currently mostly families who have a teen or an adult.
Facebook page
Spanish Support Group for Families Whose Child is 4 or Younger
Bonnie Fishman
617-887-3817
Co-hosted with the MGH Down Syndrome Program; meets quarterly on a Tuesday afternoon at the Chelsea MGH Center. Limited child care available.
Out of State Support Groups
Rhode Island
Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island
Website
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Down Syndrome Association
603-479-1589
Website
Maine
Maine Down Syndrome Network
866-571-2223
Website
Connecticut
Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut
888-486-8537
Website
Vermont
Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group
Dave Mentzer
Website
National Organizations
Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network
Website
Facebook Page
National Down Syndrome Congress
1-800-232-NDSC
Website
National Down Syndrome Society
1-800-221-4602
Website
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