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 Shannon Paul 508-695-4930 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. Facebook page
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; 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 activities.
MDSC 8-12 Group Sarah Cullen 781-221-0024 For families whose child with Down syndrome is age 8-12; Quarterly activities.
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 Virtual support group the last Tuesday of every month at 8pm to network and share resources. 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 and monthly Zoom group.
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.
Mental Health
MDSC Mental Health Support Group, Resource Page Colleen Endres 781-221-0024
Patti MacPhee
For parents and caregivers of teens and adults with Down syndrome and mental health challenges. Every other month meetings 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 617-953-6589 Francisco Zamudio Patria Espinal 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; monthly Zoom meeting.
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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