Welcome...

Welcome to Down Syndrome Association of Fredericksburg, VA. DSAFred is a newly established support group that includes parents, family members, friends and professionals working together to improve the quality of life of persons with Down Syndrome.  Our children are beautiful and are very important members of our families and community. We are proud of them and we share this pride with all who join with us.

Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down Syndrome and help them reach their full potential by providing family support, education, and social opportunities in Fredericksburg, VA and surrounding areas.

Down Syndrome is one of the most common birth defects occurring in about 1 in 800 births. Down Syndrome's origins are not fully known but it is currently believed that faulty cell division at the time of conception causes Down Syndrome in most cases by creating an extra chromosome in each of his or her cells. Persons with Down Syndrome typically have varying degrees of mental retardation (95% of these individuals function in the mild to moderate range). Many persons with Down syndrome have poor muscle tone, delayed motor skills and other problems such as heart defects and respiratory infections.

Given the benefit of loving homes, early intervention programs, special education, appropriate medical care and positive public attitudes Down Syndrome children are more like than unlike other children passing through the same stages of development, only more slowly.

Join Us

We meet the 4th Saturday of each month at the disAbility Resource Center, 409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg VA 22401 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.   For more information contact Jennifer Russo at (540)548-2883 or jennifer.russo@dsafred.org or Heather Trammell from the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia at (703) 621-7129 or heathert@dsanv.org.