Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

Pneumonia in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Lungs are vital organs in the movement of oxygen into the body and the removal of carbon dioxide. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia is more common in people with Down syndro

Prostate Cancer Screening in Men with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points on Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. There is uncertainty about the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening for men.&nb

Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Breast cancer is less common in women with Down syndrome compared to women without Down syndrome. Currently, the recommendations for breast cancer screening are the same for women with and

Dysgerminomas in Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points A dysgerminoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in a woman's ovary. There is limited research on dysgerminomas in women with Down syndrome. It is not clear if dysgerminomas a

The Groove in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points The groove is a preference for sameness, repetition, or routine. Many (but not all) people with Down syndrome have grooves. There are advantages and disadvantages to having grooves. Flexibi

Incidence and Clinical Outcomes of Pneumonia in Persons with Down Syndrome in the United States

Author: Janoff et al. - Vaccine (2023)

Abstract Background: Persons with Down syndrome (DS) experience an increased risk of pneumonia. We determined the incidence and outcomes of pneumonia and relationship to underlying comorbidi

Misunderstandings Caused by Different Perceptions

Author: Abby Rowley, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Sometimes, we are asked questions about individuals with Down syndrome who are said to be “lying” or “telling lies.” People with Down syndrome (just like people

Proprioceptive Input

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Many individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience difficulty with their proprioceptive system. The proprioceptive sensors in our body are responsible for providing feedback so we know where our body

Fear of Heights

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD and Abby Rowley, LCSW - Adult Down Syndrome Center

We have seen people with Down syndrome with a variety of phobias. Concern about heights is one we see more commonly. For this fear in particular, we often ask if it is indeed a phobia or if it is caus

Alternatives to Guardianship

Author: Ann Garcia, Patient Advocate - Resource List

Families trying to decide what level of support would work best for their adult family member with Down syndrome may want to look at options besides guardianship . Individuals with Down syndrome and t

Guardianship

Author: Ann Garcia, Patient Advocate - Resource List

Whether you decide to obtain guardianship for your child is an individual family decision that should be considered carefully. If your child is 18 years old and is unable to make decisions about finan

Keratoconus in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

We received a question about treatment of keratoconus in people with Down syndrome. What is keratoconus? Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea (the clear part in the front of t

Self-Talk Visual

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The visuals under the headers explain what self-talk is and why we use it. Tap or click on the headers to find printable versions for girls/women and boys/men. There are also versions for dif

Resources on Executive Functioning and Down Syndrome

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center - Resource List

Executive functioning (or executive function) describes skills and mental processes that enables us to set goals, make plans, and manage daily life. Working memory, flexible thinking, self-control, an

Common Characteristics of Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

"If you have met one person with Down syndrome, you have met one person with Down syndrome" is a sentiment often shared in the Down syndrome community. We certainly know this idea ap

Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Haircut

Author: Monica Prindiville, OTS and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapy Student and Occupational Therapist

While many find a trip to the salon or barbershop relaxing and look forward to their new look, getting a haircut can be an uncomfortable and even frightening experience for those with sensory

Sensory Processing Strategies to Promote Mental Wellness in People with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (5/11/2022)

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L of the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Dr. Frank is an occupational therapist at the Center. In the webinar, she describes

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Amyloid in Older Adults with Down Syndrome Across the Alzheimer's Continuum

Author: Lao et al. - Sleep Advances: A Journal of the Sleep Research Society (2022)

Abstract We determined the extent to which obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cerebrovascular disease and amyloid burden, and the relation of the two processes across clinical