Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

Contingency Maps

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

Contingency maps can help an individual visualize their behavioral choices and the outcomes/consequences of their behaviors. They can help make the problem-solving process more concrete. The individua

Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs)

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

The handouts linked below were developed to teach individuals with Down syndrome how to think more positively. If an individual has an automatic negative thought (or ANT), they can squish it or brush

My Stress Triggers Visual

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

There are many things that might make us feel stressed. My Stress Triggers gives examples of things that might make us feel stressed. What causes you to feel st

How to Cope with Stress

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

Coping with stress is an important and necessary part of life. There are some strategies that can help us manage our reactions to different life stressors. The steps below are strategies that I use wi

Behavior Changes in Individuals with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (2/23/2023)

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

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD, Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, and Abby Rowley, LCSW, on February 23, 2023. In this webinar, the presenters define, iden

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD, and Dennis McGuire, PhD, LCSW - Adult Down Syndrome Center

*This article was adapted from Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges, 2nd Edition . What is attention-deficit/hyperactivi

Obsessional Slowness

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

What is obsessional slowness? Obsessional slowness is an apparent form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that appears to be more common in people with Down syndrome. At this point, much more needs to b

Mental Health at the Holidays for People with Down Syndrome and Their Families Webinar (11/30/2022)

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

Abby Rowley, LCSW, presented a webinar called "Mental Health at the Holidays for People with Down Syndrome and Their Families" on November 30, 2022. The webinar was hosted by&nbs

Supporting Healthy Sexuality for Individuals with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (11/16/2022)

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

This is a recording of a webinar presented by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L of the Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge, IL. We know that having healthy relationships benefits the physical, mental, and

Planet Puberty

Author: Family Planning NSW - Digital Resource (Australia)

Planet Puberty is a resource designed to guide parents of individuals with intellectual disabilities through their child's puberty journey. Topics include the body, feeling good, relationships

Plan For Managing My Emotions

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center - Visual Handout

When we talk about emotions during our social skills groups for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, we explain that it is ok to feel any emotion; however, it is not ok to have negative

Things I Can Do to Help Me Calm Down

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center

This visual handout shares activities you can do to help yourself calm down.

"I" Statements

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

"I" statements are a way to share how we feel in a clear, calm, and respectful way. The handouts pictured below explain the components of "I" statements. There is a

Electroconvulsive Therapy, Catatonia, and Regression in People with Down Syndrome

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

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that involves sedating an individual with anesthesia and then inducing a seizure with a short electrical stimulation of the brain (more information can b

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition in which an individual develops psychological symptoms in response to an extremely distressing experience. The symptoms can vary and

Supporting Healthy Sexuality for Your Loved One with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (6/15/2022)

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - North Carolina Down Syndrome Virtual Speaker Series

On June 15, 2022, the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance hosted a webinar called "Supporting Healthy Sexuality for Your Loved One with Down Syndrome" presented by Katie Frank, PhD

Impact of Physical Health Conditions on Mental Health

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

Every thorough mental health assessment should include an assessment of physical health to ensure that physical health problems are not affecting mental well-being in any way. This is true whether or