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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.

Duration: 12 ms, Number of Results: 56

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Urinary Retention

Author: Agni Vlahos, MD and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine

Key Points Urinary retention is the build-up of excessive urine in the bladder. It appears to be more common in people with Down syndrome. A common reason for urinary retention in people with Down syn

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

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

Key Points Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys. People with Down syndrome have risk factors for getting a UTI due to issues related to not e

Urinary Incontinence

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

Key Points Urinary incontinence or urinary "accidents" are more common in people with Down syndrome. There are many potential causes.  The inability to empty the bladder com

Connective Tissue and Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Connective tissue is the tissue that helps hold our bodies together. Connective tissue is different in people with Down syndrome compared to others.  People with Down syndrome have

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

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

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

Overpronation

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

What is overpronation of the ankle? In short, when we walk, typically the outside of our heel strikes the ground first and then the rest of our foot rolls to come in contact with the ground. Then our

Diagnostic Overshadowing: "All Is Not Down Syndrome"

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

Many families have reported that, when they have told a health care provider about a symptom their loved one with Down syndrome is experiencing, the provider has, in effect, said, “It is jus

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

Development of Atlantoaxial Instability in an Older Person with Down Syndrome

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

The parent of a 47-year-old man with Down syndrome submitted the following question: Can a person with Down syndrome develop atlantoaxial instability in adulthood? My son is 47. When he was younger, X

Trampolines

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

We periodically get asked about the use of trampolines by people with Down syndrome. Trampolines cause many injuries to both children and adults. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Bunions in People with Down Syndrome

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

A bunion (also known as hallux valgus) is a bony projection or bump that forms at the base of the big toe. If the joint at the base of the big toe is subjected to great pressure while walking, the big

Considering Dignity of Risk in the Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Clinical Perspective

Author: Chicoine & Kirschner - Perspectives in Biology and Medicine (2022)

Abstract The dignity of risk implies respect for individuals' right to make their own decisions, to participate in a broad range of desired activities, even if those activities have risk, and

Testicular Cancer

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

Key Points Testicular cancer is more common in men with Down syndrome compared to men without Down syndrome. Health care providers can check for testicular cancer during an annual physical exam. Testi

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