Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

Wearing My Hearing Aids Story

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

Wearing My Hearing Aids This visual story explains why it is important to wear our hearing aids and describes when to wear our hearing aids and how to take care of them.

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

Tremors in People with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Tremors are repetitive involuntary movements. Tremors can be mild and cause limited disruption or more severe and restricting. There are many causes for tremors. An evaluation by a health p

Getting Ear Wax Removed

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

This Getting Ear Wax Removed Visual explains what happens when we get our ears cleaned out. This visual can help individuals with Down syndrome know what to expect when g

Cerumen Impaction (Ear Wax Buildup)

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

Key Points Cerumen impaction is obstruction of the ear canal with ear wax. It is a problem that is more common in people with Down syndrome. There are treatments that can be done at home to prevent an

Hearing Loss in Adults with Down Syndrome

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

Overview of hearing loss Hearing involves several steps as the sound passes from the ear to the brain. The ear is divided into three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. Hearing impairment, which

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

Cholesteatomas

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

What are cholesteatomas? A cholesteatoma is a collection of skin cells that become more fibrous and build up in the middle ear (where the small bones are that are part of our hearing mechani

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures or Fake Seizures

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

We periodically get asked questions about “fake seizures.” They have also been called “pseudo-seizures” but are now more accurately called non-epileptic seizure

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

Down Syndrome for the Otolaryngologist: A Review

Author: Zalzal & Lawlor - JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (2023)

Abstract Importance: There are many features of Down syndrome that prompt referral to an otolaryngologist. As the lifetime prevalence and life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome in

Getting an EEG Visual

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

This Getting an EEG visual explains what happens when we have an electroencephalogram (EEG) done. It can help individuals with Down syndrome know what to expect when going for an EEG. Additi

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

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

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