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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.
Duration: 90 ms, Number of Results: 132
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
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
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
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
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
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
Abstract Youth with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to the general youth population. Due to physiological and cognitive differences observed in youth wit
*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
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
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
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
This visual handout shares activities you can do to help yourself calm down.
"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
Abstract Objective: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common form of chromosomal trisomy. Genetic factors in DS may increase the risk for diabetes. This study aimed to determine whether DS is a
We often encourage individuals with Down syndrome who come to our clinic to drink more water. This recommendation can be interpreted in different ways. One individual with Down syndrome who heard this
The parent of an individual with Down syndrome asked a question about medications to treat obesity in a person who has not been significantly successful with diet and exercise despite many efforts. I
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 (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
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
We received the following question: What vitamins and supplements would you recommend for adults 18 with Down syndrome? I have read that 2x the recommended daily dose of fish oil has been li
A parent of an individual with Down syndrome asked a question about stereotypies and self-stimulatory behavior. The parent shared that the individual made noises while watching videos on their iPad an
We received a question from a family member of an individual with Down syndrome who is anxious and fearful of bad weather, particularly thunderstorms. Thunder, lightning, strong winds, heavy rain, hai
Vitamin B12 deficiency is an issue that we often check for in individuals who receive medical care at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. We usually get enough vitamin B12 from the foods we eat. Vitamin B
A common and appropriate question is: Can a person be weaned off a psychotropic medication? A psychotropic medication is a medication prescribed to treat a psychological problem such as depression or
Please note: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for a medical, psychiatric, mental health, or behavioral evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment plan by a qualified professional. We recommend you review the educational material with your health providers regarding the specifics of your health care needs.
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