Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

Urinary Retention

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

The bladder is an organ composed of layers of smooth muscle that sits in the pelvis. The function of the bladder is to collect urine that is made in the kidneys. When the bladder reaches its

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

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

Therapeutic Use of Games

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

While games are widely considered to be a meaningful and enjoyable activity, their therapeutic benefits can be easily overlooked. Games provide opportunities to work on a wide variety of skills we use

Sunscreen Use

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

When the summer months approach, many of us stock up on sunscreen and other products to protect our skin from the sun. While we tend to associate sun exposure with the warmer seasons, we need to prote

Evidence of Neuroinflammation and Immunotherapy Responsiveness in Individuals with Down Syndrome Regression Disorder

Author: Santoro et al. (2022) - Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract Background: Down syndrome regression disorder is a symptom cluster consisting of neuropsychiatric regression without cause. This study evaluated the incidence of neurodiagnostic abn

Adult Sibling Toolkit

Author: National Down Syndrome Congress - Resource

The Adult Sibling Toolkit from the National Down Syndrome Congress is a tool for adult siblings who are preparing to become more involved in the support and care of their loved ones with Down syndrome

Using Games in Social Skills Groups

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

We have found that incorporating games into our social skills groups can help convey important messages as well as help participants practice appropriate social skills in a non-threa

Fun Activities to Improve Fine Motor Skills

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

We use fine motor skills to complete any task that requires using the small muscles in our hands or wrists. This includes a wide variety of daily activities completed at home, work, and school: using

Daily Tasks to Improve Fine Motor Skills

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

We use fine motor skills for many tasks throughout the day - any task involving use of the small muscles in our hands and wrists. A few examples of activities we do every day that require fine motor s

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging in People with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (5/18/2022)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - DSAW Webinar

On May 18, 2022, the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin hosted a webinar called "Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging in People with Down Syndrome," presented

Hearing Loss in Adults with Down Syndrome

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

Hearing loss is more common in people with Down syndrome (DS) of all ages. Hearing loss is typically divided into three categories: Conductive . This involves the outer and middle

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. (2022) - 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

Vitamins and Supplements

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - "Ask Dr. Chicoine" LuMind IDSC Foundation

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

Association of Alzheimer Disease with Life Expectancy in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Iulita et al. - JAMA Network Open (2022)

Abstract Importance: People with Down syndrome have a high risk of developing Alzheimer disease dementia. However, penetrance and age at onset are considered variable, and the association of

Pneumococcal Vaccines

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD, Erin Dominiak, MD, and Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

April 2022: We updated this resource to include information about Prevnar 20 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV20). What is pneumococcal disease? Pneumococcal disease is caused by

Recommendations for Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Infection

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD, Erin Dominiak, MD, and Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

We have only seen or heard of a few cases of severe COVID-19 infection in our patients with Down syndrome who have received COVID-19 vaccines. Our experience has been consistent with the data

Evaluation of Upper Airway Stimulation for Adolescents with Down Syndrome and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Author: Yu et al. (2022) - JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Abstract Importance : Patients with Down syndrome have a high incidence of persistent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and limited treatment options. Upper airway hypoglossal stimulation has be

Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome

Author: Bull et al. (2022) - Pediatrics (American Academy of Pediatrics Publication)

In April 2022, a clinical report was published in Pediatrics , a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics. These pediatric guidelines are "designed to assist the p