Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

How to Put Your Hair into a Ponytail Video

Author: Kayla Millan, OTS and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Adult Down Syndrome Center

The video below demonstrates one way of putting your hair into a ponytail. See the Self-Care and Hygiene section of our library for additional resources. Royal

Create a Getting Dressed Visual

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

The images and template below can be used by individuals with Down syndrome and their families to create a visual showing the clothing that they should put on when getting dressed. Instructi

Tips for Cutting Fingernails and Toenails

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

Cutting your nails is a personal hygiene task that must be completed regularly to maintain healthy and strong nails. In the list below, I have shared general tips to make trimming your nails easier an

Personal Hygiene Chart

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

The Personal Hygiene Chart linked below can help us keep track of when we complete hygiene tasks such as taking a shower, brushing our teeth, and caring for our nails. Not all hygien

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

Brushing Teeth Visuals

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

The visuals under the headers remind us of the steps for brushing our teeth. Tap or click on the headers to find printable versions for electric and manual toothbrushes. There are also versio

Using the Toilet Visual

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

The visuals under the headers can help us remember the steps for using the toilet. Tap or click on the headers to find printable versions for girls/women and boys/men. There are also versions

Create a Showering or Bathing Routine Visual

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

The images and template below can be used by individuals with Down syndrome and their families to create a visual showing the steps of their showering or bathing routine. Instructions &n

Toilet Hygiene

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

Thorough toilet hygiene is difficult for many individuals with Down syndrome. However, there are several options to increase independence and success with toilet hygiene. Use pre-moistened wipes . Be

Tips for Managing Medications

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

Whether on one medication or many, people with and without Down Syndrome have difficulty taking medication as prescribed. The following tips can help simplify medication management and prevent missed

Story About Grooming/Hygiene for Boys

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L

This visual handout explains what we need to do to take care of our bodies.

Story About Grooming/Hygiene for Girls

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L

This visual handout explains what we need to do to take care of our bodies.

Menstrual Hygiene

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L and Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

One topic that comes up frequently at the Adult Down Syndrome Center is menstrual hygiene. Women with Down syndrome and their caregivers often ask us about strategies to make periods easier or even to

Adaptive Clothing

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

Dressing can be difficult for some individuals with Down syndrome, in part because bilateral coordination and dexterity skills can be challenging for many individuals with Down syndrome. I ha

Bathing and Showering Tips

Author: Natalie Rivera, OTS and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational therapy student and occupational therapist

Bathing and showering may be difficult for some individuals with Down syndrome for many reasons. Below are a variety of adaptive strategies and equipment to promote safety and independence with this s

Tips for Washing and Rinsing Hair in the Shower

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center

Some families have shared with us that washing and rinsing hair can be a challenging task for their loved ones with Down syndrome. We have compiled a list of suggestions from families for mak

Financial Wellness: A Guide for Individuals with Disabilities, their Families and Caregivers

Author: National Down Syndrome Society - In collaboration with Voya Cares

In collaboration with Voya Cares, the National Down Syndrome Society published a guidebook on financial wellness. Topics include the basics of financial wellness, government benefits, workplace benefi

Lotion Options

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center

Some people do not like the feeling of lotion or creams. This handout shows examples of lotions that can be used on wet skin and lotions that can be sprayed on skin.