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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.
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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
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
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
We were sent a question about unexplained weight loss. We are sharing some information here for general knowledge and/or information that can be used in consultation with your provider. While overweig
While many solid tumor cancers are less common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome, testicular cancer is one type of solid tumor cancer that is&am
The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD on November 10, 2021. Dr. Chicoine is the co-founder and medical director at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. The topic of th
Recommendations for breast cancer screening have varied over time and continue to vary . Organizations have different recommendations for when women should start being screened for breast c
We were sent a question about selective mutism and loss of speech. Selective mutism is defined as an anxiety condition in which a person with normal verbal skills is unable to speak in particular sett
The video below is a recording of a webinar called "Promoting Mental Health in Adolescents & Adults with Down Syndrome" presented by Brian Chicoine, MD on September 28, 2021.
We received the following question: Have you ever seen cases in which a person with Down syndrome keeps writing in a journal all day? My loved one keeps on writing names of his favorite supe
Nearly all of us have experienced anxiety during our lives. We may feel anxious about a school exam, a new job, a dentist appointment, a disagreement with a friend, or other similar situations. This i
The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L on August 25, 2021. Dr. Chicoine is the medical director at the Adult Down Syndrome Center and D
We received the following question: My teenage daughter self-talks. Recently, it has taken over. It’s like there is a continuous narrative involving movie and music stars, family,
Hair loss can occur for many reasons. Some of these may include: Age is a common cause not only for men but for women, too. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition (condition in which the body&a
On July 28, 2021, the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware hosted a webinar called, "Helping Children and Adults with Down Syndrome to Cope with Grief." The presenter was Rose Reif,
Depression is a mental health condition that is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and/or a decreased interest in things that an individual previously enjoyed. Depression is more common i
We discuss "I" statements in our social skills groups for individuals with Down syndrome. "I" statements are a way to share how we feel in a clear, calm, and respec
How can I find a therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health provider with experience working with individuals with Down syndrome? Here are a few suggestions. Contact a Down syndrome cli
Publisher's Book Description Awards for the First Edition: 2007 Independent Publisher Award: Bronze Medalist in Psychology/Mental Health Category 2006 Best Book Awards, Psychology/Me
We received a request for information on dysgerminomas in women with Down syndrome. Dysgerminomas are germ cell tumors that typically occur in the ovary. Testicular cancer is the comparable cancer in
We received the following question: I have a son with Down syndrome. He had testicular cancer in his late 20s. Since then, he seems to have developed an eating disorder. He always feels he i
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.