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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.

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Duration: 27 ms, Number of Results: 49

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Toilet Hygiene

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

Toilet hygiene challenges Thorough toilet hygiene is difficult for many individuals with Down syndrome.  We see the following challenges: trouble with toilet training difficulty with wiping a

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Bathing and Showering Tips

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

Bathing and showering may be difficult for some individuals with Down syndrome for many reasons. No desire to bathe Too many steps to remember Not washing thoroughly Just stands in the shower (doesn&a

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Tips for Selecting Clothing and Getting Dressed

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

Challenges with dressing Getting dressed or dressing can be difficult for some individuals with Down syndrome, in part because bilateral coordination and dexterity skills can be challenging f

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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

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Alopecia Areata

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

Key Points Alopecia areata is a sudden loss of hair. It is an autoimmune condition in which the person's own immune system attacks the hair follicles.  Alopecia areata is patchy hair

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Possible Causes of Hair Loss

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

Key Points Hair loss can be caused by many conditions. Alopecia areata and alopecia totalis are autoimmune conditions that are more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down

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Tips for Washing and Rinsing Hair

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, 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

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Adapting Activities for Older Adults with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (3/13/2025)

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

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, Senior Occupational Therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center.  Description: As adults with Down syndrome a

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Life Expectancy, Aging, and the Down Syndrome Population

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

Key Points The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome is between 50 and 60 years of age.  The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome increased dramatically during the 20th century

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Supporting People with Down Syndrome in Managing their Personal Hygiene Webinar Recording (12/12/2024)

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, occupational therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center.  Description:  Successfully completing per

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Healthy Aging in Adults with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (10/24/2024)

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

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD, and Hannah Graham, MD, on October 24, 2024. Description:  Individuals with Down syndrome are living longer and hea

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination

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

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? RSV is a virus that causes a common respiratory infection. The infection is usually mild and causes cold-like symptoms. People usually recover in a week or t

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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. Adap

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Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Breast cancer is less common in women with Down syndrome compared to women without Down syndrome. Currently, the recommendations for breast cancer screening are the same for women with and

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Dry Skin in People with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Dry skin is more common in people with Down syndrome. Some individuals with Down syndrome find treatment challenging because of negative sensory response to creams and ointments on the skin

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Measles and Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Measles is a highly contagious infection. It can have very serious complications. There has been a recent increase in measles infections.  Little is known about measles infection s

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Increased Need for Services and Support

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

Key Points For people with and without Down syndrome, our needs may change as we age and/or develop health issues. The change in the needs may be temporary or permanent. There are a variety of ways to

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Prostate Cancer Screening in Men with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points on Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. There is uncertainty about the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening for men.&nb

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Dysgerminomas in Women with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points A dysgerminoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in a woman's ovary. There is limited research on dysgerminomas in women with Down syndrome. It is not clear if dysgerminomas a

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Advance Directives - Forms for Illinois Residents

Author: Illinois Department of Public Health - Link

An advance directive is a written statement you prepare that expresses how you want medical decisions made in the future should you not be able to make them yourself. Illinois law allows you

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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

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Aging and Down Syndrome: A Health & Well-Being Guidebook

Author: National Down Syndrome Society - Resource

The resource linked below is a guidebook from the National Down Syndrome Society. According to the Introduction, "Adults with Down syndrome, along with their families and caregivers, need acc

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Tips for Going Up and Down Stairs Safely

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

Going up and down stairs can be challenging for some people with Down syndrome. Aging, differences in depth perception, unsteady gait, and other issues may contribute to difficulty with navigating sta

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End-Of-Life and Down Syndrome Guidebook

Author: National Down Syndrome Society - Resource

The resource linked below is a guidebook from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). According to the Introduction, the aim of the guidebook is to "provide guidance for the crossroads and

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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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