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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.
Duration: 13 ms, Number of Results: 63
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 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 acrocyanosis? Acrocyanosis is the bluish discoloration of the extremities (usually the hands and/or feet) due to decreased oxygen being delivered to those areas. The small blood vessels in the
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
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. ECT can be frightening
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
Exercise is important for people with Down syndrome just as it is for all people. For all people, care must be taken to avoid overdoing it with exercise. Excessive sweating can be a sign to ease back,
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
What can cause unexplained weight loss? 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 consult
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.
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
These are the slides from a webinar called "The Groove in People with Down Syndrome" presented by Brian Chicoine, MD and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L.
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
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
The PDF linked below is a copy of the second edition of Dr. McGuire and Dr. Chicoine's book originally published by Woodbine House Publishing in 2021. After Woodbine closed in 2022, the publis
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
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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