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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.
Duration: 32 ms, Number of Results: 51
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 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
We frequently see that the lab values of kidney function of people with Down syndrome (DS) we evaluate at our Center are mildly abnormal. The kidney function is slightly decreased compared to what is
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
The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L on March 28, 2021 as part of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress 37th Annual Virtual Confer
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
Title: Mental Wellness and Aging in Adults with Down Syndrome Date: October 27, 2020 Presenter: Brian Chicoine, MD Host Organization: Down Syndrome Association
The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L on April 28, 2020. Dr. Chicoine is the co-founder and medical director of the Adult Down Syndrom
We received a question about a person with Down syndrome who was refusing to eat solids. He was found to have dental disease. He needed several fillings and had a couple baby teeth removed. The dentis
What is self-injurious behavior? Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is behavior that an individual does that results in harm to their own body. These behaviors may include hitting oneself, striking a body
The video below was narrated and presented by Joseph Pereira, a 4th year medical student at Harvard Medical School, as part of his work with the MGH Down Syndrome Program . He shares information about
The resource found at the link below is an 11-page summary for individuals with Down syndrome and their families on promoting and maintaining good mental health. Dr. Chicoine and Dr. McGuire's
An interesting topic came up in our social skills group recently. The participants were teenagers and were all at an age when they were considering identity issues and thinking about the future. Some
Introduction Pica is one of the most common eating disorders among individuals with autistic spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Practically the illness is characterized by a pattern (mor
Have you ever wondered how to help someone with Down syndrome manage their anger or anxiety? There are a few techniques that I teach people that may help. The first technique is called &
“ Life would be simpler if we could counter the fear of change just by telling people, ‘Change is inevitable, get used to it.’” ( Conquering Fear: Living Boldly
What is trichotillomania? MedlinePlus describes trichotillomania as “hair loss from repeated urges to pull or twist the hair until it breaks off. People are unable to stop this beh
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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