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

Duration: 7 ms, Number of Results: 25

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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

Connective Tissue and Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Connective tissue is the tissue that helps hold our bodies together. Connective tissue is different in people with Down syndrome compared to others.  People with Down syndrome have

Proprioceptive Input

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

Many individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience difficulty with their proprioceptive system. The proprioceptive sensors in our body are responsible for providing feedback so we know where our body

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

Overpronation

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

What is overpronation of the ankle? In short, when we walk, typically the outside of our heel strikes the ground first and then the rest of our foot rolls to come in contact with the ground. Then our

Development of Atlantoaxial Instability in an Older Person with Down Syndrome

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

The parent of a 47-year-old man with Down syndrome submitted the following question: Can a person with Down syndrome develop atlantoaxial instability in adulthood? My son is 47. When he was younger, X

Trampolines

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

We periodically get asked about the use of trampolines by people with Down syndrome. Trampolines cause many injuries to both children and adults. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Haircut

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

While many find a trip to the salon or barbershop relaxing and look forward to their new look, getting a haircut can be an uncomfortable and even frightening experience for those with sensory

Therapeutic Use of Games

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

While games are widely considered to be a meaningful and enjoyable activity, their therapeutic benefits can be easily overlooked. Games provide opportunities to work on a wide variety of skills we use

Bunions in People with Down Syndrome

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

A bunion (also known as hallux valgus) is a bony projection or bump that forms at the base of the big toe. If the joint at the base of the big toe is subjected to great pressure while walking, the big

Fun Activities to Improve Fine Motor Skills

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

We use fine motor skills to complete any task that requires using the small muscles in our hands or wrists. This includes a wide variety of daily activities completed at home, work, and school: using

Daily Tasks to Improve Fine Motor Skills

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

We use fine motor skills for many tasks throughout the day - any task involving use of the small muscles in our hands and wrists. A few examples of activities we do every day that require fine motor s

Sensory Processing Strategies to Promote Mental Wellness in People with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (5/11/2022)

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 of the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Dr. Frank is an occupational therapist at the Center. In the webinar, she describes

Weighted Blankets

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

The use of weighted blankets is a sensory technique that provides deep pressure stimulation. Evidence suggests that deep pressure stimulation produces a calming effect to the autonomic nervous system

Sensory Processing and Down Syndrome

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

The Sensory System No one has a perfectly functioning sensory system. We all have sensory preferences and even sensory needs, each unique to how our central nervous system perceives and processes sens

What is Occupational Therapy?

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

Occupational therapy is a health profession concerned with how people function and perform meaningful activities in their respective roles. "Occupation" is any activity in which one

Flat Feet in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Lorri Riley, DPM - j1 insoles

The website at the link below discusses flat feet and Down syndrome. The website also contains information about j1 insoles, a line of medical grade insoles for adults and children that are less expen

Lower Body Joint Compression

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L

This article describes a form of proprioceptive input called lower body joint compression which may be helpful for individuals with sensory challenges.

Affordable Sensory Equipment

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L

In this handout, our occupational therapist provides recommendations for affordable sensory equipment .

Upper Body Joint Compression

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L

This article describes a form of proprioceptive input called upper body joint compression which may be helpful for individuals with sensory challenges.

Ligamentous Laxity

Author: Peter Waller, DO - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Ligaments are bands of fibrous connective tissue in our body that connect one bone to another bone and provide support to our joints. In people with Down syndrome, these ligaments tend to be loose lea

Atlantoaxial Instability Screening

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

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is subluxation or slippage of the first neck vertebrae in relation to the second. It is more common in people with Down syndrome (DS) and there are unique screening cons

Influenza

Author: Shelly Verma, DO - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Influenza, or the flu, is caused by the influenza virus. Flu season starts in the fall and peaks between December to March. However, it can last as late as May. There are many different strains of the

Upper Respiratory Infection - The Common Cold

Author: Jenna Okerblom, DO - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

What is it? Most commonly caused by respiratory viruses. Signs and symptoms of the common cold include fever, cough, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, headache, and aches and pains all over. Usuall

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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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