Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

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

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

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

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

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

The Groove in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points The groove is a preference for sameness, repetition, or routine. Many (but not all) people with Down syndrome have grooves. There are advantages and disadvantages to having grooves. Flexibi

Misunderstandings Caused by Different Perceptions

Author: Abby Rowley, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Sometimes, we are asked questions about individuals with Down syndrome who are said to be “lying” or “telling lies.” People with Down syndrome (just like people

Fear of Heights

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD and Abby Rowley, LCSW - Adult Down Syndrome Center

We have seen people with Down syndrome with a variety of phobias. Concern about heights is one we see more commonly. For this fear in particular, we often ask if it is indeed a phobia or if it is caus

Alternatives to Guardianship

Author: Ann Garcia, Patient Advocate - Resource List

Families trying to decide what level of support would work best for their adult family member with Down syndrome may want to look at options besides guardianship . Individuals with Down syndrome and t

Guardianship

Author: Ann Garcia, Patient Advocate - Resource List

Whether you decide to obtain guardianship for your child is an individual family decision that should be considered carefully. If your child is 18 years old and is unable to make decisions about finan

Onychomycosis - Fungal Infection of the Nails

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

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of fingernails or toenails. This infection is more common in people with Down syndrome (DS). Toenails are more commonly infected than fingernails. Video W

Employment Resources

Author: Ann Garcia and Jennifer Smid - Patient Advocates, Adult Down Syndrome Center

This list of resources was compiled by the patient advocates at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Some of these resources are specific to the greater Chicagoland area and/or Illinois. If you are looking

College and Vocational Training Resources

Author: Ann Garcia - Patient Advocate, Adult Down Syndrome Center

This list of resources was compiled by Ann Garcia, patient advocate at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Most of these resources are specific to the greater Chicagoland area and/or Illinois. If

Resources on Executive Functioning and Down Syndrome

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center - Resource List

Executive functioning (or executive function) describes skills and mental processes that enables us to set goals, make plans, and manage daily life. Working memory, flexible thinking, self-control, an

Common Characteristics of Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome

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

"If you have met one person with Down syndrome, you have met one person with Down syndrome" is a sentiment often shared in the Down syndrome community. We certainly know this idea ap

Common Dermatologic Disorders in Down Syndrome: Systematic Review

Author: Lam et al. - JMIR Dermatology (2022)

Abstract Background: Down syndrome (DS) has been associated with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune-related abnormalities. Several dermatologic conditions, including hidradenitis s

Sunscreen Use

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

When the summer months approach, many of us stock up on sunscreen and other products to protect our skin from the sun. While we tend to associate sun exposure with the warmer seasons, we need to prote

Comorbidity Screening in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Evidence-Based Recommendations from the US and Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundations

Author: Garg et al. (2022) - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Abstract Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with comorbidities that contribute to poor health, impaired life quality, and mortality risk. Objective: T