Increased Risk for People with Certain Medical Conditions
A person with any of the medical conditions listed below is more likely to get very sick with COVID-19. If you have one of these conditions, talk with your healthcare
Down Syndrome Podcast Series for Parents, Educators and Medical Professionals
The link below goes to a list of podcasts hosted by Kishore Vellody, MD, medical director of the Children’s Down Syndrome Center in Pittsburgh. Medical issues of children, teens, and
Fatigue
I recently had a couple inquiries about people with Down syndrome in their 50s or 60s who developed increased fatigue and falling asleep easily (these were new symptoms).Source: Brian Chicoine,
Finding a Mental Health Provider
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.Source: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down
The Groove, Self-Talk, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Question: Thank you so much for the webinar yesterday. It was very educational as my family is looking for some answers on my brother and his regression. I didn’t get the chance
COVID Update (Vaccination for Younger Children, Boosters for Older Children)
The Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania recently shared a podcast episode with an update on COVID-19. Host Dr. Kishore Vellody and guest Dr. Andrew Nowalk discussed the current COVID-19
Constipation in Down Syndrome
Constipation is a common problem in people with Down syndrome as well as the general population.Source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Use of Probiotics By People with Down Syndrome
What are probiotics? Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms (e.g., bacteria).Source: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel is an intestinal motility abnormality.Source: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center
Down Syndrome Medical Care Centers
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation has compiled a list of medical care centers that specialize in treating patients with Down syndrome in the United States. It is organized by state.Source:
Swallowing Issues
Swallowing problems are fairly common in people with Down syndrome. Some are “behavioral.” This is commonly what I refer to as the “one and down” – one chew and down
Menstrual Hygiene
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
Tips for Building a New Habit or Routine
Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L has shared several tips for supporting individuals with Down syndrome in building new habits or routines.Source: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is “hair loss from repeated urges to pull or twist the hair until it breaks off.Source: Brian Chicoine, MD
Gout in People with Down Syndrome
Gout is more common in people with Down syndrome (DS), as indicated by the study at this link and our experience at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Gout is a
Alopecia
Several autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in people with Down syndrome (DS) including alopecia areata, a chronic immunological disorder that targets hair follicles and causes hair loss. When a person
Possible Causes of Hair Loss
Hair loss can occur for many reasons.</iframeSource: Brian Chicoine, MD
Tips for Washing and Rinsing Hair in the Shower
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
Teaching Strategies for Students With Special Needs
Special education ensures students with learning disabilities receive specialized instruction designed to meet their unique learning needs. That way, they too get an opportunity to reach their full academic potential.Source:
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing childhood lead poisoning as a public health problem through strengthening blood lead testing, reporting, and surveillance, linking exposed children to recommended
How to Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19
Tips on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19Source: Centers for Diesease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is an issue that we often check for in individuals who receive medical care at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. We usually get enough vitamin B12 from
MCH and MCV
We received a question about MCH and MCV. The question concerned an individual with Down syndrome who had a high MCH and MCV. MCH is mean corpuscular hemoglobin (the average
Two Syndromes
Occasionally, after a presentation, someone will come up to Dr. McGuire or me and tell us that they can’t relate to some point that we made. After hearing this a
