DDC Clinic ~ Center for Special Needs Children

06/23/2026

🚨 Understanding a life-threatening metabolic emergency 🚨

Propionic Acidemia (PA) is a rare, autosomal recessive condition caused by a change in the PCCB gene. This gene is provides the instructions for making the propionyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme, which is involved in the breakdown of proteins and certain types of fat and cholesterol.

When the propionyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme is missing or inactive, toxic compunds build up in the body, leading to significant damage to the brain and nervous system.

Because it is an autosomal recessive condition, individuals need to inherit two copies of the mutation in the PCCB gene (one from each parent) in order to be affected.

Key symptoms include: 🔹Loss of appetite and poor feeding 🔹Vomiting 🔹Low muscle tone 🔹Lack of energy 🔹Failure to thrive

Without early intervention, these symptoms may progress into more serious complications, including coma and death. Later onset Propionic Acidemia is less common and symptoms may come and go over time.

At DDC Clinic, our lab offers genetic testing for Propionic Acidemia through Targeted Variant Analysis. This condition is also included on our Genetic Awareness Panel (GAP).

To learn more, visit: ddcclinic.org.

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day from DDC Clinic!

Today, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who show up every day with strength, patience, and unconditional love.

We are especially grateful for the dads in our DDC Clinic family who advocate fiercely, attend appointments, ask questions, provide comfort, and never stop searching for answers for their children. Your dedication plays an important role in every success story and every step forward.

Thank you for the countless ways you support your families and inspire those around you.

Wishing all fathers a day filled with love, appreciation, and special moments with those who matter most.

💙 Happy Father's Day!

06/19/2026

Join a Team That's Changing Lives Around the World

DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children is growing, and we're looking for a Primary Care Physician and a Medical Geneticist to join our exceptional team.

Located in the heart of Ohio's Amish Country, DDC Clinic has become a global leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of rare genetic disorders. Our physicians and researchers work at the forefront of genetic discovery, caring for patients from across the United States and around the world while advancing innovative approaches to personalized medicine.

This is a unique opportunity to practice in a collaborative, mission-driven environment where clinical care, cutting-edge research, and compassionate service come together. Team members have the opportunity to make a direct impact on patient lives while contributing to discoveries that influence the future of rare disease care worldwide.

If you're looking for meaningful work, an outstanding team culture, and the chance to be part of something truly special, we'd love to hear from you.

Please share this post with anyone who may be interested.

ddcclinic.org
440-632-1668

06/18/2026

🎉 Exciting News for DDC Clinic and the families we serve!

DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children has been awarded $100,000 through Ohio's FY 2027-2028 Capital Budget, recently signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine.

This investment will support laboratory infrastructure expansion, helping strengthen our ability to provide advanced diagnostic services for patients and families affected by rare genetic disorders. The funding will also support the continued growth of our Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory and Family Heart Center, enhancing our capacity to diagnose inherited heart conditions and provide specialized cardiogenetic services.

From our home in rural Geauga County, DDC Clinic serves patients from across the United States and around the world—helping families find answers, advancing research, and improving lives.

We are grateful to Governor DeWine, the Ohio General Assembly, and the legislators who supported this important investment in rare disease care and diagnosis.

ddcclinic.org

06/11/2026

DDC Clinic is proud to participate in this important conference hosted by Clinic for Special Children -- focused on advancing the care and understanding of genetic conditions affecting Plain Community populations, including Old Order Amish and Mennonite families.

Collaboration is essential to improving outcomes for individuals living with rare genetic disorders. We look forward to joining clinicians, researchers, healthcare leaders, and community members to share knowledge, discuss emerging therapies, and strengthen partnerships that help bring answers, hope, and specialized care to families across the country.

Register today!
https://www.plaincommunityhc.org/conference


Register today! Clinic for Special Children

Limited tickets are still available for the 2026 Translational Medicine Conference in the Plain Populations Conference! 🩺

Join us on July 20th & 21st in Lancaster for the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with others passionate about health and wellness in the Plain community. 🧬

Register today before tickets are gone! https://www.plaincommunityhc.org/conference

06/11/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to our team members celebrating birthdays in June! 🎉

This month, we recognize and celebrate:

🎂 Dr. John Tumbush, Staff Physician
🎂 Julia Szekely, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Manager

Thank you both for your dedication, expertise, and commitment to the patients and families we serve. We are grateful to have you as part of the DDC Clinic team.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday month and a year filled with happiness, health, and success!

06/10/2026

✨ Unveiling Our Top 30 Conditions at DDC Clinic! ✨

We are highlighting the 30 most frequent genetic conditions we see here at DDC Clinic. Each post is dedicated to raising awareness, exploring unique facts, and detailing our specialized care. Follow along to learn about these rare genetic conditions!

Condition #13 at DDC Clinic is Yoder Dystonia!

What is it? Also called Galloway-Mowat Syndrome 1, this rare condition is caused by a change in the WDR73 gene. A specific “founder mutation” in this gene is found at a higher frequency within the Old Order Amish population.

Inheritance: This is an autosomal recessive condition, meaning a patient must inherit two abnormal copies of the WDR73 gene (one from each parent) to be affected.

Key symptoms:
🔹Kidney issues: the kidneys struggle to filter blood properly, leading to protein loss in the urine, and eventually, kidney failure (nephrotic syndrome)
🔹Neurological and developmental abnormalities: includes developmental delays and intellectual disability, small head size (microcephaly), seizures, and low muscle tone
🔹Physical features: high narrow forehead, low-set ears, almond-shaped eyes, and hand and foot abnormalities

The prognosis for this condition is generally poor and treatment is supportive, focusing on managing the symptoms and supporting developmental needs. Patients require coordinated care from a team of specialists.

While more than 70 cases have been reported, DDC Clinic provides specialized care for nearly 20 patients affected by Yoder Dystonia and our team has been involve in one scientific publication on the condition. We are committed to the discovery, diagnosis, and management of rare genetic conditions like Yoder Dystonia. We are proud to provide specialized, comprehensive care to our patients and families.

06/08/2026

DDC Clinic is helping shape the future of how Byler disease (PFIC) is researched, understood, and treated.

We are proud to announce that Medical Director Dr. Heng Wang has been selected to serve on the Steering Committee of the Patient-Centered PFIC Research Consortium, a national initiative bringing together clinicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and advocacy leaders to advance patient-centered research and improve outcomes.

As part of this important work, Dr. Wang will join fellow experts and patient advocates at the PFIC Family & Scientific Conference in Chicago this July, where consortium members will continue developing a roadmap for future research and collaboration.

Dr. Wang's appointment reflects DDC Clinic's longstanding expertise in rare genetic disorders and its commitment to advancing research that directly benefits patients and families. Over the next two years, consortium members will help establish research priorities, develop governance structures, and lay the groundwork for future studies aimed at improving care for those affected by PFIC.

Learn more about DDC Clinic's work in rare disease care, research, and genetic discovery at ddcclinic.org.

06/05/2026

☀️ Summer is shaping up to be a busy one at DDC Clinic!

Members of our team will be traveling to Chicago and Pennsylvania to participate in conferences, consortiums, and collaborative events focused on advancing rare disease research, genetic testing, and patient care. These opportunities allow us to share what we've learned, learn from others, and build partnerships that benefit the families we serve.

🤝 Closer to home, our Amish community continues to lean in with incredible generosity. Through auctions and other fundraising events—which you'll hear more about in the coming weeks—supporters are helping ensure that DDC Clinic can continue providing specialized care, groundbreaking research, and hope for families affected by rare genetic disorders.

💙 Every mile traveled, every partnership formed, and every dollar raised helps move our mission forward.

Learn more at ddcclinic.org.