Adult Down Syndrome Center

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Adult Down Syndrome Center The Adult Down Syndrome Center is a health care clinic for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Established in 1992, the Adult Down Syndrome Center was the first and remains one of the largest clinics for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome in the United States. Part of Advocate Health Care, it is located on the campus of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. The Adult Down Syndrome Center and its providers are nationally recognized for their expertise in providing healthcare for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. They have received awards from many organizations including the National Down Syndrome Congress, Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group, and the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. The physicians at the Center – Brian Chicoine, MD and Erin Dominiak, MD – have been recognized as Top Doctors by Chicago Magazine and Castle Connolly. The Center engages in patient-centered research and clinical trials. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded the Center along with the University of Chicago an INCLUDE project grant. The Center was also selected as one of four Center of Excellence Sites for the Down Syndrome Clinical Trials Network launched by LuMind IDSC Foundation. The Center is also committed to sharing its knowledge and experience with others. The Center’s co-founders Brian Chicoine, MD and Dennis McGuire, PhD have published two books – Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges and The Guide to Good Health for Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome. Staff at the Center frequently present at local and national events including the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention and the National Down Syndrome Society Adult Summit. Information is also shared in an extensive online Resource Library that covers a broad range of physical and psychosocial health topics (https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com). We help people with Down syndrome live well. To help support our mission, please visit: https://advocategiving.org/adsc/

Today, we continue to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month as well as spotlight National Disability Employment Awaren...
10/24/2026

Today, we continue to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month as well as spotlight National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Individuals with Down syndrome are often praised for being dependable and dedicated employees. However, workplace success often depends on more than learning job tasks. Research and clinical experience show that challenges with communication, workplace boundaries, flexibility, and problem-solving can sometimes impact employment success for people with Down syndrome.

These social skills can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. With the right supports, opportunities, and workplace understanding, people with Down syndrome can build the skills they need to thrive on the job and contribute their unique strengths to the workforce.

Our online library has several resources on employment, including a recording of a webinar called "Mastering Social Skills for Success in the Workplace." Access it for free at the link below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/workplace-social-skills-webinar-1-10-2024/

10/23/2026

Did you know that women with Down syndrome tend to experience menopause at a younger age (44–46) than neurotypical women? That means perimenopause and related symptoms (hot flashes, mood issues, etc) can begin even earlier too, sometimes in their 30s.

Dr. Graham tells us everything we should know about women’s health over 40, on the latest episode of the podcast!

🎧Listen and subscribe to Aging with Down Syndrome wherever you get your podcasts.

10/23/2026

Dr. Chicoine explains that anesthesia can carry risks for our older loved ones, especially if there’s already cognitive decline. Most of us were not aware of this, until we faced decisions in times of crisis. So we want you to be prepared to ask the right questions, if that time ever comes for you and your loved one. Knowing the risks ahead of time helps you weigh the pros and cons of procedures, and prepare for future conversations and decisions.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Common Health Issues Over 40 with Dr. Chicoine, on the podcast.

🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/common-health-issues-over-40-a-conversation-with/id1857172782?i=1000741473014


In an article on behavior change, Brian Chicoine, MD, writes, "Any and all behavior change should be viewed as a possibl...
10/23/2026

In an article on behavior change, Brian Chicoine, MD, writes, "Any and all behavior change should be viewed as a possible communication tool."

A change in behavior may be the way an individual with or without Down syndrome communicates that they are experiencing a:
🔹 physical or mental health issue,
🔹 social or environmental stressor,
🔹 sensory challenge, or
🔹 combination of these difficulties.

For example, a person who starts to eat only soft foods may be experiencing tooth pain, or a person who stops wanting to go to work may have experienced something upsetting at their workplace. It is important to consider many possible causes when a person has a behavior change.

Learn more in Dr. Chicoine's article linked here ➡ https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/behavior-change/

🩺 CARE Down Syndrome is a free clinical education and resource hub for primary care professionals that the National Down...
10/22/2026

🩺 CARE Down Syndrome is a free clinical education and resource hub for primary care professionals that the National Down Syndrome Society launched in October 2025. It includes a 2-hour course, reference articles, and resource library that healthcare professionals can use to learn about the unique health needs of adults with Down syndrome.

Yesterday, six new expert-reviewed clinical reference articles were added.
▪ Autism in Adults with Down Syndrome
▪ Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Conditions
▪ Gastrointestinal Conditions
▪ Inpatient Care
▪ Laboratory Findings
▪ Skin, Hair, and Nail Conditions

Healthcare professionals can earn free continuing medical education (CME) credits or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) contact hours for reviewing the reference articles or taking the course.

CARE Down Syndrome was developed in collaboration with more than 40 experts including Brian Chicoine, MD, Hannah Graham, MD, and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, from the Adult Down Syndrome Center.

Visit the CARE Down Syndrome website to learn more!
🔗 https://careds.org/

There are some differences in how women with Down syndrome experience menopause compared to women without Down syndrome....
10/21/2026

There are some differences in how women with Down syndrome experience menopause compared to women without Down syndrome. For example:

➡ Age: Some studies show that women with Down syndrome go through menopause at a slightly younger age (around 46 years of age) than women without Down syndrome (around 50-52 years of age).
➡ Symptoms: While women with and without Down syndrome can experience the same common symptoms of menopause, it can be challenging for some women with Down syndrome to explain the symptoms they may be experiencing.
➡ Treatment: The options for treating menopause symptoms are the same for women with and without Down syndrome. However, many of the treatments have not been studied specifically in women with Down syndrome.

Check out the link below for articles, visuals, and other resources on menopause and women's health topics. The list includes a recent episode of the Aging with Down Syndrome podcast titled "Women's Health Over 40" that features Hannah Graham, MD, from our clinic! Dr. Graham shared information about menopause as well as a number of other aging-related women’s health topics. The episode is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/news/down-syndrome-awareness-month-october-21-2026/

People with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of complications from general anesthesia. However, people with Down s...
10/20/2026

People with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of complications from general anesthesia. However, people with Down syndrome can undergo anesthesia safely.

This information is not meant to scare individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We share this information to raise awareness of several unique factors that can affect general anesthesia for a person with Down syndrome including:
◽️Anatomical differences
◽️Physiological differences
◽️Higher rates of certain health conditions
◽️Differences in recognizing and reporting pain and other symptoms

We encourage individuals with Down syndrome and their families to share this information with their healthcare professionals. Brian Chicoine, MD, discusses anesthesia for people with Down syndrome in greater detail in the article linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/anesthesia/

Grief is a natural response to many kinds of loss, not only the death of a loved one. For people with Down syndrome, sig...
10/19/2026

Grief is a natural response to many kinds of loss, not only the death of a loved one. For people with Down syndrome, significant life changes such as graduating from high school, a sibling moving out or getting married, or the departure of trusted staff members can also trigger grief.

We all experience grief differently and grieve in our own way and in our own time. However, there are some aspects of grieving that many people with Down syndrome seem to have in common. For example, some people with Down syndrome experience a delayed response to loss in their lives. Additionally, some individuals discuss a death or loss in very current and immediate terms, even if the death or loss occurred many years ago.

It can be helpful to understand these commonalities when supporting an individual with Down syndrome who is grieving. On Tuesday, November 3, Brittany Anderson, LCSW, the licensed clinical social worker at the Adult Down Syndrome Center, will present a webinar on this topic. She will share practical strategies for providing support before, during, and after a loss to help attendees be better equipped to offer compassionate, effective support that respects each individual’s unique grieving process and timeline.

Learn more and register at the link below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/events/grief-webinar-nov-2026/

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that functions "automatically" and directs the functionin...
10/18/2026

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that functions "automatically" and directs the functioning of body systems that we don't have to think about controlling (such as the opening and constricting of the airways in our lungs). This system functions differently in people with Down syndrome, which may contribute to:
🫀 lower blood pressures and pulses
🚽 gastrointestinal and urinary problems
🩺 increased frequency of fainting
🌡 lower body temperatures

Exactly how the autonomic nervous system is different can vary from one person with Down syndrome to another. It may also change based on the time of day, sleep, physical activity, illness, and age.

Learn more in the article by Brian Chicoine, MD, Medical Director of the Adult Down Syndrome Center, linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/autonomic-nervous-system/

Thyroid conditions are common in people with Down syndrome. They include: ➡ Hypothyroidism - underactive thyroid, occurs...
10/17/2026

Thyroid conditions are common in people with Down syndrome. They include:

➡ Hypothyroidism - underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone
➡ Hyperthyroidism - overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone
➡ Subclinical hypothyroidism - occurs when a blood test shows an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) but normal levels of free T4 and T3
➡ Hashimoto's thyroiditis - an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism
➡ Grave's disease - an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid condition in people with Down syndrome. About 40% of the adolescents and adults with Down syndrome we have seen at our clinic have hypothyroidism.

The GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome recommend screening for hypothyroidism every 1 to 2 years using a TSH test. The screening is for hypothyroidism, but it will also find hyperthyroidism if it is present.

Learn more about hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in people with Down syndrome in the article linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism/

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1610 Luther Lane
Park Ridge, IL
60068

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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