Adult Down Syndrome Center

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.
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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 providin

g 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/

Consent is an important topic that we discuss in our social skills groups for individuals with Down syndrome. Consent re...
09/05/2026

Consent is an important topic that we discuss in our social skills groups for individuals with Down syndrome. Consent requires respect, trust, and clear communication. Understanding consent can help a person with Down syndrome stay safe and feel empowered to make their own choices in everyday interactions.

Our Resource Library has a visual story about consent developed by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, the occupational therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. The story breaks down what consent means using examples that are easy to understand and discuss. It is available for free at the link below.

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/consent-story/

Our gait or the way that we walk can change for a variety of reasons. Gait changes in individuals with Down syndrome can...
09/04/2026

Our gait or the way that we walk can change for a variety of reasons. Gait changes in individuals with Down syndrome can signal a wide range of underlying health issues - from orthopedic concerns and injuries to vision changes, arthritis, or even early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.

The first step to identify the cause is usually an appointment with a primary care professional. It is helpful for individuals with Down syndrome to share their symptoms and for families and caregivers to share their observations.

Learn what to watch for and how to support proper evaluation and treatment in the article by Brian Chicoine, MD, linked below.

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/gait-changes/

Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy or counseling. It can help people with and without Down syndrome address a var...
09/03/2026

Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy or counseling. It can help people with and without Down syndrome address a variety of mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns.

The goals of psychotherapy are to:
💬 treat symptoms of concern
💬 help the person feel better
💬 help the person function more effectively in their daily life

The article linked below provides answers to common questions about psychotherapy for individuals with Down syndrome including:
▪ How long does a therapy session last?
▪ How many sessions do individuals with Down syndrome need?
▪ Do families participate in the sessions?
▪ Can therapy be beneficial for people with Down syndrome with limited verbal communication skills?

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/psychotherapy/

The gallbladder is an important organ for the digestion of food. Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are hard, pebble-like lumps...
09/02/2026

The gallbladder is an important organ for the digestion of food. Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are hard, pebble-like lumps that can form in the gallbladder. They are more common in people with Down syndrome.

Symptoms of gallstones include:
▪️abdominal pain,
▪️back pain,
▪️chest pain,
▪️diarrhea, and/or
▪️vomiting.

If an individual has difficulty reporting these symptoms, a change in behavior or appetite may be observed.

Some people have gallstones for years without having any symptoms. If symptoms develop, the most common treatment is surgical removal of the gallbladder (along with the stones inside). Learn more in the article by Brian Chicoine, MD, linked below.

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/gallstones/

🎥 Webinar Recording Available: Adapting Activities for Older Adults with Down SyndromeAs individuals with Down syndrome ...
09/01/2026

🎥 Webinar Recording Available: Adapting Activities for Older Adults with Down Syndrome

As individuals with Down syndrome age, daily tasks and leisure activities may become more challenging - for them and for their caregivers. In the webinar linked below, Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, shares practical strategies to modify and adapt activities to support safety, independence, and dignity.

💡 Topics include:
▪ Understanding changes in ability with age
▪ Progression of assistance levels
▪ Adaptive equipment
▪ Visual supports
▪ And more

Watch the recording, review the slides, and access resources at the link below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/adapting-activities-for-older-adults-webinar-3-13-2025/

Did you know that cervical cancer is less common in women with Down syndrome? In an article recently added to our Resour...
08/31/2026

Did you know that cervical cancer is less common in women with Down syndrome?

In an article recently added to our Resource Library, Hannah Graham, MD, provides information to help women with Down syndrome and their families and caregivers understand HPV, cervical cancer risk, and available screening options.

Key takeaways include:
✅ HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus, and certain types can cause cervical cancer.
✅ There are currently no separate cervical cancer screening guidelines specifically for women with Down syndrome. Screening recommendations are generally the same as for women without Down syndrome.
✅ The best screening approach is individualized and should consider a woman's age, medical history, risk of HPV exposure, comfort level, and ability to complete testing.
✅ Additional supports, visual resources, and accommodations can help make screening more accessible.

See the link below to learn more about HPV, cervical cancer prevention, and screening considerations for women with Down syndrome.
🔗https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/hpv-and-cervical-cancer-screening-in-women-with-down-syndrome

Including a fruit or vegetable with each meal and snack is a great way to: 🥕 help make your meals and snacks healthy, ba...
08/30/2026

Including a fruit or vegetable with each meal and snack is a great way to:

🥕 help make your meals and snacks healthy, balanced, and nutritious
🍎 improve digestion
🥦 keep your body fueled
🫐 increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables
🫛 and more!

Our Resource Library has a visual that can be hung on the refrigerator, pantry, or other places where food is stored or prepared to remind you and others in the home to include a fruit or vegetable in snacks and meals. It is available in English and Spanish. This is a tip and resource that our clinicians often share with individuals with Down syndrome who come to our clinic for lifestyle medicine appointments.

Access the visual for free at the link below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/visual-eat-fruit-or-vegetable-with-meals-and-snacks/

Many people with Down syndrome have a preference for sameness, repetition, and routine (referred to as "The Groove" by D...
08/29/2026

Many people with Down syndrome have a preference for sameness, repetition, and routine (referred to as "The Groove" by Dennis McGuire, PhD, and Brian Chicoine, MD). This preference can make change particularly difficult to navigate.

The visual story linked below is called "When Things in My Life Change." It explains that:
➡ Change means something is different than before.
➡ Change might occur with our health, family, friends, home, work, or activities.
➡ Change can be hard, but it can also be good and exciting!
➡ Change is important to continue growing as a person. We can handle it!

It may be helpful to read this story if a person is anticipating a life change or if a life change has recently occurred. Access the story for free at the link below!

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/when-things-in-my-life-change-story/

▶️ New Webinar Recording ➡ Understanding Men's Health in Down Syndrome ▶️The recording of the webinar on men's health in...
08/28/2026

▶️ New Webinar Recording ➡ Understanding Men's Health in Down Syndrome ▶️

The recording of the webinar on men's health in Down syndrome that Dr. Brian Chicoine presented on Wednesday is now available in our Resource Library. Dr. Chicoine covered a range of topics including fertility, testosterone, undescended testicle, cancer screening, and recommendations for medical care (exams, screenings, blood tests, etc.). He also shared resources with additional information on the unique health needs of males with Down syndrome.

Access the recording, slides, and resources for free at the link below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/mens-health-webinar-recording/

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are more common in people with Down syndrome. A large study comparing health data of peo...
08/27/2026

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are more common in people with Down syndrome. A large study comparing health data of people with Down syndrome to people without Down syndrome found that swallowing problems were 6 times more common in people with Down syndrome. Swallowing can be affected by anatomical or physical issues as well as by behaviors like not chewing adequately or eating too quickly.

Difficulty with swallowing (dysphagia) can be a significant health problem causing a variety of symptoms and complications. A type of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia is one of the more serious complications of swallowing problems.
Some ways to avoid swallowing problems include:
▪ Cutting food into small bites
▪ Moistening food (with gravy or sauces)
▪ Taking a sip of water between bites
▪ Using a cup that limits the amount of liquid that enters the mouth with each sip
▪ Avoiding foods that are difficult to chew
▪ Drinking thickened liquids

Brian Chicoine, MD provides more information about diagnosing, treating, and preventing swallowing problems in people with Down syndrome in the article linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/dysphagia/

Address

1610 Luther Lane
Park Ridge, IL
60068

Opening Hours

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

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