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/
09/01/2025
Many people with Down syndrome have a preference for sameness, repetition, and routine. 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 family, friends, home, work, or activities. The story reminds us that change can be hard, but it can also be good and exciting! It may be helpful to read this story if a person is anticipating a life change or if a life change has recently occurred.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/when-things-in-my-life-change-story/
08/31/2025
Our vascular system includes the heart as well as blood vessels (veins, arteries, and smaller blood vessels). Arteries carry blood away from the heart towards the body and veins return blood from the body back towards the heart. When the veins are not functioning correctly, the blood will not flow back to the heart appropriately. This can cause several health conditions including varicose veins, venous insufficiency, venous stasis, and hemosiderin staining. In our experience, these conditions seem to be more common in people with Down syndrome. See the article by Brian Chicoine, MD, linked below for more information about these conditions in people with Down syndrome.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/when-veins-dont-work/
08/30/2025
Proprioception is the part of the sensory system that helps us know where our bodies are in space. Proprioceptive sensors work differently in people with Down syndrome which can impact:
▪ Motor coordination (they may appear "clumsy")
▪ Motor planning (they may have difficulty carrying out a movement even though they know how to do it)
▪ Movement grading (using too much or too little force when doing a movement)
Providing input to the muscles and joints or proprioceptive input can improve proprioception. Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center, provides more information on proprioception in people with Down syndrome in the article linked below.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/proprioceptive-input/
08/29/2025
What is your favorite way to be active? In the video linked below, Jenny and Kathy share that they enjoy dancing and going for walks with friends. They explain that being active and exercising help us be strong and healthy! Check out the video for tips on increasing your daily physical activity and ways to make exercising more fun!
🤸🏋️🏊🏿♀️ https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/tips-for-being-physically-active-video/
08/28/2025
People with Down syndrome are more likely to have ear wax buildup (cerumen impaction). This is likely due to smaller and more curved ear canals, which make it difficult for the body's natural processes to remove ear wax. While there are at-home treatment options, medical office procedures are often required to remove the wax. It is important to speak with a health care professional before trying at-home ear wax treatments, especially if there is a hole (perforation) or tube in the eardrum. See the link below for an article about ear wax buildup in people with Down syndrome written by Brian Chicoine, MD, and a visual about having ear wax removed created by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/cerumen-impaction-ear-wax/
08/27/2025
Our bodies have several sensory systems that contribute to our sense of balance. People with Down syndrome often have differences in each of these sensory systems compared to people without Down syndrome. These differences can directly affect their balance. Fortunately, much like there are exercises that improve muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance, there are also exercises that improve balance and stability. Our Resource Library has an article on balance written by Jennifer Spiric, PT, DPT, physical therapist at Mann Method PT and Fitness, PLLC, and Brian Chicoine, MD, from our clinic. Check it out at the link below!
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/balance-and-down-syndrome/
08/26/2025
As students return to school, many of us are transitioning from a summer routine to a school year routine. Transitions such as the end of summer and the beginning of the school year can be great times to start working on building a new habit because it pairs changes. For example, you might say, "We did X in the summer but now that the school year has started, we are going to do Y." Building a new habit takes time but once an action is part of our routine, it becomes easier to maintain. This is especially true for many people with Down syndrome who have the "Groove" or a preference for routine, sameness, and repetition. In the article linked below, Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, shares tips and resources for establishing a new habit or routine.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/building-new-habit-or-routine/
08/25/2025
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux and heartburn, happens when stomach contents move backwards from the stomach up into the esophagus. Symptoms include pain or burning in the chest or upper stomach, chronic cough, regurgitation, sore throat, loss of enamel on the teeth, sleep disruption, and others. There are several reasons why GERD is common in people with Down syndrome including decreased muscle tone of the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. The article linked below provides an overview of GERD and describes medications and at-home treatments.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/gastroesophogeal-reflux-disease/
08/24/2025
Some people with Down syndrome we have seen at our clinic follow the weather very closely. Storms or the possibility of storms can be a source of anxiety or fear for them. It can be helpful to avoid or set limits on watching weather reports on TV or following weather updates on phones. There are also strategies that can be used during a storm. Some of them are highlighted in the graphic with today's post. For more tips on managing anxiety during storms, check out the article linked below.
⛈ https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/managing-anxiety-during-storms/
08/23/2025
Today we are spotlighting our visual about where to meet someone to date. This is one of the topics we cover during our groups on dating and relationships for individuals with Down syndrome. We discuss that someone who has similar interests as us may be a good person to date. Taking a class or joining a group related to one of our interests might help us meet someone. While dating apps are very popular, we encourage our group participants to look for someone to date at one of the places highlighted on the visual because they tend to be safer and more effective places to meet a potential romantic partner. The visual is available for free at the link below.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/where-to-meet-someone-to-date-visual/
08/22/2025
While prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men without Down syndrome, it is uncommon in men with Down syndrome. There is uncertainty about the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening for men with and without Down syndrome. Some medical organizations do not recommend any screening while others recommend screening based on age and risk factors. In the article linked below, Brian Chicoine, MD, discusses the recommendations for all men and what factors men with Down syndrome may want to consider.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/prostate-cancer-screening-in-men-with-down-syndrome/
08/21/2025
Many students have started a new school year or will be going back to school soon. Looking for ideas of healthy snacks for school or afterschool? Check out the article linked below written by Mandy Fila, MS, RD, CDCES, LDN, a registered dietician. Mandy explains that a good snack fills us up and gives us energy. We can use snacks to add more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats to our diets. In the article, Mandy also shares tips for choosing healthy snacks and provides a list of healthy, filling, and delicious snack ideas. The article includes a link to a visual handout on healthy snacking.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/healthy-snacking/
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Established in 1992, the Adult Down Syndrome Center was the first and remains the largest clinic for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome in the United States. Part of Advocate Aurora Health Care, it is located on the campus of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Advocate Aurora Health is one of the 10 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States. A national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, the system serves nearly 3 million patients annually in Illinois and Wisconsin across more than 500 sites of care.
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).
