Special Connections - Valdosta/Lowndes County

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Salmon it’s what’s for dinner

03/27/2026

Having blood drawn can be stressful for many people, especially if they have had negative experiences in the past. In the article linked below, our occupational therapist Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, has compiled a list of tips and strategies to promote successful and less stressful blood draws. The article also includes a link to a visual about getting blood drawn.

🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/tips-for-successful-blood-draws/

03/27/2026

🩵💛 You have 4 more days to take advantage of early bird 🐦 special!
🔗in comments/bio

03/27/2026

We facilitate a variety of health education and social skills groups for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. We often use videos in these groups. We also encourage individuals with Down syndrome and their families to use videos when working on learning and skill building at home.

Using videos can be a wonderful way for people with Down syndrome to:
➡ learn new skills,
➡ practice existing skills, and
➡ develop greater independence.

We use videos from YouTube as well as videos from our collection of videos featuring individuals with Down syndrome. Learn more about the benefits of using videos and find links to videos we use in the article below!
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/using-videos-to-support-individuals-with-down-syndrome/

03/27/2026

Down syndrome regression disorder is a condition that affects some people with Down syndrome in their teens and twenties. It is characterized by a significant decline in skills related to language, communication, cognition, executive function, behavior, or other areas. It is thought that less than 1% of people with Down syndrome have this condition (although it is difficult to know the exact prevalence because it has been referred to by many names and much is still being learned about the condition).

A helpful resource is the Down Syndrome & Regression page on the National Down Syndrome Society's website. It provides information on symptoms and treatment of DSRD. The NDSS page also has a downloadable PDF with a symptom checklist. See the link below to find this resource and other resources on decline in skills and regression in our online library.

🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/regression-down-syndrome/

03/27/2026

Community includes everyone. This , we’re proud to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing trusted, lifelong care.

03/16/2026

Hair loss can happen for many reasons - and some of those causes are more common in people with Down syndrome. From autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata to fungal infections such as tinea capitis, and even nutritional deficiencies or medication side effects, getting to the why is the first step toward finding the right treatment.

In the article linked below, Brian Chicoine, MD, breaks down the different types of hair loss, what to look for, and how these conditions are diagnosed and treated in individuals with Down syndrome.

🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/possible-causes-of-hair-loss/

03/16/2026

For people with and without Down syndrome, our needs may change as we age and/or develop health issues. We may need to make challenging decisions about where we live. Some questions that we may need to consider include:
▪ Should we stay in our current home?
▪ Should we seek in-home support?
▪ Should we move to an assisted living setting or nursing home?
▪ When is the optimal time to move?

In the article linked below, Brian Chicoine, MD, shares information that individuals with Down syndrome and their families may want to consider when answering these questions.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/increased-need-for-services-and-support/

03/16/2026

A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue in the body pushes through a defect or weak spot in the muscle or tissue that keeps it in place. Hernias may be more common in people with Down syndrome due to differences in connective tissue.

Some common types of hernias in people with Down syndrome include:
▪ Inguinal hernias (those that occur in the groin)
▪ Umbilical hernias (those that occur at the umbilicus or belly button)
▪ Epigastric or ventral hernias (those that occur in the abdominal area)
▪ Hernias at the site of a previous abdominal surgery

Often, hernias can be monitored and do not require treatment. However, some hernias require surgical correction. Brian Chicoine, MD, shares information on hernias in people with Down syndrome in the article linked below.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/hernias/