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DDC Clinic ~ Center for Special Needs Children

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Middlefield, OH
DDC Clinic ~ Center for Special Needs Children

A non-profit primary care physicians office serving patients with rare genetic disorders.

04/10/2026

Good luck to our very own Bea Torres-Fults! 🌟

We are so excited to see Bea in Scottsdale, Arizona presenting at the Annual Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association (PCNA) Symposium—for the second time!

This week she is sharing her poster abstract:
“Enhancing Cardiogenetic Care in Anabaptist Pediatric Populations: Bridging Genetic Insight and Interventional Needs for MYBPC3, KCNQ1, DSP, and TTN Variants.”

Your dedication to advancing cardiogenetic care and advocating for underserved populations continues to inspire us all. We are so proud of you, Bea! 👏💙

04/06/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to Our April Team Members! 🎉

It’s always important to recognize the people who are dedicated to our mission. Wishing a very happy birthday to Michael Hoffart, our dedicated Laboratory Technician, and Vanessa Duke, our skilled Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomy Technician at our Titusville office! 🥳

Thank you both for everything you do — we hope your day is as wonderful as you are!

04/05/2026

Wishing you and your family a joyful and hope-filled Easter. 🌸

At DDC Clinic, we are reminded this season that hope is not just something we feel—it’s something we work toward every day for the children and families we serve.

May this Easter bring renewed strength, peace, and brighter days ahead for all.

Happy Easter from all of us at DDC Clinic.

04/02/2026

Last year at our annual Patchwork Event, our community came together to make something extraordinary possible.

Today, that impact is real—and delivering.

Because of donor support, the MiSeq i100 is now fully operational and running clinical tests, providing faster, more accurate answers for children and families who have often waited far too long for them.

What began as a moment of generosity has become a powerful clinical tool. Behind the scenes, months of dedication—from installation to validation—made this milestone possible. But it all started with one decision: to give.

And now, as this year’s Patchwork event approaches, we’re reminded that moments like these don’t just happen. They’re made possible by people who choose to show up, support, and believe in what’s possible.

Because of you, hope doesn’t just grow—it delivers answers.

04/01/2026

✨ 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 #18 at DDC Clinic is Amish Brittle Hair Syndrome!

What is it? Also known as Nonphotosensitive Trichothiodystrophy-4 (TTD4), this rare condition is caused by a change in the MPLKIP gene. This gene plays a vital role in regulating the cell cycle during cell division. When disrupted, it affects the development of various tissues, including the hair, skin, and nails.

Key symptoms:
🔹Hair and Nails: Brittle, sparse hair and nails that may be brittle or absent
🔹Growth and Development: Short stature, intellectual impairment, developmental delays
🔹Physical Features: Small head size (microcephaly), receding chin, large ears
🔹Skin: Dry, thick or scaly, often with a decreased ability to sweat

Under a polarizing microscope, the hair shows a distinct alternating light and dark pattern known as “tiger tail banding.”

Inheritance: Amish Brittle Hair Syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition. This means a patient must inherit two abnormal copies of the MPLKIP gene, one from each parent, to be affected.

Prevalence & Expertise: This condition has an estimated incidence of 1 in 1 million. While only about 100 individuals have been reported worldwide with the condition, we currently care for more than 10 patients with Amish Brittle Hair Syndrome. Testing for Amish Brittle Hair Syndrome is offered through our Genetic Awareness Panel (GAP) as well as through targeted testing.

Treatment, as with most rare genetic conditions, focuses on managing the symptoms through a multidisciplinary approach.

At DDC Clinic, we are committed to early diagnosis and management of Amish Brittle Hair Syndrome along with many other rare genetic conditions. We are proud to provide specialized, comprehensive care to our patients and families.

03/30/2026

There are doctors—and then there are teams of extraordinary doctors. At DDC Clinic, Drs. Heng Wang, Bao Xin, and John Tumbush, alongside our Cleveland Clinic partner physicians Dr. Mike Hill and Dr. Jeff Bennett, are truly in a league of their own.

Today, we proudly celebrate them on this National Doctors’ Day.

Their expertise in specialized cardiac care and rare genetic diseases creates a powerful collaboration—one that allows our patients to benefit from exceptional knowledge, compassion, and coordinated care.

At DDC Clinic, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with special needs caused by rare genetic disorders, and these amazing doctors help to bring that mission to life every day.

Learn more at ddcclinic.com

03/27/2026

✨ New venue. Same powerful mission.

Join us for Patchwork 2026: Hope Grows at Schoolyard Studio—a stunning new space where history, community, and purpose come together.

📅 April 11 | 4–8 p.m.
📍 Burton, OH

A place built for children. An evening dedicated to their future.

🎟 Get your tickets: ddcclinic.org/events/patchwork-benefit-2026

03/24/2026

🧠Iron: Vital for blood, but complex in the brain.

Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA1), also known as PKAN, is a rare and complex genetic condition caused by a mutation in the PANK2 gene. When this gene is not functioning correctly, iron accumulates in specific areas of the brain, leading to progressive movement disorders.

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

Key Symptoms include: 🔹Movement problems🔹Speech and swallowing problems 🔹Vision Problems 🔹Cognitive and Behavioral issues

At DDC Clinic, our lab offers genetic testing for NBIA1 through Targeted Variant Analysis. This condition is also included on our Genetic Awareness Panel (GAP).

NBIA1 is one of the conditions our clinic sees most often. To learn more, check out our Top Conditions #23 post or visit: ddcclinic.org/about-our-lab

03/23/2026

DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children congratulates Dr. Heng Wang, our Medical Director and the clinic’s first employee 25 years ago, on being named the 2026 recipient of the Frank Samuel Distinguished Service Award from the Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc.

This recognition highlights a career defined by compassion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to children and families. Dr. Wang’s impact continues to be felt across our community and beyond—and was recently spotlighted in the Geauga County Maple Leaf.

He will be formally honored at an April ceremony, celebrating 25 years of dedication to DDC Clinic and the patients we serve. Congratulations, Dr. Wang!

03/18/2026

✨ 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 #19 at DDC Clinic is Autosomal Recessive Intellectual Developmental Disorder 70 (MRT70)!

What is it? This rare condition, also known as MRT70, is caused by a change in the RSRC1 gene. This gene is involved in a process called Splicing. Changes in the gene can affect neurological development and lead to challenges with speech, motor skills, and behavior.

Inheritance: MRT70 is an autosomal recessive condition. This means a patient must inherit two abnormal copies of the RSRC1 gene, one from each parent, to be affected.

Prevalence & Expertise: The exact prevalence of the condition is unknown. However, DDC Clinic is a global leader in its care. We currently care for about 10 patients with MRT70, which is more than any other medical center. At DDC Clinic, testing for MRT780 is only offered through our Genetic Awareness Panel (GAP).

Treatment for MRT70, as with most rare genetic conditions, focuses on managing the symptoms through supportive therapies and early intervention.

At DDC Clinic, we are committed to early diagnosis and management of MRT70 along with many other rare genetic conditions. We are proud to provide specialized, comprehensive care to our patients and families.

03/16/2026

🍎 Nutrition can play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals living with rare genetic conditions. For many of the children and families served by DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children, thoughtful nutrition can help address challenges related to growth, feeding, metabolism, and maintaining a healthy weight.

While nutrition does not treat the underlying genetic condition, it can be an important part of comprehensive, personalized care. At DDC Clinic, our integrated model brings clinicians and researchers together to better understand rare diseases and support families with practical guidance that improves everyday health and quality of life.

Learn more about our work: ddcclinic.org

03/14/2026

Every Number Tells a Story — Even Pi.

Today is Pi Day (3.14), a celebration of one of the most fascinating numbers in mathematics—an infinite number where every digit matters.

At DDC Clinic Center for Special Needs Children, that idea resonates deeply. In rare disease research, every data point, every gene, and every patient story matters. Each piece of information helps researchers better understand complex genetic conditions and move closer to answers for children and families.

Just like the digits of Pi continue endlessly, the pursuit of knowledge and discovery continues every day—driven by science, curiosity, and hope.

Learn more about our work at ddcclinic.org.

Address

14567 Madison Road
Middlefield, OH
44062

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+14406321668

Website

http://www.ddcclinic.org/, https://www.ddcclinic.org/make-a-donation/

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