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 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/
02/03/2026
We often receive questions about how to find therapists, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals with experience working with individuals with Down syndrome. Our Resource Library has an article with a few suggestions such as asking for recommendations from local Down syndrome organizations or parent groups (see the link below).
While many mental health professionals do not have experience working specifically with people with Down syndrome, they can adapt their existing skills to effectively work with individuals with Down syndrome seeking mental health support and treatment. Several organizations have developed articles, webinar recordings, and trainings that mental health professionals can use to learn how to adapt their approach to best support individuals with Down syndrome.
Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, the occupational therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center, will discuss transitions - from major changes such as graduating high school or moving out of the house to smaller changes such as adjusting to a new pair of shoes or transitioning between activities.
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. Central Time
Location: Zoom
Cost: Free
Iron deficiency occurs when a person does not have enough iron in their body. It can cause anemia, which is a low red blood cell count. This type of anemia is referred to as iron deficiency anemia.
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia can occur for many reasons in adults with Down syndrome. One reason is untreated celiac disease (having celiac disease and not following a gluten-free diet). Celiac disease is more common in people with Down syndrome.
A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that is used to determine whether a person has anemia. Additional blood tests are necessary to determine if it is due to iron deficiency. Learn more in the article linked below.
Our Resource Library has several visuals and stories about employment and the workplace. "Story About Work" explains things we should do at work such as:
⭐ doing our best
👂🏽 listening,
✅ following the rules,
❓ asking questions if we are confused or unsure about something.
Our library also has resources on finding a job that is right for each individual and having appropriate conversations in the workplace. Access them for free at the link below!
Some people with Down syndrome have difficulty going up and down stairs. There are a variety of factors to consider including (but not limited to):
▪️Aging
▪️Vision problems and differences in depth perception
▪️Unsteady gait
▪️Fear of heights
Our Resource Library has a list of tips compiled by our occupational therapist Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, and our former licensed clinical social worker Abby Rowley, LCSW. The tips include environmental changes that can increase safety as well as in-the-moment strategies for reassuring an individual and decreasing anxiety. See the article linked below for the full list.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a health issue in the intestines (bowels). It is in a group of disorders related to the interaction between the gut and the brain (nervous system). IBS is probably more common in people with Down syndrome, in part because the motility of the gut is often different in people with Down syndrome.
IBS can be associated with constipation, diarrhea, or both. Treatments include dietary change, stress management, and medications. Brian Chicoine, MD, shares more information in the article linked below.
The weather has been quite chilly in Chicago and in many areas of the United States recently! Cold outdoor air, low humidity, and indoor heating can all contribute to dry skin. Dry skin is a common skin problem that people with Down syndrome can experience not only in the colder winter months but all year long.
For most people with Down syndrome, dry skin typically requires ongoing attention and treatment. A few ways to prevent and treat dry skin are:
💧 staying hydrated,
💨 limiting skin exposure to sun and strong wind,
🧴 using moisturizing creams and ointments, and
💊 assessing and treating for hypothyroidism.
Sensory processing challenges are relatively common among adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. They can be related to one or more of our 8 senses - touch, sight, sound, taste, smell, vestibular, proprioceptive, and/or interoceptive.
Some examples include:
➡ Dislike of certain fabrics or clothing items
➡ Sensitivity to loud sounds, visual stimuli, or strong scents
➡ Trouble with recognizing feelings of thirst or satiation (feeling full)
➡ Difficulty with regulating force (e.g., applying too much or not enough pressure when completing a task)
When the sensory system is not regulated, a person can have difficulty managing their behavior and actions, completing tasks, and interacting with others. Treatment is highly individualized and can range from using weighted objects to doing push-ups to wearing headphones in noisy environments. The goal is to help a person function more smoothly. Occupational therapist Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L provides more information about sensory processing challenges in people with Down syndrome in the article linked below.
Women with Down syndrome can experience all of the same common symptoms of menopause as women without Down syndrome. It can be challenging for some women with Down syndrome to explain some of the symptoms they may be experiencing.
Our Resource Library has a set of visuals about menopause and symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, emotions, sleep, and weight. There are two sets with different skin colors. They can be accessed for free at the link below.
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.
The More than Down Syndrome Workshop is a free seminar for parents, family, and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome and autism that we co-facilitate with the National Association for Down Syndrome. The next session will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Central). Attendees will participate in an open forum on behaviors and strategies.
Tasks that require fine motor skills can be challenging for some individuals with Down syndrome. There are many activities that can be done at any age to improve fine motor skills over time. Often, these activities are already or can be incorporated into daily life.
Here are several ideas from Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, the occupational therapist at our clinic:
🫙 Open and close food containers and food storage containers such as glass or plastic jars, condiment bottles, Ziploc bags, Tupperware, etc.
🍢 Make kebabs with fruit, cheese, meat, and/or vegetables for a meal or snack.
💊 Sort pills into a pill box or organizer.
👖 Fasten buttons and zippers.
🔑 Use a key to lock/unlock a door or drawer.
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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).
