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/
04/11/2026
Celiac disease is more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. It can develop at any age throughout a person's life. Celiac disease can cause gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, increased gas, constipation, bloating, and others. It can also cause non-gastrointestinal symptoms such as fatigue, behavior changes, muscle cramps, and many others.
The treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet (not eating foods that contain wheat, barley, or rye). Many people with Down syndrome can learn how to manage a gluten-free diet independently or with some support.
Our Resource Library has a set of visuals on celiac disease. The visuals include:
▪ an overview of celiac disease,
▪ a list of gluten-free foods, and
▪ tips for eating gluten-free at restaurants and parties.
Acrocyanosis is a purple or bluish discoloration of the extremities (usually the hands and/or feet). It is caused by constricting of the small blood vessels in the hands and feet which results in decreased oxygen being delivered to those areas. This is a normal response to cold temperatures (to preserve body temperature), but it can also occur when the temperatures are not cold.
Acrocyanosis is typically painless and is not associated with a serious health condition. Other possible causes of a purple or bluish discoloration of the hands or feet include peripheral cyanosis, central cyanosis, and Raynaud's syndrome.
💬 Communication skills are important for:
▪️maintaining healthy relationships
▪️engaging at school, in the workplace, and in the community
▪️advocating for oneself in a variety of settings
During our social skills groups for individuals with Down syndrome, we often discuss tips for having successful conversations such as being a good listener, taking turns talking, and staying on topic. Our Resource Library has a free visual that shares these and other tips. See the link below to access the visual.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/my-rules-for-conversations-visual/
04/08/2026
Atlantoaxial instability (AAI), also referred to atlantoaxial subluxation, is abnormal movement between the first and second vertebrae in the neck. AAI falls under the broader category of spondylolisthesis, which is a slippage of one vertebra over another. It can cause the spine or adjacent nerves to be compressed by the vertebrae, ligaments, or other tissues.
Atlantoaxial instability is more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. The recommendations for screening for atlantoaxial instability in people with Down syndrome have changed over time. In the past, X-rays were recommended for everyone with Down syndrome, even if they did not have symptoms or physical findings on exam of atlantoaxial instability. Now, screening is done through a good history and physical exam by a healthcare professional. X-rays or other tests may be recommended if a person with Down syndrome has symptoms or physical findings on exam of atlantoaxial instability.
📘Orientation Book: Resource for Supporting a Person with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, an individual can become very disoriented, even by things that were once familiar such as their daily routine, home, and favorite activities. An orientation book can be used to lessen confusion for people with Alzheimer's disease. Orientation books can be personalized with photos of the person's loved ones, staff, home, day program, schedule, preferred activities, comforting places, favorite memories, etc. Our Resource Library has a template that can be used to create orientation books. It is available for free at the link below.
🫁 Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs of one or both lungs. It is more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome are also more likely to have a severe case of pneumonia.
Symptoms may include:
▪ cough
▪ fever
▪ fatigue
▪ chest pain
▪ confusion
▪ shortness of breath
▪ low oxygen level
▪ and others
There are ways to prevent or reduce the risk of developing pneumonia. In the article linked below, Brian Chicoine, MD, provides more information about pneumonia in adults with Down syndrome including why it is more common, tips for preventing pneumonia, and treatments that may be recommended.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/pneumonia-in-people-with-ds/
04/05/2026
Incorporating shorter periods of physical activity throughout the day can be more manageable than doing longer periods of exercise all at one time. During our Healthy Lifestyles group for individuals with Down syndrome, we brainstorm ways to be more active such as:
🧘♀️ stretching when we wake up in the morning
🛗 taking the stairs instead of the elevator/escalator
💪🏾 doing jumping jacks, arm punches, or squats during commercial breaks
📱 setting reminders to take movement breaks
A ten-minute walk in the morning ➕ a three-song dance break in the afternoon ➕ a ten-minute yoga video in the evening 🟰 the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity for the day!
While many solid tumor cancers are less common in people with Down syndrome, testicular cancer is one type of solid tumor cancer that is more common in men with Down syndrome compared to men without Down syndrome. Testicular cancer is generally curable, especially if detected early, so the physicians at the Adult Down Syndrome Center recommend an annual exam by a healthcare professional to screen for testicular cancer.
Many individuals with Down syndrome and their families have shared with us that they often write or copy letters, words, and sentences repetitiously. Some examples we have heard include:
📝 writing the names of favorite superheroes,
📝 writing lines from movies,
📝 copying sentences from books, and
📝 writing various letters that do not form words
Constipation is very common in people with Down syndrome. Constipation is considered fewer than three bowel movements per week and/or having difficulty passing stool.
Some steps that can help treat and prevent constipation include:
🚰 Drinking plenty of fluids
🥦 Eating foods with fiber (e.g., vegetables, fruits, whole grains)
🦠 Eating foods with probiotics (e.g., yogurt, fermented foods)
⛹🏾♀️ Exercising regularly
If these steps do not resolve constipation, taking medications or supplements, such as fiber supplements or stool softeners, may be recommended.
Women's Health Resource Spotlight ➡ Stories About Period Symptoms
Our Resource Library has two visual stories about period symptoms for women with Down syndrome:
1️⃣ Overview of symptoms
This story talks about cramps, bloating, fatigue, strong emotions, and other things that a woman may experience shortly before or during her period.
2️⃣ How to manage symptoms
This story shares strategies for managing symptoms such as using a heating pad, exercising, eating healthy foods, getting good sleep, and others.
🧦 Compression socks (sometimes called compression stockings) are a type of tall socks that fit more snugly than typical socks and can be worn for a variety of purposes. They are often long socks that go up over the calf and fit snugly from the toes all the way up to the knee. Compression socks can be helpful for a variety of conditions including swelling of the feet and lower legs, varicose veins, venous insufficiency, and others.
Our Resource Library has an article on compression socks by Sarah Mann, PT, DPT, MBA, NSCA-CPT, from Mann Method PT and Fitness, PLLC, and Brian Chicoine, MD, from our clinic. It includes information about:
▪ When to wear compression socks
▪ What lengths and pressures are available
▪ Tips for finding compression socks that fit well
▪ And more!
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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).
