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/
01/12/2026
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a liver condition that used to be referred to as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or fatty liver disease. MASLD is a liver condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver.
MASLD is more common in people with Down syndrome, possibly because of differences in metabolic function in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. Additionally, some of the conditions (such as obesity) that increase the risk of MASLD are more common in people with Down syndrome. There are lifestyle choices that can reduce the risk of MASLD and treat MASLD.
What is the difference between calming and coping strategies?
Calming strategies are things we can do to manage feelings in the moment. For example, if we are having a disagreement with another person, you might take deep breaths to help yourself calm down.
Coping strategies are things we can do along with calming strategies to manage feelings that last a longer period of time. For example, if you are still feeling unsettled hours or even days after the disagreement, you might talk about your feelings with a trusted person or reframe your thoughts about the situation.
Our Resource Library has a visual handout about calming and coping strategies. It is available for free at the link below.
A new podcast called "Aging with Down Syndrome" was launched at the end of 2025. It is hosted by Jadene, Kristin, and Molly who have loved ones with Down syndrome. They share their experiences and insights from caring for and supporting their loved ones.
The second episode features Brian Chicoine, MD, the Medical Director of our Adult Down Syndrome Center. He shares information about common health issues that individuals with Down syndrome may experience as they get older.
💊 Managing medications can be challenging for people with and without Down syndrome. With the appropriate tools and support, people with Down syndrome can become more independent or completely independent in managing their medications.
Some individuals with Down syndrome we see at our clinic who need to take a medication on an empty stomach put a cup of water and the medication on their bedside table before going to bed so they remember to take the medication right when they wake up in the morning. There are other strategies and supports that can help, including "lower tech" options such as pill boxes and visual schedules and "higher tech" options such as smartphone apps, alarms, and automatic pill dispensers.
Boundaries are an important social skills topic. In our groups for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, we discuss three types of boundaries:
1️⃣ personal boundaries - personal space and types of touch we are comfortable with
2️⃣ social boundaries - how much we talk, text, and hang out with someone and what we talk about
3️⃣ environmental boundaries - respecting the belongings of others and the spaces and property we interact with throughout the day
We also learn and practice how to set and respect boundaries. Our Resource Library has a free visual on this topic. While this resource was developed for individuals with Down syndrome, it is a great reminder for all of us! Access it for free at the link below.
❄️🌡Resource Spotlight: Choosing Clothing for Cold vs. Warm Weather Visual🌡☀
Our Resource Library has several visuals about selecting clothing and getting dressed. Today, we are spotlighting our visual about clothing items that are appropriate to wear based on the outside temperature. Access it for free at the link below!
Celiac disease is a sensitivity to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac disease is more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. Possible symptoms include:
▪️loose stools,
▪️constipation,
▪️abdominal discomfort,
▪️changes in mood or behavior,
▪️vitamin B12 deficiency, fatigue, and
▪️itchy rash
Celiac disease is treated by following a gluten-free diet. Check out the article linked below to learn more about celiac disease in people with Down syndrome and find resources about gluten-free diets.
🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/celiac-disease/
01/05/2026
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when a person experiences something extremely distressing and then develops symptoms such as vivid memories of the trauma, anxiety, depression, and intense avoidance of the event/place/person associated with the trauma.
Diagnosing and treating PTSD in a person with Down syndrome can be difficult because the person may not be able to describe the traumatic event. However, traumatic events certainly can and do affect people with Down syndrome. Treatment can be successful even without a clear history of the trauma.
👂🏾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.
💪 Being active helps us be strong, healthy, and happy! While playing sports and going to the gym are good options for some people, others might prefer to be active by going for walks, doing chores around the house, or having a dance party.
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 share tips for increasing daily physical activity and describe ways to make exercising more fun.
Thank you to Avenues to Independence for providing a filming location and assisting with coordination and filming of the video!
01/02/2026
Thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Hashimoto's disease, are more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome, with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) being the most common. About 40% of the adolescents and adults with Down syndrome we have seen at our clinic have hypothyroidism.
People with Down syndrome can develop hypothyroidism at any time of life. Many of the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (such as dry skin, constipation, and lower heart rate) are common in people with Down syndrome even when they do not have hypothyroidism, so regular thyroid testing is recommended. Screening for hypothyroidism is done with a blood test.
Are you making New Year's resolutions for 2026? While we encourage individuals with Down syndrome to work on healthy habits throughout the year, it can be helpful to pair changes and start a new habit as the new year begins. 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.
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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).
