HearthStone of WI

04/08/2026

Learn about the connection between pneumonia and Down Syndrome.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GxEqSwNie/

🫁 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/

04/08/2026

President Donald Trump wants to stop directing federal funds to the nation's university centers on developmental disabilities, multiple Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs and much more.

04/08/2026

Check out this resource for people who have both Down Syndrome and Alzheimers. If you don’t already know, people with DS develop Alzheimers at an earlier age than the general population.

📘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.

🔗 https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/resources/orientation-book-for-people-with-alzheimers-disease/

04/07/2026

AUCD is deeply concerned about the President’s FY27 budget proposal, which suggests cutting important programs that help people with disabilities. This includes programs like the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and Autism and Developmental Disabilities programs. These programs support research, help create policies, and provide services that families depend on. Cutting them would set us back many years.

‼️ AUCD is asking Congress to reject these cuts and continue to support programs that help improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

📢 It’s urgent that during the appropriations process, Congress acts save these essential programs!

View Statement: aucd.org/news/aucd-statement-presidents-fy27-budget



ID: Graphic showing the U.S. Capitol with a quote: “Congress must reject cuts that would destabilize critical programs and instead protect and strengthen the investments that people with disabilities and their families depend on.” Includes the AUCD (Association of University Centers on Disabilities) logo.

04/06/2026

A new executive order on mail ballots and related legislation in Congress put voters with disabilities at real risk of losing access to the ballot. Restrictions on mail ballots push people with disabilities further from the decisions that shape their lives. The answer is to remove barriers to voting, not add new ones.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14hmVoik68S/

04/06/2026

Voting rights for disabled people should not be a partisan issue, writes Naomi Hess.

04/06/2026

Interesting medical information about testicular cancer in people with Down Syndrome.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.

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.

Learn more in our Resource Library ➡ https://adscresources.advocatehealth.com/testicular-cancer/

04/05/2026

“What’s After High School?”🎓

This is a great opportunity to learn, explore your options, ask questions, and start planning next steps.

📅 Monday
⏰ 6:00 PM

Scan the QR code or click the link in the comments to register

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DWccxddvx/

It’s not too late—there’s still time to join us!

We’re excited for our upcoming Learning Session, “What’s After High School?”🎓

This is a great opportunity to learn, explore your options, ask questions, and start planning next steps.

📅 Monday
⏰ 6:00 PM

We’d love to have you there—join us!

Scan the QR code or click the link in the comments to register.

04/04/2026

Check our this free Zoom training focusing on self-advocacy for people with disabilities.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G8ocxwtrM/

This Wednesday, join us for a conversation with Kara Fortson, self-advocate and ADA & Accessibility Manager at the University of Missouri, as she shares her childhood experiences and details her ongoing fight for access to education, employment, and healthcare as an adult with cerebral palsy. She discusses how her self-advocacy skills have grown over time and how learning about the history of key figures in the disability rights movement gave her the strength to advocate for herself and others. We're looking forward to seeing you on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. CT on Zoom — register here to get the FREE webinar link: https://brnw.ch/21x1j2c

This presentation will explore key milestones in disability rights history, discuss the importance of self-advocacy from the perspective of an adult with a disability, and provide guidance on where to start with your child's advocacy skills.

04/04/2026

Learn about Down Syndrome Regression Syndrome

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LKMVts6Yx/

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/

04/04/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.

We recognize and honor people with autism, along with the families, friends, and caregivers who support them every day.

You are valued. You are loved. The MAHA community is stronger because of you.

04/04/2026

Today is Trans Day of Visibility. Trans Day of Visibility is a day for celebrating trans lives, trans joy, and trans resistance. ASAN will continue to fight back against attacks on trans rights and work towards a world in which trans autistic people are respected and included everywhere.