Angela Stout, DMD, a pediatric dentist, answers questions about when children with Down syndrome should go to the dentist, common dental problems, and how to encourage proper dental hygiene.

Self-talk in adults with Down syndrome can be a powerful coping mechanism, and is generally not a reason for concern. To learn more about the health and psychosocial needs of adults with Down syndrome, contact the Adult Down Syndrome Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

CHOP earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families. 

Like all children, children with Down syndrome are going to present caregivers with challenging behaviors, and they require both clear expectations about “good” behavior and appropriate limit-setting on unacceptable behavior. Your approach will depend on your child’s age, ability, temperament and where the challenging behaviors occur.

In a world with ever-advancing technology, handwriting could easily be pushed aside as a less than-important skill, especially if it proves challenging to a child, as is often the case for children with trisomy 21. But technology can also help children gain fine motor skills and increase their independence.

Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are studying lipids levels — such as cholesterol and triglycerides — on individuals with Down syndrome (trisomy 21). The Lipid Heart Clinic helps monitor patients who may be predisposed to early heart attack and stroke.

Helen Milligan, MPT, physical therapist with the Trisomy 21 Program, describes how to teach children with Down syndrome to walk up and down stairs, and how to overcome stair issues with school.

Life expectancy for a child with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) has increased dramatically in the past 50 years as cardiac surgery and post-surgical care have improved. Today, clinicians have guidelines to help identify, understand and address relevant medical issues.

Refusal behaviors need to be interpreted differently in individuals with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Often, these behaviors signal frustration or lack of understanding and can provide important clues about how to best assist the individual's development.

CHOP and Penn Medicine experts are refining their diagnostic tools to predict which patients are more likely to respond to drugs called ALK inhibitors that target such mutations, setting the stage for a phase 3 clinical trial.