Mental Wellness In Adults With Down Syndrome

This thoroughly updated second edition of MENTAL WELLNESS IN ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME is upbeat and accessible in tone, yet encyclopedic in scope. The size of the book reflects both the breadth of the authors' knowledge--acquired as cofounders of the first medical clinic dedicated solely to the care of adults with Down syndrome--and the number of psychosocial issues and mental disorders that can affect people with Down syndrome. It's the go-to guide for parents, health practitioners, and caregivers who support teens and adults with Down syndrome. MENTAL WELLNESS emphasizes that understanding and appreciating both the strengths and challenges of people with Down syndrome is the key to promoting good mental health. It shows readers how to distinguish between bona fide mental health issues and common characteristics of Down syndrome--quirks or coping strategies. For example, although talking to oneself can be a sign of psychosis, many adults with Down syndrome use self-talk as an effective problem-solving strategy. The second edition includes new chapters on sensory issues (written by Dr. Katie Frank) and regression, expanded and now separate chapters on communication, concrete thinking, and visual memory, and an extensively updated chapter on Alzheimer's disease citing abundant new research. Other chapters cover a range of conditions and assessment and treatment options: What Is Normal? Self-Esteem & Self-Image Self-Talk Grooves & Flexibility Life-Span Issues Social Skills Mood & Anxiety Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Psychotic Disorders Eating Refusal Challenging Behavior Self-Injurious Behavior Autism Tics, Tourette Syndrome & Stereotypies While it's not inevitable that people with Down syndrome will experience mental health problems, certain biological differences and environmental stressors can create greater susceptibility. Assessment and treatment options are detailed for each condition. With this guide, caregivers will be able to foster good mental health and troubleshoot challenging mental health issues.

This book provides parents, mental health professionals, teachers, and caregivers the keys to understanding how to promote mental wellness and resolve psychosocial problems in people with Down syndrome. This book is written by the founding directors of the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. The authors draw on nearly 30 years of combined experience, treating more than 3000 adolescents and adults with Down syndrome aged 12 to 83. This book clarifies what the common behavioral characteristics of Down syndrome are, how some could be mistaken for mental illness, and what bona fide mental health problems occur more commonly in people with Down syndrome.

From the author of A Parents' Guide to Down Syndrome and Adolescents with Down Syndrome ? a essential new book on adulthood!;

Chosen as a Library Journal Best Consumer Health Books 2010; 2010 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Silver Award Winner, Health Category The authors of the bestselling Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome turn their attention to the physical health of teens and adults with Down syndrome. Drs. Chicoine and McGuire provide invaluable insight into what health problems are more common in their patients, and how medical issues can present differently in people with Down syndrome. In a clear, empathetic style, they discuss how to promote a healthy lifestyle to prevent problems, and how to recognize health problems early on to ensure appropriate care and the best outcome. The Guide to Good Health is a resourcefamilies and caregivers can refer to over and over again, whether it's to find strategies to get a teen or adult to cooperate with treatment, or to consider if a symptom is being misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Key topics include: Characteristics of Down syndrome that can affect health care; More commonly occurring medical issues; The connection between mental & physical health; Dealing with hospitalizations; Long term health and well being throughout the lifespan; Advance directives and end of life issues; Specific medical conditions (ranging from skin and nail problems, eye, nose and throat issues, and cardiac concerns, to thyroid disorder, diabetes, Alzheimer disease, and sleep problems) For each condition, the authors discuss symptoms, the diagnostic process, and treatment options. Real-life examples from the authors? decades of experience help to illustrate how some medical problems can mistakenly be attributed to characteristics of Down syndrome. As the average person with Down syndrome lives considerably longer than in previous generations, The Guide to Good Health can also help families know what to expect during the aging process.

Down syndrome is one of the most commonly occurring developmental disorders and it is now possible to conceptualize and define opportunities for neurocognitive rehabilitation for those with the condition. This book describes how early cognitive intervention in children with Down syndrome can be carried out, and can reduce, or compensate for, the major deficits characteristic of the condition. This comprehensive account relates the neurocognitive approach to the major therapeutic endeavors in the neighboring fields of neurogenetics, experimental environmental enrichment, molecular genetics, pharmacology, pediatrics and cardiology for infants with Down syndrome. Neurocognitive Rehabilitation of Down Syndrome provides the guidance required to establish effective rehabilitation programs, and is essential reading for developmental clinicians, pediatricians, neuropsychologists and other health professionals.

A useful practical guide for professionals, parents, teachers and other caregivers. It presents detailed assessment tools as well as consistent strategies for managing challenging behavior. Successful sensory integration techniques include ... advice for a wide range of specific problems ... for adapting home, school, and childcare environments ... [and] creative suggestions for activities, equipment, and resources.

"Life expectancy for adults with Down syndrome has dramatically increased over the last 100 years. Many people with Down syndrome are now living into their 60's and 70's. Further, there has been a marked social shift in people with Down syndrome no longer living in large impersonal institutions but now living in the community, often within their family homes or independently. Children are becoming literate and adolescents are acquiring professions and hobbies. This integration into society results in a higher quality of life. Many previously published textbooks have reviewed the medical and psychological conditions associated with Down syndrome. This book aims to highlight the more positive aspects of the life of people with Down syndrome. Fruitful examples, such as the Special Olympics, camping, arts, digital literacy and citizenship actions are included. The book presents early childhood interventions, transition of children to adults, experience with PALS programs, the role of positive behavior support and self-directed support, and finally optimal aging. The aim of this book is primarily to educate families, carers and professionals that people with Down syndrome can achieve excellent well-being in physical, mental and spiritual domains. One's ability to maximize their own well-being is a human right which also reduces risks and costs associated with mental illness. We hope this book highlights the importance for children and adults with Down syndrome to be seen as valued citizens of their community and allows their voices to be heard"--

This book brings together findings from research and clinical practice, with comprehensive coverage of the important aspects of mental health in ageing persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is crucial for professionals involved in the care of persons with all intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a broad understanding of the essential range of issues, and therefore this book provides a truly multi-disciplinary perspective, complete with many figures and illustrations to underline the key points. Undoubtedly, research and clinical practice are much more advanced in the general ageing population than in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and so professionals and academics must be made fully aware of commonalities and idiosyncrasies of older people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This book presents the ongoing developments concerning mental health and aging, which will become relevant to the intellectually disabled population. Through experience, this book also acknowledges that the impact on the persons themselves and on their carers always needs to be taken into account, with treatment programs established with a multi-faceted team approach in mind. Avoiding the jargon of many titles in this area while maintaining the hands-on approach of clinical practice, this book meshes the practical and scientific worlds, with all chapters written by leading experts in the field. Beyond the US, the IASSIDD support expands the book message worldwide.