Down Syndrome Center Podcast

Dr. Lucy Lubinski is a Sleep Psychologist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.  She joined the podcast today to discuss common sleep related issues in pediatrics and approaches to management. Pediatric Sleep Council https://www.babysleep.com If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would like to partner wit...

Rebecca Emerson and Austin Carrigg joined the podcast to talk about Exceptional Families of the Military, a 501 c(3) non-profit that helps families who are enrolled in the Department of Defense Exceptional Family Member Program.  They discussed what to do when a diagnosis of Down syndrome is received while in the military and available supports and resources available to those families. Exceptiona...

John and Mark Cronin joined the podcast today to talk about their world famous sock store called John's Crazy Socks.  Listen to the podcast to find out why their mission is about something so much greater than "just socks."   For more information about John's Crazy Socks (and to buy your own!), visit: https://johnscrazysocks.com   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast...

Dr. Vibha Singhal, pediatric endocrinologist, and Dr. Kellen Hayes, bariatric surgeon, joined the podcast to give their thoughts on the latest buzz around weight loss medications and bariatric surgeries.  They also give their thoughts specifically on these treatments/management strategies for people with Down syndrome. If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please sen...

NDSC Board Member and Self-Advocate Craig Blackburn joined the podcast to share about the amazing work that he is doing.  He and his mother Pat Ehrle shared about their experiences and what World Down Syndrome Day means to them.

Dr. Joaquin Espinosa is the Executive Director of the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome at the University of Colorado.  He joins the podcast today to discuss his research on inflammation in Down syndrome and how modifications in the immune system can potentially be used in treatment of common disease conditions seen in people with Down syndrome. To learn more about the Human Trisome Project,...

Terri Couwenhoven is known internationally for her work as a sex educator specializing in creating programs and resources for people who have intellectual disabilities, their famlies, and the professionals who support them.  She rejoined the podcast this week to talk about dating and Down syndrome.     For more information on Terri, her amazing resources, book her as a speaker for your group, go t...

Terri Couwenhoven is known internationally for her work as a sex educator specializing in creating programs and resources for people who have intellectual disabilities, their famlies, and the professionals who support them.  She has been on the podcast before but joins us again to today for updates on the topic of sexuality and Down syndrome.     For more information on Terri, her amazing resource...

Dr. Heather Porter from Boys Town Research Hospital joined the podcast to discuss hearing health in Down syndrome.  This is part 2 of the 2 part podcast. https://www.boystownhospital.org/services/ear-nose-throat/pediatric-hearing-clinic   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would like to partner with th...

Dr. Heather Porter from Boys Town Research Hospital joined the podcast to discuss hearing health in Down syndrome.  This is part 1 of a 2 part series. https://www.boystownhospital.org/services/ear-nose-throat/pediatric-hearing-clinic   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would like to partner with the D...

Dr. Seth Keller concludes our discussion on dementia in Down syndrome with part 2 of this podcast. If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit   https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter . Thank you to "Caring for Kid...

Dr. Seth Keller joined the podcast to share his insights into dementia and Down syndrome.  This is part 1 of a 2 part podcast. If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit   https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter ....

Listen as Dr. Vellody reflects on the history of this podcast, the history of the Down Syndrome Center, and looks towards the future for both!  To learn more about the Down Syndrome Center, you can visit https://www.chp.edu/our-services/down-syndrome .   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would like to...

Speech language pathologist Heather Vukelich joined the podcast today to inform us about TalkTools and techniques to address feeding and speech clarity in people with Down syndrome.     Websites/Resources www.talktools.com www.happykidstherapy.com   www.happykidstherapy.com/feeding-class   https://www.instagram.com/happykidstherapy/   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the pod...

Nancy Gianni, Founder and Chief Belief Officer of Gigi's Playhouse, joined the podcast as part of our "Meet The Nationals" series.  Gigi's Playhouse provides free educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, through a replicable playhouse model.  Their mission and purpose is to change the way the world views...

Rabbi Mordy Rudolph joined the podcast to discuss the Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh.   This amazing organization was established in 2006 with the intention of creating a more inclusive community. It is a community-based program that brings together people of diverse abilities and interests.  Information on the local chapter in Squirrel Hill PA can be found: https://www.fcpgh.org   If you would l...

Kelli Caughman and Crystal Lotterberry, founders of the Black Down Syndrome Association joined the podcast today to share their stories and how they led to the creation of this fantastic organization.  For more information, go to https://www.blackdownsyndrome.org/ . Co Founders Kelli. Caughman@blackdownsyndrome.org   Crystal. Lotterberry@blackdownsyndrome.org   General : info@blackdownsyndrome.org...

Dr. Brian Chicoine and Dr. Hannah Graham from the Adult Down Syndrome Center with Advocate Health Care in Park Ridge, Illinois joined the podcast today to discuss a listener question on menopause in Down syndrome.  While I had these experts on the podcast, we also discussed other aging related topics in Down syndrome. For more information on the Adult Down Syndrome Center, go to: https://www.advoc...

LaTaasha Byrd joined the podcast today to answer listener questions about homeschooling.  Is homeschooling a legitimate option for children with Down syndrome.  If so, what are some important considerations that may be unique in this population? Countdown to K https://countdowntok.com Countdown Academy https://countdown-academy.teachable.com Inclusion is for the Included Book https://countdowntoks...

Gary Cimaglia, Special Olympics North America's Vice President of Sports, joined the podcast today to give a broad overview of the Special Olympics and how you and your loved ones can be involved.  For more information, go to https://www.specialolympics.org .   If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to   DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu . If you would...

Down Syndrome Regression Disorder (formerly called Unexplained Regression in Down Syndrome or Down Syndrome Disintegrative Disorder) is a diagnosis that has previously been missed or misdiagnosed in people with Down syndrome.  It is a topic in high interest amongst researchers in the field, including today's podcast guest Dr. Jon Santoro from Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.  Dr. Santoro gave u...

Dr. Katie Frank from the Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge, IL joined the podcast to answer listener questions regarding sound sensitivity, toothbrushing, haircuts, and nail trims.  So many people with Down syndrome have sensory difficulties with these tasks and Dr. Frank helped explain her approach to these situations. For fantastic caregiver resources on these types of topics, go to: http...

The official pandemic status may be gone, but COVID still lingers.  Listen as Dr. Andy Nowalk shares with us the latest updates on COVID, including the upcoming COVID vaccine boosters.

How do we help people with Down syndrome during times of grief and grieving?  Dr. Rose Reif, LCMHC, CRC, BC-TMH and owner of Reif Counseling Services, PLLC joined the podcast today to discuss her perspective. For more information on Dr. Reif, go to https://rosereif.com/about/ . For more information on this topic, check out Dr. Reif's book https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Child-syndrome-Understand-De...

Dr. Stacy Taylor, with Advance Behavior and Analysis, is an expert in behavioral analysis and special interest in patients with Down syndrome, joined the podcast to discuss her approach to behavioral questions that we received from you!  We discussed inappropriate word usage, dumping behaviors, and scripting among other topics.   For more information on Dr. Taylor's practice, including potentially...