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Mental wellness and good health in teensand adults with Down syndrome
Findings fromthe Adult Down Syndrome Center
www.advocatehealth.com/adultdown
Dennis McGuire Ph.D.,
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Multidisciplinary Clinic:Health & Mental Wellness
Since the Clinic opened in Jan 1992 We have seen over 5500 peopleOne stop shop - primary care Mental health care (1/3 of patients)
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Two Reasons for Our Success
1. Multi-disciplinary:
Far more successful in identifying
and treating problems
2. Work closely with families
n Repeatedly told us:Behavioral attributes
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Attributes Key to everything:,Strength or weakness
1. Expressive language
2. Self Talk
3. Social-emotional skills
4. Grooves
5. Visual Cues
Visual memory
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Behavioral attributes : Strengthor weakness
Strength
n Receptive languagen Self talk (Private
space)
n Social skills{Sensitive/responsive}
Serves in so many
positive waysFamily, friends, bosses)
Weakness
n Expressive languagenA social skill problem
(outside)
n **Highly sensitive tonegative feelings and
emotions
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KEY Behavioral attributes :Strength or weakness
Strength
n Groove (rely on setpatterns routines )
n Visual strength (show)n Photographic-like
memory
n **Replay memories,movies etc as if occurring
now (original feelings)
Weakness
n Can become stuck andunproductive (when stressed
nAuditory Deficit (tell them)n Good or bad (memory)n 1. Risk ofphobias and PTSDn 2. Preferred method of escap
{Bored or stressed}
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How to create an environmentwhere my child with DS will
have mental wellness?
v Because people with DS are highlysensitivity to feelings and emotions in
others
v They are affected by others emotions(even if not directed at them)
v Find environments that are positive
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Create mental wellness:RememberGrooves are
onboard equipment
v Introduce CHANGE carefully(whenever possible)
v Patience Patience Patiencev Dont push or rush peoplev Give control back to person with DS
(whenever possible)
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How to enhance health and well being:
Physical and nutritional health:
o Take advantage of these 2 attributes visualand the groove
o Visual: People love checklists andcalendars
Groove: People will have habits; Why notgood ones?
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Classic example :Visual lists can beespecially helpful to encourage independence
The list tells me what to do And not mom and dad
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How to get son or daughter to:
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Lists are also very powerful
Breakfast__ one egg
__ one toast
__ Cereal
__Juice
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How do I know something is
wrong ? 3 key ways
1. If they lose interest in things they love(eg., food, music, movies, dancing)
2. If they have more anger/ self criticismin theirself talk
3. If they have grooves that get stuck(a key vehicle for expressing stress)
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When I need to consult with amental health professional?
Most will nothave a multi-disciplinary clinic You can often patch together a teamo Look to good local agency serving people with IDs
& learn the name of an experienced social worker/
psychologist
o Who may also know a good psychiatristo Get a physical before going to a psychiatrist!o
Behaviorists can help (Have they raised their ownkids?)
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Loss of a loved one:Recommendations
o People may grieve differently (because ofphotographic visual memory)
o They tend to replay memories over and over:and be overcome with emotions each time
o Butit is in the moment not long lastingo When done, divert to something elseo If continuous: look for triggers (what sets off)
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Does social life and activitiesend after graduation?
o Many have social life far greater than youand I
o Special Olympicso Special recreationo If none in your community do a movie and
pizza night
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2. SEX
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Sex Ed is so much more thanSex
n Pride (Hygiene)n Learning appropriate
boundaries
n Predators > target theInnocent & uninformed
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3. Finally: The Pace
n People with Down syndrome have areputation for having two speeds:
SLOW
and SLOWER
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We can learn so much from people withDown syndrome