All patients of the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA are recommended to see their primary care doctor regularly and their medical doctor within the DSC at least yearly, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The DSC is made up of a team of experts that specialize in the care of individuals with Down syndrome. Our multi-disciplinary team is made up of the following:
- Physicians.
- Psychologists.
- Nurses.
- Clinic Coordinators.
- Self-Advocates.
The medical care team may refer your child for a behavioral health evaluation for many reasons, including:
- Behavioral challenges: noncompliance, limit testing, tantrums, elopement, aggression, difficulty with transitions.
- Adaptive skills: toilet training, healthy sleep habits, feeding.
- Sensory concerns.
- Mood concerns such as anxiety or depression.
Outpatient behavioral health treatment involves working with the patient and family and can include:
- Parent behavioral management strategies and consultation.
- Consultation with members of the individual’s treatment team.
- Individualized behavioral interventions and psychoeducation.
- Communication.
- Social skills.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to improve mood.
- Safety.
- Educational advocacy.
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