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The Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Health℠ is a specialty clinic designed to provide comprehensive medical care, with a primary focus on behavioral health needs, to children with Down syndrome. A team of providers from different disciplines come together to provide a variety of services, often within one visit. Providers include a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics fellow, Developmental Nurse Practitioner, Geneticist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genetic Counselor, and Social Worker.
Ph: 214-456-2357
Fax: 214-456-2567
Request an Appointment with codes: Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a medical condition that occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia and thyroid conditions.
A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays ranging from mild to significant. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual, so behavior, mental ability and physical development varies from person to person.
Down Syndrome Clinic services include:
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition, occurring in one of every 691 babies in the United States. There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the U.S., and it occurs in people of all races and economic levels.
The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. Younger women are more fertile, however, so 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35.
There are three types of Down syndrome:
There is no way that parents can cause or prevent the occurrence of Down syndrome.
There is no cure for Down syndrome; however, many of the associated health problems are treatable, and many people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades – from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.
Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
People with Down syndrome attend school, work, play sports, have friends, make decisions for themselves and contribute to society in many ways.
We currently see patients on Monday and Thursday mornings, as well as Friday mornings and afternoons. The Transition Down Syndrome Clinic meets on the second and fourth Thursday morning of the month. This schedule is subject to change.
Children’s Health Specialty Center Dallas Campus, Clinic F-4200, fourth floor. Visit this page for specific driving directions and parking information.
You will need to plan to be at clinic at least three hours for the first visit to meet with all available professionals (medical provider, social worker, genetic counselor and parent volunteer). Feel free to bring snacks and toys to clinic to entertain your child.
We understand that unexpected things can happen, but please make every effort to be on time to your appointment. If you know you are going to be late, please call and let us know at 214-456-2357. Since other families need to see the same providers, showing up more than 20 minutes late may require the appointment to be rescheduled.
Please call the Genetics schedulers at 214-456-2357 to make an appointment. If your child is a new patient, we ask that you or your doctor provide medical records from the providers outside of the Children’s Health system, including visit notes from your child’s primary care doctor and any specialists your child may be seeing. A copy of genetic testing results and insurance information is also needed.
Advanced Practice Providers and Physicians
Gather medical history information, do physical exams, make referrals, order lab tests, complete forms, write letters to primary health care providers to summarize the visit
Social Worker
Provides information regarding community resources, short term counseling about developmental concerns, school needs issues, sibling and family adjustment issues, and behavior management
Genetic Counselors
Discuss chromosomes and genetic recurrence risk, gather family history information, answer questions about inheritance
DS Guild Parent Representatives
Provide information about parent support groups, local activities, answer questions from a parent’s point-of-view
National Organizations
Navigate Life Texas
Local Support Groups
Special Olympics