Down Syndrome

Every month, I meet my best friends for dinner where we get to catch up with each other. Then we go to Circle of Friends, a part of Kennedy Krieger's Brightside mentoring program, where we learn about friendship and how to socialize with other people. I am 25 years old, and I have Down syndrome, which means that I was born with 22 chromosomes instead of 21.

When Jeffery and Rebekah Fish found out that they were going to have a baby, they were understandably thrilled.

"Even before she was born, we sang to the baby," says Jeffery. "We named her ahead of time." They had big dreams for Laura, but they also wanted that most basic of things: a happy, healthy baby girl. That was not to be.

Jim Schuyler had a big decision to make last February. Diane Stegman, one of the Program Coordinators for the Therapeutic Family Care program, wanted to know whether he and his wife, Karen, could manage to care for one more child. That day, caseworkers from the Department of Social Services had removed Dante,* a 2-year-old boy with spina bifida, from a home where his needs could not be met.

Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute are investigating two experimental treatments that it is hoped will slow or stop the progress of Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome.

(Baltimore, MD) Kennedy Krieger Institute will be joining the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and others around the world in observing World Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2011. On this day, millions of patients and their families will share their stories to focus a spotlight on rare diseases as an important global public health concern.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

(Baltimore, MD) -Northrop Grumman will once again partner with the BWI Airport and other local sponsors to host the 24th Annual BWI Run/Walk, which benefits the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Down Syndrome Clinic. The family friendly event features two courses, a 5K Run and a 2-Mile Family Fun Walk, as well as a raffles and other activities for all ages. In addition to runner and school challenge awards, there will also be entertainment, food, beverages, and impressive prizes.

On Friday, June 25 patients, families and staff joined Dr. George Capone to celebrate 20 years of achievements of the Down Syndrome Clinic at Kennedy Krieger Institute. The event took place in the new Outpatient Center at 801 N. Broadway, overlooking the therapy garden. Guests listened as Dr. Capone, Institute President & CEO Dr. Gary Goldstein, patients and staff shared stories and offered thanks for the decades of dedication found among the attendees.

Update: 04/22/2009: Towson Times features local family's story to help raise money for autism research

Kennedy Krieger Research Update: Dr. Walter E. Kaufmann

In a continuation of his research looking at children with a co-diagnosis of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other well-known genetic disorders, Dr. Walter E. Kaufmann and colleagues recently published a study that examined the difference in brain structure between children with either Down syndrome alone and children with both Down syndrome and ASD. Dr.

MEDIA ALERT through April 9, 2005