Down Syndrome Program

The Mass General Hospital Down Syndrome Program integrates state-of-the-art resources with compassionate, comprehensive care through a multi-disciplinary approach. National experts from Massachusetts General Hospital, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary are ready to help your family member with any medical issue that may occur.

Our Down Syndrome Program has five distinct clinical services to ensure that people with Down syndrome receive the specialty care that is specific for their age group:

• Prenatal Services We offer consultations in a private setting for expectant parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
• Infant and Toddler Clinic (ages birth-5) Families will be educated about Down syndrome and comprehensive supports will be provided for their child’s early needs.
• Child Clinic (ages 5-13) The healthcare of children will be maximized so that they can achieve successes during school-aged years.
• Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic (ages 13-21) Families and youth will be supported and educated about transition planning. The goal is for your child to be prepared for adulthood and as engaged in their care as possible.
• Adult Clinic (ages 21 and older) Adults will be supported to lead healthy lives marked by meaningful engagements with their communities.

What will the appointment entail?

Each specific age group will have specialists available for that day that will meet the unique health care needs of individuals with Down syndrome for that specific age group.

How to Request an Appointment

To request an appointment, please first complete an intake form.

Team Members and Program Overview

Download our program overview and information about our team members in PDF format:

Spanish (pdf) | Traditional Chinese (pdf) | Simplified Chinese (pdf)

Mission Statement

We are a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, serving people with Down syndrome of all ages and their families. We provide evidence-based clinical care, education, and cutting-edge research so that individuals with Down syndrome can reach their full potential.

Vision Statement

Our passion is to provide healthcare, research, and education that contribute to a world in which all people with Down syndrome are accepted, celebrated and have the opportunity to fully realize their potential.

On the day of your clinic, you will not see all of the providers listed below but the appropriate ones for your age range.

Program Physicians

• Brian G. Skotko, MD, MPP
• Jose Florez, MD, PhD
• Nicolas Oreskovic, MD, MPH
• Stephanie Santoro, MD

Administration

• Amy Torres, Program Manager
• Barbara Mawn, Administrative Assistant

Self-Advocate Resource Specialist

• Ben Majewski

Social Worker

• Clorinda Cottrell, MSW, LICSW

Advocacy Advisor

• Helen Weiner, MSW, LICSW

Nutritionist

• Dominica Nichols, PhD, RD, LDN

Therapy Team

• Diana Brenner-Miller, MS, CCC-SLP
• Patricia Anne Chastain, PT, DPT, PCS
• Christina Cossa, MS, OTR/L
• Joy Huebner, PT, DPT
• Jen Maietta, CCC-SLP
• Sharon P. Serinsky, MS, OTR/L
• Michele Psillos Donlon, MS, CCC-SLP
• Casey E. Vandale, PT, DPT
• Amanda Copeland, MS, CCC-SLP

Pediatric Feeding Program

• Meet the Team

Psychiatrist

• Michelle L. Palumbo, MD

Psychologists

• Julie Grieco, PsyD
• Margaret Pulsifer, PhD
• Karen J. (Kay) Seligsohn, PhD
• Cynthia Moore, PhD

Educational Advocate

• Gretchen Timmel, MEd

Additionally, we can facilitate referrals for other services, including Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, and others.

Patient Handouts

• Click here to view patient handouts from the Down Syndrome Program at MGHfC and Mass General.

Resources for Expectant Parents

• Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis
  A booklet of information for expectant couples who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and have not yet made a pregnancy decision.
• Diagnosis to Delivery: A Pregnant Mother’s Guide to Down Syndrome
  A booklet of information for expectant couples who are preparing for the birth of their baby with Down syndrome.
• Your Loved One is Having a Baby with Down Syndrome
  A booklet for expectant parents to give to family, friends, and co-workers, explaining Down syndrome.
• MDSC’s First Call Program
  A volunteer, state-wide group of trained parent mentors available 24/7 to listen, share, answer questions, and provide valuable information.

Resources for Families Coping with a Miscarriage or a Loss

• Coping with Loss: Down Syndrome
  A book that offers support to families who have experienced a miscarriage or lost a baby or child with Down syndrome

Resources for New Parents

• Welcoming a Newborn with Down Syndrome: A New Parent’s Guide to the First Month
  A book offering support and accurate, reliable information on everything parents need to know for that first month.
• MDSC’s First Call Program
  A volunteer, state-wide group of trained parent mentors available 24/7 to listen, share, answer questions, and provide valuable information

Disability Organizations

Local Organizations

• Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC)
• Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

National Organizations

• The Arc
• Best Buddies
• Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation
• LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
• Special Olympics

Outpatient Care of Patients with Down Syndrome for Med Students

Directed by Down Syndrome Program co-director Alison Schwartz, MD, this Harvard Medical School course is intended to provide advanced medical students with an exposure to the care of patients with Down syndrome across the age spectrum. People with Down syndrome typically have a number of health needs that arise from their chromosomal condition, which alters the screening tests and milestones that must be considered in the course of a regular clinic visit. Learn more.

Newborn with Down Syndrome Medical Work-up

Our Newborn with Down Syndrome Medical Work-up (pdf) includes a checklist to help you plan the health screenings and resources that are recommended for babies with Down syndrome.

Vaccine Being Tested To Prevent Dementia In People With Down Syndrome - 8/9/2018, Mass General
Brian Skotko, MD, MPP discusses an experimental vaccine that may not only prevent Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome, but in those without Down syndrome as well with CBS Boston.

Clinical trial could give answers to potential link between Down syndrome, Alzheimer's - 8/6/2018, Mass General 
video report features MGHfC physician Brian Skotko

Will people with Down syndrome unlock the mystery of Alzheimer's disease? - 6/22/2018, Mass General 
ABC News reports on a new study that could unlock the cause of Alzheimer's disease. 

Their Voice: Why we must embrace, not eliminate, Down syndrome - 11/4/2017, Mass General
Daily Herald article segment quotes MGHfC physician Brian Skotko, MD, MPP.

Medical geneticist talks prenatal testing for Down syndrome - 10/5/2017, Mass General
Brian Skotko, MD, MPP delivered the annual Simpson College McBride Lecture focusing on the rise of prenatal testing.

What is Down syndrome? - 10/24/2017, Mass General
Brains On!, a podcast of Minnesota Public Radio teaches kids about Down syndrome by interviewing Brian Skotko, MD, MPP.

Down Syndrome Prevalence On The Rise - 8/31/2017, Mass General
As people with Down syndrome live longer, a new analysis led by Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, suggests that this population is growing, but that may not hold true for long.

Urine test used to diagnose sleep apnea in Down syndrome children - 4/6/2017, Mass General
An MGH study may have found a way to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea via a urine test.

MGH doctor working to dispel Down syndrome myths - 2/22/2017, Mass General
FOX25 segment profiles the work of Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, who is dedicated to bringing Down syndrome knowledge and literature up to date.

New study examines medical cost of caring for Down syndrome child - 2/7/2017, Mass General
A new study led by Brian Skotko, MD, MPP takes a closer look at the financial impact of raising a child with Down syndrome.

The Pulse: People With Down Syndrome Living Longer, But At Higher Risk For Alzheimer's - 1/26/2017, Mass General
National Public Radio radio segment explains how and why the Down syndrome population is at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

The aging of the population with Down syndrome is a positive sign - 1/4/2017, Mass General
Individuals with Down syndrome and their families can expect a lifetime of possibilities and potentials, explains Dr. Brian Skotko, MD, MPP.