Whether you're seeing one adult with Down syndrome or many, CARE Down Syndrome gives you the knowledge and resources to deliver informed, respectful, and individualized care starting today.
As a healthcare professional, you’re dedicated to delivering informed, compassionate care. Yet when it comes to adult patients with Down syndrome, many professionals lack access to the specialized knowledge needed to navigate complex, co-occurring health conditions and evolving clinical guidelines.
According to a survey from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the greatest concern among adults with Down syndrome and their caregivers is the limited access to healthcare professionals trained in their unique medical needs. Only an estimated 5% of adults with Down syndrome in the U.S. have access to specialty Down syndrome clinics. That means 95% rely on you, their primary care professional.
To address this gap, NDSS created CARE (Clinical Awareness, Resources, and Education) Down Syndrome, a comprehensive initiative designed to equip healthcare professionals with tools that improve care, increase diagnostic confidence, and support better health outcomes for adults with Down syndrome.
Earn continuing medical education (CME) credits or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) contact hours while advancing your expertise in caring for adults with Down syndrome. Learn practical, evidence-based strategies for managing common health conditions, supporting healthy aging, and improving overall quality of life.
Explore clinically relevant articles and tools covering key topics including Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome Regression Disorder, and mental health. Earn CME credits or ANCC contact hours for each reference article reviewed by validating your participation within NDSS’ learning platform.
Access downloadable patient education materials and additional tools designed to support healthcare professionals in delivering exceptional care to adults with Down syndrome.
The CARE Down Syndrome initiative was made possible thanks to the collaboration of a dedicated group of contributors and healthcare professionals.
CARE Down Syndrome would not be possible without the generous contributions of the Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation.
Through collaboration with our partners, we’re advancing knowledge, access, and quality of care for people with Down syndrome.
CARE Down Syndrome has been reviewed and endorsed by the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA (DSMIG-USA) and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD).
Only an estimated 5% of adults with Down syndrome have access to a specialty clinic in the United States. The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) created the CARE (Clinical Awareness, Resources, and Education) Down Syndrome initiative to address this critical gap in healthcare for adults with Down syndrome. In 2023, an NDSS survey found that many adults with Down syndrome and their caregivers struggle to find clinicians who understand their unique medical needs. CARE Down Syndrome offers a central website with a self-paced eLearning course, peer-reviewed reference articles, and a comprehensive library of resources to help healthcare professionals provide informed, respectful, and effective care. The initiative’s goal is to improve healthcare quality for the adult Down syndrome community.
CARE Down Syndrome is designed for primary care professionals who support adults with Down syndrome, including family physicians, internists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Medical residents are also encouraged to explore our learning opportunities and resources.
You can earn free CME credits or ANCC contact hours by completing our main two-hour CARE Down Syndrome eLearning Course or any of our 17 topic-specific reference article courses. Each learning opportunity offers CME credit or ANCC contact hours, so you can earn even more by exploring multiple topics!
To get started, click the Register button at the top of your screen to access the content through our learning management system.
Be sure to complete the evaluation after each course to receive credit and validate your participation.
Yes! CARE Down Syndrome is a growing clinical education and resource hub. New content will be updated and added to reflect the latest research, address emerging topics, and respond to the needs of healthcare professionals and the Down syndrome community. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.
