AFCH Press Release
American Family Children’s Hospital and the UW Waisman Center have joined forces to open a multidisciplinary Down syndrome clinic. The Down Syndrome Clinic is the newest addition to the Waisman Center Clinics, operated in partnership with American Family Children’s Hospital, that provide comprehensive clinical care and support for children with disabilities and their families. Waisman Center medical director and UW Health developmental pediatrician Dr. Anna Dusick said the clinic is offered twice a month and will expand as demand grows for clinical care and support for infants and children with Down syndrome and for their families. Children from birth through 18 years of age can receive individualized care at the clinic.
“Families are looking for clinical expertise in Down syndrome that supplements, but does not replace, their primary care providers,” said Dusick, clinic director. “Parents want a clinical team that has experience with Down syndrome to keep their children physically healthy and maximize their developmental potential”
The Down syndrome clinic has a full range of expertise available, including developmental pediatricians, a geneticist, audiologist, genetic counselor, social worker, speech pathologist, family care coordinator, nutritionist, psychologist, and physical therapist.
“Down syndrome can affect many systems in the body,” said Dusick. “The children seen at our clinic have been diagnosed already, and their needs can vary significantly from child to child. That’s why it’s critical to provide expertise to address a variety of issues.”
Dusick says clinic staff often can anticipate health and developmental concerns and collaborate with other health professionals to support the patient and family.
Patients do not need a referral to be seen at the clinic. They can call (608) 263-3301 to schedule an appointment.