Dr. J. Harold Helderman
Down syndrome clinic opens today
A new clinic specializing in the treatment and care of children with Down syndrome will open this month at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center.
A team of Vanderbilt professionals, specializing in the care and treatment of individuals with Down syndrome, will provide broad, multi-specialty care to increase availability and efficiency for patients and families, said Dr. Arnold W. Strauss, James C. Overall Professor and Chair of Pediatrics and director of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
“The clinic is in response to community requests, and our organization is glad to be working closely with Vanderbilt on this initiative, “ said Sheila Moore, executive director of Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee.
A multidisciplinary team will convene to offer each patient a customized plan, explained Dr. Robert Van Dervoort, assistant professor of Pediatrics.
“A referral from the primary care provider, as well as a close communication with the patient’s primary care provider, will ensure integration of specialty care with the ongoing health care and education goals of each patient,” VanDervoort said.
Specialties involved include genetics, cardiology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, neurology, hematology/oncology, developmental pediatrics, orthopedics, psychology and special educators. In addition, the program will assist patients in finding other services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, nutrition counseling, educational/behavior counseling and audiology.
The Child Development Center and John F. Kennedy Center at Vanderbilt University are collaborating with Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in the development of this program.
The Down Syndrome Clinic will meet on selected Friday afternoons in the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center, fifth floor, Suite B, Medical Center East. For more information call 343-3696(DOWN) or 1-866-900-3696.