Crisis Prevention Summit brings providers together to strengthen support
Every year, the Collaborative Stabilization Coalition (CSC) of Greater Dane County gathers care providers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or dementia for the Crisis Prevention Summit, a space to learn about how to help prevent or respond to a crisis. This year’s summit took place on March 23 at the Alliant Energy Center.
July 8, 2026
Changes in walking patterns could be an important new screening tool for Alzheimer’s in individuals with Down syndrome
Individuals with Down syndrome have a 90% lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
June 4, 2026
Earliest signs of neurodegeneration in Down syndrome detected shortly after birth, new Waisman study shows
Signs of neurodegeneration in individuals with Down syndrome may start as early as birth, a critical stage of brain development, a new study shows. The research, from investigators at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides an atlas of early brain development in Down syndrome that could inform potential targeted treatments to address the developmental and degenerative aspects of the condition.
April 24, 2026
Developmental markers have the potential to make diagnosing autism in individuals with Down syndrome easier
Down syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition caused by a triplicated 21st chromosome, often presents with co-occurring developmental conditions such as autism. But diagnosing autism in someone with Down syndrome can be difficult as they have overlapping symptoms.
March 13, 2026
Early adversity strongly predicts adult mental health challenges in people with Down syndrome, new study finds
A new Waisman study found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to household challenges—can have lasting effects on adults with Down syndrome, including their mental health and ability to cope with life changes. While ACES are known to impact the general population, this research is among the first to show similar—and in some cases heightened—effects in individuals with Down syndrome.
January 15, 2026
Wisconsin LEND trainees visit state legislators to share their personal stories and educate about the impact of Medicaid on Wisconsinites with disabilities
The Wisconsin LEND Program prepares individuals with disabilities to engage in policy discussions, giving them the tools and confidence to make their voices heard.
July 15, 2025
Health trajectory of mothers of children with developmental disabilities shows a ‘wear-and-tear’ effect starting around age 65
Mothers of children with developmental disabilities experience long-term stress, adapting for many years but showing signs of ‘wear-and-tear’ starting around age 65, affecting their physical and mental health.
June 5, 2025
Statewide success: Managing threatening confrontations training enhances disability support for thousands
It focuses on teaching proactive and positive strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities through a broad range of behaviors and escalation levels.
April 8, 2025
New insights into language development: The role of joint attention in kids with Down syndrome and autism
Attention is a key component of learning. Think of how hard it is to learn someone’s name if all you can think about is the eyelash on their cheek. The same can be said for language learning.
March 25, 2025
A family’s commitment to Down syndrome research at the Waisman Center spans four decades and counting
When Heather Huismann was in middle school she called the police on her teacher. “He was not teaching me very well,” Heather says.
March 17, 2025
What research has revealed about Down syndrome’s influence on brain development
A new review paper published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience from Bhattacharyya, associate professor of cell and regenerative biology, pulls together what is currently known about DS’s impact on brain development.
February 13, 2025
Hearing loss and cognition both play a role in speech recognition for young adults with Down syndrome
For young adults with Down syndrome, understanding speech is not only related to hearing abilities, but it may also be impacted by cognition.
December 4, 2024
NIH establishes $20 million program to study Down syndrome from birth to adulthood
Researchers at the Waisman Center are included in a recently launched a new long-term study to observe and track health data of people with Down syndrome from birth to adulthood
October 24, 2024
Sigan Hartley, research team receive $9 million National Institutes of Health grant to study Down syndrome
Sigan Hartley, 100 Women Distinguished Chair in Human Ecology and Human Development & Family Studies professor, and a team of researchers have received a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
October 24, 2024
Waisman Center IDDRC funds three pilot projects on novel Down syndrome research
Three Waisman Center investigators and affiliates were awarded an internal grant to support Down syndrome research in its early stages. The funds were made possible through the Ann Dewey Down Syndrome Catalyst Fund at the Waisman Center.
August 1, 2024- More Down Syndrome posts
Advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.