California Down Syndrome Medical Care Centers


There are currently 7 Down syndrome medical care centers in California:


Down Syndrome Neurology and Neuroimmunology Program, Los Angeles

Affiliation: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Keck School of Medicine of USC
Summary: Individuals with Down syndrome are at high risk for a variety of neurologic conditions including developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, moyamoya disease, stroke, Down Syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD) and epilepsy. Our clinic provides neurologic and neuroimmunologic care for individuals with these conditions.
Ages Served: Birth – 40 years
Hours and Days of Operation: 0800-1700 PST Tuesday and Wednesday
Address: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Website: Down Syndrome Neurology Program | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (chla.org)
Appointments: Phone: 888-631-2452
Fax: 323-361-8988
Phone Number: 323-361-2471
Clinical Director: Jonathan D. Santoro, MD (Jonathan D. Santoro, MD | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (chla.org))
Services provided: EEG, MRI, Lumbar Puncture, Genetic Testing, Immunologic Blood Work and Phenotyping
Behavioral MD
Psychologist
Registered Dietician
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Genetic Counselor
Feeding Specialist
Developmental Pediatrician
Year Established: 2019
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: 500
Length of Waitlist: 2-3 months, urgent appointments available
Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes

The Center for Down Syndrome at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA

Affiliation: Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Summary: The Center for Down Syndrome at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital helps each child with Down syndrome reach his or her full potential and function as independently as possible in all aspects of school and family life. Packard Children’s is one of the few children’s hospitals in the nation to offer these much needed services to children.
Ages Served: Birth- Age 18
Hours and Days of Operation: 2 Fridays a month, 1-5 p.m.
Address: 730 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Website: http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/service/down-syndrome
Appointments: 650-721-5804
Phone Number: 650-721-5804
Clinical Director: Melanie Ann Manning, MD
Services provided:
Behavioral MD
Psychologist
Registered Dietician
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Genetic Counselor
Feeding Specialist
Developmental Pediatrician
Year Established: 2006
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: Approximately 120
Length of Waitlist: 6-7 months
Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes

Charlie’s Clinic at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA

Affiliation: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Summary: The Down Syndrome Clinic at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland is the only Down syndrome clinic in the East Bay. Its multidisciplinary team offers comprehensive services for children and adolescents with Down syndrome. The clinic provides medical and developmental services. A team experienced in the care of children with Down syndrome thoroughly reviews each child’s medical history, informed by the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Each visit also focuses on development, educational progress, behavioral concerns, and independence with activities of daily living.
Ages Served: Birth- Age 21
Hours and Days of Operation: Charlie’s Clinic takes place Monday afternoon. We can sometimes
accommodate other days/times.
Address: 5220 Claremont Ave Oakland CA 94618
Website: www.charliesclinic.org
Email: noemi.spinazzi@ucsf.edu
Appointments: Please have PMD refer to Down Syndrome Clinic at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. Call 510-428-3301
Clinical Director: Noemi Spinazzi, MD
Services provided:
Behavioral MD
Psychologist
Registered Dietician
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Genetic Counselor
Feeding Specialist
Pediatrician
Other Services Provided: Our Physical Therapist is also an infant development specialist
Year Established: 2016
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: 200-300 visits yearly
Length of Waitlist: 2-3 months. Newborns will be seen faster
Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes, except for Kaiser insurance

CHOC Neuroscience Institute’s Down Syndrome Program, Orange, CA

Affiliation: CHOC Children’s, Orange, CA
Summary: The mission of the CHOC Children’s Down Syndrome Program is to support families and primary care pediatricians in optimizing the health care of children with Down syndrome in the Southern California Region. Comprehensive medical assessment of children with Down syndrome from birth to age 18 years. Continuing follow-up care (to be assessed and coordinated with primary care physicians and families based on individual needs). Referrals as required to other sub-specialists and ancillary services. Coordinated care for each patient will be managed by our staff
Ages Served: Birth- Age 18
Hours and Days of Operation: Wednesday afternoons from 1-5 pm
Address: CHOC Children’s – 455 S. Main St. Orange, CA 92868
Email: downsyndrome@choc.org
Appointments: 888-770-2462
Phone Number: 714-509-3609
Clinical Director: Dr. Ira T. Lott and Dr. Anne Tournay
Services provided:
Behavioral MD
Psychologist
Registered Dietician
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Genetic Counselor
Feeding Specialist
Developmental Pediatrician
Year Established: 2009
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: 150-200
Length of Waitlist:

Average wait time for a new patient appointment is 2-3 months though urgent referrals are available

Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes

Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego Down Syndrome Center, San Diego

Affiliation: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, Down Syndrome Action parent group
Summary: Mission: To improve the quality of life for children with Down syndrome and their families by offering coordinated assessments, connections to resources, education, and advocacy. At clinic, we combine implementation of AAP guidelines, multidisciplinary medical/developmental assessment, genetic counseling, case management, social work, and social services.
Ages Served: Birth- Age 18
Hours and Days of Operation: Birth to 5 seen on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month: 8am to Noon
6 to 18 seen on the 5th Tuesday of the month: 8am to Noon
Address: 7920 Frost Street, suite 200 (Clinic Location), San Diego, CA 92123
Website: http://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/down-syndrome-center/
Email: tholt@rchsd.org
lgist@ucsd.edu
Appointments: 858-246-0794
Phone Number: 858-966-6170
Clinical Director: Lauren Gist, MD, MPH, UCSD
Services provided:
Behavioral MD
Psychologist
Nutritionist
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
Nurse Practitioner
Genetic Counselor
Clinical Care Coordinator
Geneticist/Pediatrician
Year Established: 2008
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: Approx. 140 with about half being return patients
Length of Waitlist: 3-4 months
Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes

Adult Primary Care Down Syndrome Clinic at the UCI Family Health Center, Santa Ana, CA

Summary: The clinic provides specialty medical assessment and care for adults with Down syndrome and Alzheimer-type dementia. The clinical team has many years of experience in the evaluation of dementia in adults with Down syndrome and is committed to improving quality-of-life in affected individuals and their families. The presenting symptoms of dementia in adults with Down syndrome are numerous and require careful evaluation as several medical conditions can mimic a dementia. Every individual with Down syndrome age 40 and older should receive an annual assessment for Alzheimer-type dementia.
Ages Served: Ages 21+
Hours and Days of Operation: Clinic is open every Thursday 8 am to 5 pm. Other weekday appointments are available as needed.
Address: UC Irvine Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics,101 The City Dr. Orange, CA 92868
Email: edoran@uci.edu
Appointments: 714-456-8443
Phone Number: 714-456-8443
Clinical Director: Ira T. Lott, MD/Program Director
Services provided:
Behavioral MD
Psychologist
Registered Dietician
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Genetic Counselor
Feeding Specialist
Developmental Pediatrician
Year Established: 1990
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: 150-200
Length of Waitlist: 2-4 weeks
Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes

UCSD Adult Down Syndrome Clinic-Chancellor’s Park, La Jolla and San Diego, CA

Affiliation: UC San Diego Health System
Summary: This clinic provides evaluation for Alzheimer’s dementia in older adults with Down Syndrome.
Ages Served: Ages 35+
Hours and Days of Operation: First Monday afternoon of every month
Address: RANCHO BERNARDO LOCATION:

4510 Executive Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 

LA JOLLA LOCATION:

16950 Via Tazon, San Diego, CA 92127 

UC SAN DIEGO LOCATION:

9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0752, La Jolla, CA 92093

Website: https://medschool.ucsd.edu/som/neurosciences/centers/down-syndrome-center/Pages/default.aspx
Email: adultDS@ucsd.edu
Appointments: 858-657-8540
Phone Number: 858-657-8540
Clinical Director: William Mobley, MD
Services provided:
Behavioral MD
 Psychiatry
 Neurology
 Neuropsychology
Occupational Therapist
Family Practitioner
Apraxia Specialist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Social Worker
Education/Inclusion Specialist
 Nurse Practitioner
 Genetic Counselor
Clinical Care Coordinator
Developmental Pediatrician
Year Established: 2010
Patients with Down Syndrome Seen Annually: 60
Length of Waitlist: 2-3 months
Medicaid Accepted? Yes
Insurance Accepted? Yes

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