Medical Resources
Resources listed are not endorsed by DSAWM but are a list of options that are available. If you know of additional West Michigan resources, please let us know at director@dsawm.org.
Where to Begin
Children’s Special Health Cares Services (CSHCS) of Michigan provides low or no cost supplemental health insurance for a variety of covered medical diagnoses for individuals under 21 years old. While Down syndrome alone is not a qualifying diagnosis, CSHCS covers over 2,700 physical conditions of which many individuals with Down syndrome may experience at least one. A complete list of covered conditions can be viewed here. Find your county’s CSHCS branch
Finding a Physician
The Preferred Medical Provider List is maintained by Down Syndrome Head Start and lists doctors, dentists, and other providers recommended by Michigan families experiencing Down syndrome. **Please note that Down Syndrome Head Start’s website has been down as of November 2018. This list has not been updated since 2017. If you are looking for more up-to-date information, we recommend reaching out on the Michigan Parents of Children with Down Syndrome Facebook group.
Looking for a dentist? The Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA) is a unique international organization of oral health professionals and other individuals who are dedicated to promoting oral health and well being for people with special needs. A list of Michigan dentists belonging to SCDA can be found on their site.
Communicating with Your Physician
Boston’s MassGeneral Hospital For Children created a Talking to the Doctor Workbook for individuals with Down syndrome that focuses on sharing feelings and asking questions. They also offer remote second opinions to patients and health care providers in the United States. Similarly, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia offers a Toolkit for Transitioning to Adult Medical Care for individuals with Down syndrome.
For support when speaking with dental providers, take a look at the Dental Care Guidance for Caregivers of Patients with Down syndrome.
Additional Medical Support
WEAVE, or Working to End Abuse and Violence for Everyone, is a local collaboration between the YWCA West Central Michigan, MOKA, Spectrum Community Services, Thresholds, and Hope Network Developmental and Community Services. Committed to serving individuals through a culture of gentleness, these organizations came together with the vision that all individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse will have access to compassionate and highly skilled professionals. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or assault, WEAVE is available to provide support and resources.
