Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK & Ireland

promotional image for the Spring 2026 issue of 3.21: Canada's Down Syndrome Magazine, coming Mar 2; magazine cover features a brown woman with Down syndrome, with black hair and wearing a red, flowered top; title: The Healthcare Issue

Coming March 2: the Spring 2026 edition of 3.21: Canada's Down Syndrome Magazine - the Healthcare Issue.

Subscribe for free today to receive a free digital copy in your inbox!
DSRF.org/magazine

3.21 Magazine is co-published by DSRF and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.

Image of a young woman who has Down's syndrome. She is smiling and wears glasses. She is giving a younger boy a piggy-back.

Do you want to take part in Challenge 21?! 💚

Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. We have therefore come up with a selection of challenges for you all based on the number 21!

Go to our website to find out more about getting involved: https://loom.ly/J1fnOag

a unicorn is running in a field with the words heute show on the bottom right Alt: A very cool dancing unicorn

Join us at the RCPCH conference!

The session will run jointly with the British Academy of Childhood Disability and the British Paediatric Respiratory Society

“Bridging Disciplines: optimising outcomes for children with complex respiratory and neurodevelopmental needs”

@bacdisability.bsky.social

headshot of a woman with long dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a black long-sleeve top, in front of a picture of a tree

We have another new team member to introduce - our newest Speech Language Pathologist, Aideen Sweeney!

Aideen (she/her) completed her Master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.

Welcome to DSRF, Aideen!

Image of a teenage girl who has Down's syndrome, dancing, on our 'Wake Up and Dance' poster. She wears headphones and glasses and a striped t-shirt.

DSEngage Live | Dance Class 🎶

Join people who have Down’s syndrome from all over the country to Wake up and dance via Zoom!

Next Session: Thursday 5 February 2026 (tomorrow.) Time: 9.30 – 10.15am.

The sessions will be led by a Dance Leader from DanceSyndrome.

Book here: https://loom.ly/fEn2yVs

Image of a young man who has Down's syndrome at the doctor's surgery, with his doctor.

A reminder that anyone aged 14 and over can request an annual health check at their GP practice.

This should then result in any health needs being met and a plan for moving forward to ensure optimum health throughout the year.

Find out more here: https://loom.ly/YQ8ENds

We welcome the updated publication of the 8th LeDeR report for 2023.

Although the report provides important insights, the pace of change remains far too slow.

Response in full here: https://loom.ly/qgg6G1I

Have you got your 'Lots of Socks' yet?! 🧦

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2026 (21 March) the Lots Of Socks way!

Please support the DSA and WDSD by getting your pair here: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/product/lots-of-socks-2026-individual-pairs/

#WorldDownSyndromeDay

man with Down syndrome with short dark hair, black glasses, and green long-sleeve shirt takes toast out of a toaster in his kitchen

The current issue of 3.21 Magazine takes on the topic of housing for adults with Down syndrome. We asked some experts what skills are most important to maximize independence after moving out, how to cultivate them, and what forms of support can help fill the gaps.

www.dsrf.org/resources/bl...

Images of young children who have Down's syndrome in their school uniforms.

Parents and carers of children and young people who have Down’s syndrome - your voices matter. The Department for Education (DfE) says this national conversation on SEND will influence the next Schools White Paper.

Click here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-reform-national-conversation

Poster for our 'Get Moving' session. There's an image of a girl stretching in a gym class, she has Down's syndrome.

We're sorry that this week's (9 January) 'Get Moving' session has been cancelled.

Get Moving is the new name for Pilates Plus. 🤸

Please join us for the next Get Moving session on Friday 16 January instead. You can sign up here: https://loom.ly/-T0bZlY

headshot of south Asian woman with long black hair, wearing a pale blue sweater over white shirt, in front of a picture of a tree

We are delighted to introduce you to the newest member of the DSRF staff team: Occupational Therapist Devanshi Gupta.

Welcome to the team, Devanshi!

Image of two young women who have Down's syndrome. They are smiling and hugging and both have brown hair, fringes and glasses.

Supporting the well-being of adolescents and adults who have Down’s syndrome:

Thursday 15 January 2026 | 10.30 to 11.45am | FREE

In this webinar we will talk about what we mean by well-being. We also talk about the importance of self esteem.

Book onto the webinar here: https://loom.ly/d5IbUjI

The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group no longer has a Twitter/X account, but we have moved to Bluesky ❤️

Could any lovely #paedsky #paediatrics folks give it some love?

#paedsky #pediatrics

It's @dsmig.bsky.social

Also @rcpch.bsky.social - give it a follow 😁

Banner for the DSMIG event where the DSA gave presentations.

Yesterday, staff from the DSA attended The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK and Ireland Winter Meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine, London.

All of our staff members gave brilliant presentations - well done to all involved!

@dsmig.bsky.social

Front cover of Ellie Goldstein's book: 'Ellie.'

Our prize draw for the chance to win a signed copy of Ellie Goldstein’s book 'Ellie' is closing on the 12 December at 12pm! 💚

The main prize will now be the book AND a Barbie doll with Down's syndrome! As well as four Barbie's with Down's syndrome to give away.

Enter here: https://loom.ly/U3J0Ceo

a blue and white penguin with the word hello written below it Alt: a blue and white penguin with the word hello written below it

Hey @rcpch.bsky.social - how about a follow back?

The RSM London

Good morning all!

A big hello to all attending the #dsmig winter meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine

a man in a suit and tie is smiling and says thank you and goodnight Alt: a man in a suit and tie is smiling and says thank you and goodnight

A really excellent day.

Any mistakes in this thread are the responsibility of @lordsedge.bsky.social

We'll see you at @rcpch.bsky.social Conference next year, and then in Edinburgh for our next DSMIG Winter meeting ❤️

#dsmig

kermit the frog is using a typewriter in a messy room . Alt: kermit the frog is using a typewriter in a messy room .

Dr (Ms?) Cloke just far too fast for me to type everything pertinent they are saying, but it's a great talk!

#dsmig

Women with high risk of CHD should avoid COCP.

Epilepsy is more common in Down Syndrome and seizures can be worse premenstrually. Oestrogen and lamotrigine may interact

VALPROATE REQUIRES EFFECTIVE CONTRACEPTION: see @mhragovuk.bsky.social

#dsmig

@britspag.bsky.social have a great leafl about periods and LD:

britspag.org/wp-content/u...

#DSMIG

Treatment:
Mild: TXA
Mod: hormones
Severe: higher doses of both

#dsmig

Detailed slide about heavy menstrual bleeding

1st Yr after menarche only 15% of girls are ovulating regularly

By 6th Yr 90% are ovulatory

#dsmig

History of menstrual problems needs to be thorough and enough time given per consultation

Most girls can cope independently

Period pants really help

Use a period bag

Practice

Visual supports

Track periods with an app

#dsmig

Young people with LD have the right to:
Understand puberty
Understand menstruation
Understand implications of any conditions
Understand their sexuality

(lots more in this slide but I cannot type quickly enough)

#dsmig

In Down Syndrome
No increased risk of uterine anomalies, precocious puberty or vulvovaginal issues

Possible earlier menarche

Females may be subfertile

#dsmig

Brianna

Last, but definitely not least, Dr Brianna Cloke talking about Menstruation in girls and women with Down Syndrome

#dsmig

Consider looking at the wonderful @dsa-uk.bsky.social DSEngage programme

#dsmig

What the MDT can do:

#dsmig