Archive for May 2022

Latham students regularly participate in clinical group sessions focused on social development (in addition to one-to-one sessions focused on individual therapies). ‘The Golden Rules of Life’ was the topic for two of our suites in a recent group session with Lead Clinician Carlyn Setchell. Carlyn proudly shared highlights: “The Golden Rules of Life are helpful,…

There are so many diet recommendations for people with Prader-Willi syndrome that it’s hard to keep up! Go with the diet that best fits your family’s lifestyle. A diet/menu needs to be sustainable, so pick one that you can do easily and maintain for the long run.

Having a sibling with PWS can be difficult, especially for younger children. Allow siblings to express themselves, give them alone time with you, and reach out to local organizations to see if they have support groups. Siblings are always welcome to join Latham’s virtual Siblings Group that meets monthly.

Many people with Prader-Willi syndrome do not like the taste of water. Be creative without adding sugar or sugar substitutes by adding fresh fruits and/or vegetables like berries, cucumber, mint, and citrus.

People with Prader-Willi syndrome are born with less melanin than the rest of their family, causing pale skin. Be mindful any time they are out in the sun because burns can happen quickly. Always use the highest level of sunscreen and take frequent shade breaks.

Over fifteen Latham Centers staff from our Children’s and Adult Programs attended the Prader-Willi Alliance of New York Conference last week. Staff from our vocational, nursing, residential, educational, and admissions departments heard presentations from PWS professionals from around the country. Session Topics and Latham Presenters The session topics at the May 20-21 Prader-Willi syndrome conference…

Try scheduling non-preferred tasks before preferred tasks with your loved one with Prader-Willi syndrome. In the morning, be sure all of the routine is scheduled before having breakfast to make for an easier and more productive morning.  

Many disruptive behaviors we see in Prader-Willi syndrome are due to a misunderstanding or miscommunication. People with PWS typically have slow processing speed and only hear the last thing you said. Be mindful of how many words you use. Keep it simple, especially during times of high anxiety, to avoid misinterpretation of what you are…

Residential Activities Coordinator Danny Anderson shared highlights from a recent “Create your own superhero” activity on campus. Danny said, “Huge shout out to Chris Fitz, Cooper, Hanna G, and Kevin C for helping everyone find our students’ inner hero!” Latham students show us their talents as they produce unique and inspirational artwork with the support…

Scoliosis is very common in people with Prader-Willi syndrome. Surgery may be necessary depending on the percentage of the curvature. Several orthopedic surgeons in the country specialize in scoliosis in PWS.