Welcome to the Latham Centers blog!

Welcome and thanks for checking out our blog! It is here where we hope you will gain a more intimate understanding of who we are as well as offering a place to share stories of hope and life with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The Latham Centers’ Gilbough Program opened its doors to work with individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome in 1980. Today we have evolved from a small program with few individuals to a nationally known leader in PWS residential treatment.

We currently have 6 adult houses with all PWS individuals. All houses have 4 or 5 adults with PWS. Additionally we have 1 adult in a shared-living setting. For the younger population, we also have one of the few childrens residential programs that serves children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The Latham School has a capacity for 12 students with PWS (boys 12-22, girls 8-22). All residents participate in a host of community and agency sponsored activities and have productive, active lives.

Our work has shown that there are a number of important key elements. In order for our individuals to experience a vibrant and thriving lifestyle, programming must support and include the following:

• Well trained staff versed in Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Houses with all PWS individuals
• A nutritional plan in place (we have a 5 week nutritional plan)
• Either a locked kitchen or locked cabinets and refrigerator
• Nursing knowledgeable in PWS health issues
• Commitment to utilize community resources (i.e. local gyms, educational resources, shops, day programs)
• Involvement in Special Olympics and/or other organized recreational activities
• Behavioral specialists (consulting and/or staff)
• Psychiatric care with a physician knowledgeable in PWS
• Committed teams to work with each individual’s abilities, goals, and dreams