Katie Frank is one of the only occupational therapists in the entire country who specializes in Down syndrome. She was inspired to help people with intellectual disabilities because of her younger sister, Tori, who was born with Down syndrome.
“I can remember going to therapy sessions with her. She had a huge impact on my life,” shared Katie. “It was devastating when she passed away in 1987 just shy of her third birthday.”
Originally from Cincinnati, Katie joined the Adult Down Syndrome Center in 2016 after earning her PhD in Disability Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“While I specialize with adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, I have experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages.”
As an occupational therapist, Katie helps patients with skills required in daily life such as making healthy choices and establishing good bedtime routines – essentially anything they need to do from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to sleep at night.
“I love the variety that comes with each patient. We see upwards of 30 patients with Down syndrome each day, and every case is unique,” she said. “The setting is also one-of-a-kind. There are other occupational therapists who might work with a few individuals with Down syndrome, but I only see people with Down syndrome all day, every day.”
Katie enjoys getting to know her patients and their families.
“Our patients notice if we’re having an off day. They’ll want to give us hugs or make goofy jokes to cheer us up. Their smiles make things better,” said Katie. “And their families are so grateful. The Center is a place they can come to get information and help from experts. It’s hard to have a bad day working here.”
Beyond patient care
Katie wears many hats at the Center. In addition to seeing patients for therapy, she leads the Center’s social groups.
“We work on things like managing emotions, improving conversational skills and having successful relationships with others. We even have a games group where patients think they’re just hanging out and having fun, but we’re actually working on different life skills.”
The social groups were forced to move to a virtual format during the pandemic, which gave people who live farther away the opportunity to participate.
“We’ve been able to make connections with a variety of new patients and families. We’ve had people from nearly every state join our groups. It’s been incredible to see,” shared Katie.
Katie is passionate about education and creates tools that help promote independence and self-care.
“Many patients with Down syndrome are visual learners, and I make videos and graphics for the Center’s online resource library,” she explained. “I also speak locally and nationally on topics related to sexuality and disability, occupational therapy, sensory processing, and health and disability.”
Katie is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in her community and across the country.
“It’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience working at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. I love what I do, and I’m fortunate to be part of a great team that gets to work with such wonderful patients and families.”
About the Adult Down Syndrome Center
The Adult Down Syndrome Center is one of the few primary care clinics in the world devoted to adolescents and adults with Down syndrome.
Believing that all individuals are worthy and deserving of compassionate health care and committed to enhancing the well-being of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, the Center’s mission is to enhance their lives by providing comprehensive, holistic, community-based care and services using a team approach.
The programs and services offered at the Center would not be possible without the generous support of donors. Please consider making a gift today.