Patricia C. Winders

Director of Therapies and Senior Physical Therapist, Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome,
Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome

Pat WindersPatricia C. Winders is the Director of Therapies and Senior Physical Therapist at the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the medical care center for the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.

Patricia joined the Sie Center because it allows her to fulfill her dream of creating a comprehensive program of physical therapy for children with Down syndrome and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team of clinical care specialists and researchers dedicated to people with the condition.

Since joining the Sie Center in December of 2007, Patricia has seen nearly 1,000 patients and has launched several programs with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation including the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Class with the Colorado Ballet and Global’s Dare to Play Football Camp with Ed McCaffrey. Her position at the Sie Center has allowed her to mentor other physical therapists, participate in important gross motor skills research, and update the definitive book that she researched and wrote – Gross Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals.

Over the last three decades, Patricia has captured important gross motor information for children with Down syndrome that informs the best practices outlined in her book. From crawling, to walking, to participating fully in exercise and sports, Patricia has helped thousands of individuals with Down syndrome reach their gross motor skills potential.

Patricia has provided much needed training to professionals and parents across the US (including Puerto Rico), and overseas including Mexico and Saudi Arabia. She has lectured and provided workshops throughout the United States and is a “regular” at the National Down Syndrome Congress’ annual convention.

Prior to joining the Sie Center, Patricia was a senior physical therapist at the Down Syndrome Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University. During her 20-year tenure there, Patricia worked with both children and adults with Down syndrome.

Patricia serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Congress, on the Clinical Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Society, and is a member of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group. She is the recipient of the  NDSC Meritorious Service Award and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Award of Excellence in Therapeutic Care.

Patricia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida in 1975. She lives in Colorado with her husband Jim, and daughter Elizabeth.

Patricia can be reached at Patricia.Winders@childrenscolorado.org.