MRDD THERAPIES

Willowbrook Health & Home Services is licensed as a “Professional Support Service” agency to provide skilled rehabilitative therapy services in the State of Tennessee. Under a contract with the State, Willowbrook therapists serve the special needs of individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD) in middle Tennessee. Many of these individuals have been institutionalized for most of their lives, and we assist in their transition into the community by identifying therapy approaches that help them to achieve maximum functionality without compromising safety and comfort. Our therapists focus on finding motivating factors that will bring out untapped potentials of these individuals as their therapy progresses. The therapists concentrate on increasing functional independence as well as community reintegration through various activities that interests the individual. The therapists focus on small steps toward functional goals. Each individual has a one-year plan of care, which is reassessed annually by the therapist. Overall, our main goal is to increase the quality of life for the individuals being served and be the preferred therapy provider in middle Tennessee.

Therapy Staff

The Therapy team consists of:

• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapists Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Speech Language Pathologists

The PTs, OTs and SLPs of this team initially perform a comprehensive assessment/evaluation of the MR/DD individual to ascertain if they can benefit from therapy services. If so, a Plan of Care (POC) is developed and communicated to the individual’s physician for approval and signature. Once approved, the team initiates direct therapy services to the individual, communicates with the individual’s physician concerning changes needed in the plan of care, and participates in routine interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure ongoing coordination of these services.

The team first focuses on development and implementation of “foundational” health & safety staff instructions, training of caregivers, and competency checks to assure the support staff have a clear understanding of their responsibility and are effective in carrying out these instructions.

Beyond implementation and periodic review of these staff instructions, the team focuses on the aspirations and goals of the individual to develop treatment approaches that help the individual achieve their maximum level of functionality. An underlying goal is always to increase their independence and help them to reintegrate back into their community.

Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants focus on approaches that improve the individual’s ability to ambulate, transfer, position and posture properly, prevent falls, and exercise independently. The PTs and PTAs are also very involved in identifying and coordinating the procurement of physical management equipment for the individual (wheelchair, sidelyer, prone of forearm, etc).

Physical Therapy Staff Instructions may include:

Wheelchair Seating Plan Bed Positioning Plan Recliner Positioning Plan Flat Prone Positioning Plan Prone on Forearms Positioning Plan Inclined Sidelying Plan Quadruped on Forearms Plan

Inclined Supine Plan Stander Plan Orthotics Plan Ambulation Plan Hoyer Transfer Plan Stand Pivot Transfer Plan Dependent Transfer Plan

The PT and PTA staff also provides clinical supervision with therapist and therapy assistant students as needed.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants focus on improving the fine motor skills of individuals to help them perform activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.) with minimal assistance. OTs and OTAs also address the sensory and cognitive needs of the individual for appropriate interaction in the community.

Occupational Therapy Staff Instructions may include:

Bath Plan Dining Plan Mealtime Guideline Oral Hygiene Plan Oral Habilitation Plan Sensory Plan/Diet

Grooming Plan Dressing Plan Toileting Plan Splint Plan/Schedule Home Exercise Plan

The OT and OTA staff also provides clinical supervision with therapist and therapy assistant students as needed.

Speech-Language Pathologists (CCC or CFY)

Speech-Language Pathologists identify and focus on improving the cognitive, language and communication disorders, and swallowing difficulties of individuals. The SLP team justifies and assists in procuring individualized communication devices that help the individual to articulate their needs and achieve a “meaningful day”.

Speech-Language Pathology Staff Instructions include:

• Dining Plan
• Mealtime Guidelines
• Oral Habilitation Plan
• Oral Hygiene Plan
• Communication Guideline
• Communication Program/Plan

All SLP staff either possess a certificate of clinical competency (CCC) in speech-language pathology granted by the American-speech-language- hearing association, or are in their clinical fellowship year (CFY) under the supervision of an SLP-CCC.