It was a simple question: “Does the Physical Therapy (PT) Department serve adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities?” But it gave me pause.
In my 30-year tenure at MMI, our departmental focus primarily has been on pediatric, school-based or medically related PT services, and our team of experts is stellar in this arena. We do offer adult consultations through the Nebraska Medicine’s Adult Neuromuscular and the MMI Mobility and Assistive Technology (MAT) clinics, but this is less than 1 percent of the clients we serve, although that figure grows if you consider the young adults aged 19 to 21 served in transition programs through the Omaha and Bellevue Public Schools.
But what happens to those in need of PT services after age 21? Do the concerns that PT’s traditionally address in childhood, physical conditioning, functional skills and mobility training, and/or community access, magically resolve at age 21? Certainly not — Movement and mobility is integral to health at all ages and stages of life. So MMI PT re-evaluated, re-focused and set out to strengthen our adult reach.
Brad Corr, D.P.T., director of adult PT programming, joined our team in July, adding a unique blend of training in pediatrics, athletic training and adult home-health, all integral aspects needed for addressing the needs of adults with movement challenges. Dr. Corr is thoughtfully and thoroughly assessing the unmet PT needs of young adults and families as they transition out of programs designed for “children birth to 21” and exploring potential collaborations with existing community partners that support adult services.
Are there barriers to this expansion? If you define barriers as community awareness, treatment space, and/or reimbursement, perhaps. But are we letting this impede our mission? Absolutely not! The need is tangible and not solely movement- or PT-related. We believe it will take a comprehensive team, led by a client and family, but MMI is ready to embrace its role with adult services.
Good for MMI. Adults are left behind. What is needed is a good outreach program with assistance in funding. Many times there is funding but the potential client doesn’t know it. Good luck.