Clinical Services

Clinical Services

Physical & Emotional HealthOur Focus

Our Clinic treatment program supports the mission of The Arc of Dutchess by providing an array of professional services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – to enhance their physical and emotional health and move them closer to the vibrant life they imagine and deserve. Since we began, the Clinic has grown and expanded several times in response to loss of service providers within the community as well as the changing and evolving needs of the people seeking services.

Therapies are designed with the goals of facilitating the right of the member to make informed choices, express needs and preferences, explore options, set personal goals, expand competencies, understand and manage diagnoses, achieve optimal well-being and improve quality of life.  We respect individual choice and whenever possible strive to understand the unique aspects of each person before assigning a therapist.

Our medical and therapy staff offers a wide range of skills and interests along with the competency developed over years of experience serving the often complex needs of people with ID/DD.  We believe in a holistic approach to treating each individual. Each person receiving services has an assigned Treatment Coordinator serving as the contact point and liaison at the Clinic for referral sources, and ensures that recommendations made by the Clinic are communicated as pertinent to other caregivers.  The Treatment Coordinator also participates in meetings with our Medical Directors and all interested parties in the circle of support, to ensure services are thorough and appropriate to each member’s needs.  Education and counseling services are also available to families, as we aim to increase understanding and maintain supportive relationships for everyone involved.

Medical Services

Psychiatry

  • Diagnostic Assessment
  • Consultation
  • Medication Management

Medical Evaluation & Management

  • Semi-annual review of health status and authorization of clinical services
  • Consultation with caregivers & medical providers
  • Annual face to face meeting with service recipient & members of support team

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Nutritional therapy assists a person in the modification of their nutritional patterns with the intent of improving health and lifestyle. Services of a Registered Dietician can include:

  • Assessment of nutritional status
  • Monitoring of related health conditions
  • Individual therapy as appropriate to foster understanding and optimal health
  • Supervised exercise

Podiatry

Rehabilitation Services

Occupational Therapy

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, OT practitioners ask the more empowering “What matters to you?”…thus not “What’s the matter with you?”  Occupational Therapists help people across the lifespan participate in the activities they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday actions.  Treatment by an OT includes:

  • Individualized evaluation
  • Customized intervention
  • Focus on adapting the environment to fit the person
  • For more information about the practice of occupational therapy go to www.aota.org

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.  They diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities with a series of programs and treatments which includes:

  • Assessment of mobility and need for adaptive devices
  • Individual therapy to restore, maintain and promote both physical function and optimal wellness, as it relates to movement and health (including customized exercises, light weight training and various movements)
  • Therapy to prevent the onset, symptoms and progression of impairments, functional limitations and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions or injuries such as cerebral palsy, scoliosis, stroke, osteoporosis, knee injuries, etc.
  • Caretaker training
  • Recommendations for environmental modifications
  • For more information about the practice of Physical therapy go to www.apta.org.

Speech & Language Pathology

Speech therapists acknowledge the critical role that the ability to communicate plays in a member’s well-being and quality of life. The therapist evaluates each person’s communication skills within the areas of cognition, speech articulation and fluency, language comprehension and expression and voice quality.  Treatment by a Speech Pathologist includes:

  • Screening for speech and language disorders
  • Therapy to improve expressive and receptive communication
  • Use of assistive technology
  • Swallowing evaluations & recommendations for adaptive eating equipment
  • Caregiver training
  • For more information about the practice of Speech therapy go to www.asha.org.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

Rehab Counseling is the process which enables people with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive and emotional impairments or health disabilities to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining or returning to employment or other useful occupation.  The Rehab Counselor provides:

  • Exploration of career interests & work readiness
  • Assessment of interpersonal competence for employment
  • Counseling to address work challenges, employer expectations, interpersonal and vocational skills.

Personal Counseling & Psychotherapy

The role of psychotherapy can be essential to help members learn to take control of their life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.  Our therapists utilize a wide range of therapeutic modalities and techniques during both group and individual treatment sessions to address a variety of issues including:

  • Trauma & grief
  • Anger management
  • Poor coping skills
  • Issues related to self esteem
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Sexual deviance
  • Symptoms of disorders
  • For more information related to the benefits of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic approaches please visit www.mayoclinic.org or www.apa.org.

Testing & Assessment

Our team of NYS Licensed Psychologists and Social Workers also provide a wide range of testing and assessment opportunities to address:

  • Eligibility for OPWDD services
  • Guardianship.
  • Competency & Capacity for decision-making and informed consent
  • Health Care Proxies
  • Assessment of Risk

Referral & Intake Process:

Anyone can make a referral for Clinic services including the person seeking a service for themselves.  Information about Clinic services and the referral process can be obtained by calling Christine Henning, Clinic Treatment Coordinator at 845-471-8876 x 146 or via email to chenning@arcdutchess.org