Teaching Programs

Physical therapy is an important and rewarding treatment intervention for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In terms of its impact on the patient, physical therapy has one of the highest treatment-to-quality-of-life improvement ratios.

The Lee Specialty Clinic Physical Therapy program was developed in collaboration with Bellarmine University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and Jefferson Community and Technical College. Its mission is to expand and develop students’ knowledge and skills in delivering physical therapy services to individuals with IDD at both Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant levels. Students will be under the supervision of experienced APTA clinical instructors in a unique interdisciplinary setting.

The course is designed for the associate degree, Physical Therapist Assistant and the doctorate level Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist Assistant completes a five-week clinical practicum and the Physical Therapist completes a six-week clerkship and six-week internship at the clinic.

The Lee Specialty Clinic Physical Therapy program offers a unique mix of didactic and clinical training. The curriculum training takes place at the Lee Specialty Clinic, where the student works as a member of the interdisciplinary clinical team comprised of neurologists, internists, psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral analysts, otolaryngologists, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, occupational, speech, and physical therapists.