Programs and Services

Adult Healthcare

A Family’s Introduction to UCP of West Central Wisconsin's Adult followup Clinic

What is an Adult follow-Up Clinic?

Since the mid-1970’s, United Cerebral Palsy has coordinated the services of the West Central Wisconsin Neurodevelopmental Evaluation Clinic. The Clinic is a gathering in one place, of specialists who are all concerned with various aspects of disabling conditions which are neuro-muscular in nature, and who communicate as a team to formalize the best treatment program for future developmental progress. As such, the “N.D.” Clinic primarily serves the needs of children aged birth through 21 years.

In 1999, Clinic team members, along with United Cerebral Palsy’s administration, considered the ongoing needs of the individual’s they had been following and decided to develop a program to answer the changing physical needs of the maturing adult—hence, the UCP Adult Follow-Up Clinic.

An adult, having lived with a neurodevelopmental diagnosis since childhood, may have need to periodically visit the Clinic’s multidisciplinary team for two major reasons:

1. to receive advice about a changing or newly discovered symptom or
2. to gain knowledge and experience with new adaptive techniques and devices which will maximize independence and minimize the effects of the aging process.

The fact that United Cerebral Palsy serves as the coordinating agent for the team does not imply restriction of population only having cerebral palsy. Several less frequently occurring neuro-muscular conditions are also evaluated. The element in common with all appropriate referrals is a condition with neuro-muscular implications, having a date of onset before adolescence.

Although the Adult Follow-Up Clinic is held within medical settings, the working philosophy of the evaluation team is family centered and their recommendations are designed to be carried out within each individual’s own living environment. UCP program managers are available to assist in identifying and securing appropriate local resources to address the defined goals.

Evaluations take place at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and participating team members come from several facilities:

• Sacred Heart Hospital
• Midelfort Clinic
• Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield

UCP’s Role

Clinic coordination services by United Cerebral Palsy are partially funded by several area United Ways and county Human Service Agencies:

UNITED WAY

UCP - Life without limits for people with disabilities

Your local Department of Human Services

Meet the Team

During your initial visit to the Clinic and on succeeding visits, you will be meeting with six professionals. It is your right to understand why each person is seen.

1. Physiatrist
Physiatry is the branch of medicine that oversees the ongoing therapy program for persons with disabling conditions. Because general good health is vital to the well being of every adult, successful intervention of any disabling condition must begin with an overview of your physical status. The physiatrist’s examination will consist of a general health assessment and a review of all previous diagnoses.

2. Neurologist
Most forms of developmental delays have causes arising from damage to the central nervous system. Therefore, comprehensive management of the conditions may include neurological follow-along. The neurologist’s examination consists of an assessment of the status of your nervous system (e.g. reflex testing), an investigation of possible causes and sometimes a prescription of medication to improve functioning.

3. Orthopedist
Conditions like cerebral palsy often require artificial support to skeletal muscles, surgical release of tightness, and monitoring of overall posture. The orthopedist’s examination consists of an assessment of the structure and function of bones and muscles and may include issuing prescriptions for mobility devices such as wheelchairs and walkers.

4. Physical Therapist
An important part of maintaining the optimum mechanical functioning for the adult to help himself will entail certain exercises and strengthening procedures. The Physical Therapist will evaluate current status of the large (gross) muscles of the body and then will recommend therapeutic procedures as well as adaptive equipment.

5. Occupational Therapist
The effects of neuro-muscular conditions often include impairment of “fine motor” development that impedes self-help activities such as preparing and eating food, dressing and housekeeping.. The Occupational Therapist will assess development of the body’s smaller (fine) muscles and suggest methods and adaptive equipment for accomplishing those activities most efficiently and independently.

6. Speech and Language Therapist
Movements of the tongue, lips and throat are also frequently affected. The speech therapist will evaluate modes of communication, speech patterns, problems in feeding and swallowing, and language comprehension. She will have suggestions on feeding and communication and may recommend an augmentative communication device.

7. Other Consultants
Also, available as needed, consultants include ophthalmology, orthotics, urology, nutrition, and audiology.

For more information about Adult Healthcare, please contact UCP at (715) 832-1782 or send an e-mail.

http://www.ucpwcw.org
Updated: 10/16/2006