Testimonials

Patients and Families

“After many years of searching, to finally find the specialized care she needs has been a huge weight off our shoulders.I finally feel like we have a trusted partner in her healthcare journey.Their specialized expertise provides her with outstanding medical care, and their experience and compassion provide us with support that is unmatched. It’s been a Godsend.”

Molly O’Toole, caregiver and niece of adult aunt with Down syndrome

“Finding a healthcare team that welcomes and encourages patients with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities has been a game changer for our daughter with severe autism. She is not treated as a burden to be tolerated but as a person with unique medical needs, and a participant in her own care. This level of considerate health care should be available to all patients with IDD.”

Cindy Molloy, MD, mother of adult daughter with Autism

“My son who has an intellectual developmental disability has a history of being challenged by medical procedures. Our recent experience was an example of the improvement in medical care that has taken place now that we have a Center for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The level of coordination – dental work, blood draws, and minor surgery could only happen as a result of increased awareness, training, coordination between departments, and medical personnel who have an understanding of my son’s very significant needs. This type of care not only reduces the level of trauma that he has suffers when things aren’t so well coordinated, it will also have an impact on his quality of life and his on-going medical care.”

Jennifer Brown, PhD, mother of adult son with Autism

Community Partners

"The Freeman Center is addressing a huge gap in healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Freeman Center medical home has the ability to support people like a Cincinnati Children’s and teach other providers in the community about best accessible practices to support those with disabilities."

Jason Harris, Self-advocate, Director of Strategic Operations at Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD)

“I have seen first-hand the struggle that families face seeking appropriate primary care for their adult children with developmental disabilities, including Intellectual Disability (ID), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). . . . I am grateful that my patients will benefit directly and indirectly from the existence of the UC Health Center for IDD.”

Patty Manning-Courtney, MD, Chief of Staff, Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

“Those with Down syndrome are facing more health challenges as they age, which are oftentimes unique to this population. I recently heard of a study that stated 95% of the population with Down syndrome in our country doesn’t have access to a specialty clinic to meet their distinctive medical concerns. The idea of having one of these clinics in Cincinnati is such good news for our Board and Staff Team, and we look forward to collaborating with this clinic for years to come.”

Jim Hudson, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati

“Recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control now say 1 in 50 people have autism. We need to act now and prepare this large population of teenagers to enter an adult world as healthy integrated and contributing citizens with meaningful lives.We are excited to learn UC Health is interested in improving the lives of these individuals with a dedicated IDD healthcare program that brings together multiple medical disciplines to address the complex health issues of this population. We believe you will change lives and not only of those with autism but for those that teach and provide care intervention – medical staff, families, caregivers, and anyone else that helps these adults living with autism.”

Diana O’Brien, Founder and Chairman, and Paul Kitzmiller, President, Impact Autism

“We frequently hear families and adults on the spectrum struggle to access health care services. Often a traditional medical environment is difficult for them to navigate, and depending on their individual needs, it can be traumatizing to have multiple appointments in different offices with different providers . . . . The ASGC believes that this is not only an important offering to our community but actually a vital, necessary addition to our community if we really desire to provide the best medical care to all people living in Cincinnati.”

Mary Helen Richer, Chief Executive Officer, Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati

“Families often report that getting quality care from healthcare providers who are unfamiliar with childhood-onset developmental/intellectual disabilities and who don’t know how to support patients with behavioral issues, is very challenging.
The UC Health Program for IDD would address and reduce (if not eliminate) some of the barriers that adult patients with IDD experience. . . . The program has potential to become a national leader in providing healthcare for adults with IDD.”

Ilka Riddle, PhD, Associate Professor, Director,University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

“The mission of the UC Health Center for IDD to become a national leader in healthcare for adults with IDD, and to train future physicians to care for adults with IDD through quality, coordinated, compassionate services address the need of the individuals we serve. More importantly, these efforts extend well beyond our region and state. The UC Health Center for IDD has the potential to be a model across the United States for improving healthcare and ultimately, quality of life.”

Christina Carnahan, EdD, Associate Professor, Director, Advancement and Transition Services, University of Cincinnati

“One of the key components that I am most excited about in the development of the Center for IDD is the intentional communication and collaboration across a variety of disciplines so that both routine and specialized healthcare are provided in a context of holistic individualized needs.The Center for IDD intends to meet people where they are with compassion and expertise, meeting a critical healthcare gap for adults with IDD. Support focused on the person, their unique needs, and in the context of their life.”

Anne Tapia, MSW, LISW, Regional Autism Advisory Council (RAAC)