Addressing Healthcare Fragmentation for Adults with IDD through Embedding OT in Primary Care

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026

3:10 PM – 4:10 PM

Course Description

This presentation addresses the fragmentation of healthcare experienced by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by integrating an occupational therapist into a specialized interdisciplinary primary care clinic. Adults with IDD often face limited, siloed healthcare services that contribute to poorer health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and heightened provider burnout. To address these challenges, this initiative embeds occupational therapy within the existing interdisciplinary care model at the Timothy Freeman Center at the University of Cincinnati, a primary care clinic dedicated to individuals with IDD. Embedding OT in primary care serves to highlight the expanded scope and value of OT practice across the adult lifespan, particularly for individuals with pediatric-onset disabilities. This model emphasizes the importance of applying a lifespan perspective when counseling adults with IDD and their families or caregivers about changing occupational needs and transitions in care.

Speakers

Madeline (Tillie) Drexelius, OTR/L is an occupational therapist at UC Health, working at the Gardner Neuroscience outpatient department as well as at the Timothy Freeman MD Center for Developmental Disabilities in Cincinnati.

Tillie has practiced in pediatric/neurodevelopmental settings as well as adult outpatient rehabilitation. Prior to earning her master’s in occupational therapy Tillie worked in outpatient ABA with specific programming promoting home-, school-, and community-based skills for children aged 3-18. Tillie earned her MS in Occupational Therapy from University of Cincinnati.

Valerie Miller, PhD, MS, OTR/L is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Cincinnati. Valerie is also an affiliated faculty member with the IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) Education Center at the University of Cincinnati and a research mentor for the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Valerie is an occupational therapist and has practiced in pediatric/neurodevelopmental settings as well as adult inpatient rehabilitation settings. Valerie earned her MS in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University and her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky. She completed a pediatric occupational therapy residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2017, including participation in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. During her time in the LEND program, she helped develop the Zoo Access for All program at the Cincinnati Zoo where she created the sensory supports (sensory rooms, sensory bags and sensory maps as well as social narratives) that are still used daily by individuals with sensory processing challenges. Valerie’s research centers on providing environmental supports for individuals with disabilities to enhance community participation.

Content Level

Introductory: This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area.

Intermediate: This level assumes the audience has general familiarity with the literature and professional practice. The focus of the presentation is on increased understanding and application by the participants.

Practice Areas

Community-based Practice; Emerging Practice Area; Other