A compassionate, therapeutic environment with the right kind of treatment for severe intellectual or developmental disabilities
Inpatient program helping patients make strides so
they can live a meaningful life
All individuals have different paths in life. The New Directions Program at Nexus helps those with severe intellectual or developmental disabilities find their way. Those diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism face a unique set of challenges, and oftentimes, families and caregivers feel like they have exhausted all other services available. The New Directions Program is tailored to engage individuals at their current skill level, aiming to enhance a wide range of abilities and boost confidence. The program also equips caregivers with the tools they need to sustain this progress at home, in school, and within the community.
Creating the right environment to decrease behavioral dysregulation while teaching social and behavioral skills helps the patients in our care flourish in their communities — because we’re mending minds.
A personalized approach to treatment for intellectual or developmental disabilities
Individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and autism have very limited resources available to truly help and make a lasting difference to their wellbeing. Hospitals will often discharge these patients quickly because of difficult and complex behaviors — which is why Nexus is different. We embrace those we care for because we can make an impact. The New Directions programming and schedule, combined with in-depth virtual and in-person family training, help set families up for success.
Whether the concern be around challenging behaviors, aggression, sleep dysregulation — or many others — we recognize that no two people are alike. That’s why our approach to working with patients with intellectual disabilities is tailored to meet their unique diagnoses. In addition to social and behavioral skills, we also work on communication, fine motor skills, language arts and math skills, name recognition, and strength and dexterity to help complete activities of daily living. Patients thrive in our structured program, which can be continued at home.
Program features that help now and facilitate success at home include:
- Interdisciplinary, physician-led team, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, mid-level practitioners, and behavioralists
- Individualized plans addressing developmental delays, including communication, sensory processing, social interaction, interest/item/activity fixation, and repetitive behavior patterns
- Therapeutic activities led by formally trained and licensed physical, occupational, and speech therapists, as well as autism specialists
- Evidence-based milieu therapy and naturalistic teaching (using real-life settings to teach)
- Integration of academic and cognitive concepts into weekly activities to increase exposure
- Instruction in pragmatic and social-emotional learning skills
- Music, art, and animal assistance therapy to encourage attention, participation, self-awareness, and coping skill development
- Curriculum designed to develop interests, self-confidence, knowledge, and experiences individuals would otherwise not have access to
- Patient, guardian/family and school training for transition back to home and community
Neurodevelopmental program services
- Neuropsychological Evaluations
- Occupational Therapy
- Psychiatry & Behavioral Management
- Recreational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
MEET A New Directions PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY
“Maddie now lives in her own space — dubbed “Maddie’s House.” A rotating, 24/7 care staff uses the routine she enjoyed at Nexus, allowing her to achieve the highest level of independence possible.”
– Tabitha, Maddie’s Mother
Specialized care for individuals with severe neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism
Typical characteristics of patients in the New Directions Program include:
- Patient has exceptionally challenging and maladaptive behaviors that are unable to be controlled utilizing community services
- Patient has significant medical needs, substantial physical impairments, and intricate communication needs (for example, non-verbal autism with seizure disorder and diabetes)
- Handicapping aggression to self or others
- Inability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs) or academically appropriate activities
- Hospital recidivism due to behavior dysregulation
- Caregiver has exhausted all prior services
Evidence-based, thematic curriculum helps patients gain skills and confidence
Structured, thematic curriculum — like weather, ocean animals, and the five senses — helps patients develop skills in communication, cognition, motor abilities, literacy, and mathematical concepts, not to mention social and pragmatic skills. We also teach academic concepts including colors, numbers, and shapes, as well as social-emotional concepts including greetings, emotions, and taking turns.
The New Directions Program uses specific metrics to evaluate progress with communication and developmental behavior. Testing is conducted at admission and throughout the patient’s stay, allowing treatment plans to adapt and evolve as children make progress.
- Communication Matrix: Assesses all types of communicative behavior
- DBC-2: Evaluates emotional and behavioral dysregulation and monitors interventions and medication usage
- Overt Aggression Scale-Revised (MOAS): Measures destructive verbal and physical aggression
- Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS): Assesses ongoing disturbed behavior and underlying aggression
- Wee-FIM: Evaluates progress in formal physical, occupational, and speech therapies