JSDD believes in nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), access to therapeutic services is a critical component of personal growth and overall well-being. The in-house therapeutic team provides the expertise and opportunity for members to receive speech therapy with Shelby Scalici, physical therapy (PT) with Amelia Mukerjee, and occupational therapy (OT) with Sharon Barnick. Appointments occur during the day at the WAE Center, making services more accessible and seamlessly integrated into each person’s schedule.
Physical Therapy: Building Strength and Self - Assurance
Physical therapy sessions are a common sight around the building, often led by our dedicated PT, Amelia. Members can be spotted walking with Amelia throughout the administrative offices or Heidi Gallery, taking purposeful steps toward increased mobility, balance, and strength. These sessions are designed to meet individual goals and always include encouragement, peeking into offices for a visit or an impromptu dance and always celebration of progress.
Amelia shared:
“Erin has been making tremendous progress in physical therapy. She continues to conquer her mobility fears with gentle encouragement and comes to therapy excited and motivated to exercise each week! She has an engaging personality and playful spirit that makes her sessions joyful. Erin adds a little extra sunshine to the day!”
Speech Therapy: Communication with Confidence
Shelby leads speech therapy sessions which are known to be lively, laughter-filled, and ripe with meaningful breakthroughs. Whether the focus is on articulation, vocabulary recall, or social communication skills, Shelby creates an environment that is supportive, fun, and tailored to each member’s communication goals.
Recently, Debbie has been working with Shelby to improve her word recall through interactive word games. Although she has only been in speech therapy for a short time, she’s already showing impressive progress. These games are more than playful, they are powerful tools that help build memory, confidence, and verbal expression. Debbie looks forward to her sessions and is growing more communicative each day.
Occupational Therapy: Everyday Skills for Everyday Life
OT with Sharon may be challenging, but it’s always met with determination and a positive spirit. Occupational therapy focuses on helping members gain or regain the skills they need to participate fully in daily life, whether it’s improving fine motor skills, building routines, or learning adaptive techniques for self-care and independence.
A Holistic Approach
By offering PT, OT, and speech therapy onsite during the day, the center removes barriers to accessing essential care. It also allows the therapists to collaborate with program staff, ensuring each individual’s therapeutic goals are reinforced throughout their daily activities.
The result? A vibrant, supportive environment where progress is not only possible but expected—and where every milestone, big or small, is met with celebration and pride.
