What is an assistive technology device?

Assistive Technology, or AT, devices are defined as "any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (IDEA, Sec.602(1)).

Who is eligible for assistive technology devices and services?

In Kansas, services for children from birth to age three years are coordinated through Kansas Infant-Toddler Services. Students ages 3 through 21 years, if they have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), are eligible for services through their school program. AT needs should be documented on the plan. Those with IEPs must have a transition plan (including AT needs) at age 14 to assist in their move from secondary education to other settings. For AT devices and services to be provided, they must be listed on the IEP.

Adults are eligible for devices and services through federal and state dollars distributed through the Assistive Technology for Kansas Project. Various funding sources might be utilized, including vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid, insurance, etc.

Assistive technology devices and services should be included in the plan, whether it be an Individual Program Plan (IPP), Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Home Plan (IHP), Essential Lifestyle Plan (ELP), or Person-Centered Plan (PCP), etc.

How do I get the help I need?

• Email Heather.Wilkes@ks.gov
• Contact the Assistive Technology Access Site located at the SKIL Resource Center by calling 620-421-6551

Audiology and Speech

Conventional/operant audiometric testing is performed for all residents and is available for the general public. Evaluation is available to the public without referral and available for individuals of any age. Assistive technology support is provided for residents, with information about these supports available to the general public.

Both standardized test measures and informal assessments are used to evaluate the communication needs of all residents upon admission and also reviewed annually.

Laboratory

The Laboratory is managed by a medical technologist who acquires, labels and completes quantitative testing on specimens for maximum accuracy in diagnosis. All testing is monitored by quality control and quality assurance programs. The lab participates in a quarterly proficiency testing program. The test results are reported to the physician to aid in the diagnosis.

A routine procedure profile (CBC, chem/lipids, thyroid, medication levels and urinalysis) is followed on each resident. Any tests that cannot be performed onsite are sent to reference labs.

The lab meets Immediate Care Facilities (ICF) guidelines, state lab inspections and is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified.

Medical

Our medical department is comprised of one physician and three ARPNs. Physicians provide routine preventive, acute and emergency medical care for the residents and are on call 24/7. Physicians serve as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team and work closely with the QDDP, Psychologist, Healthcare Coordinators and Social Workers.

After a resident is admitted, a complete physical examination, including laboratory work is performed and thereafter annually. All medications being taken by the resident for general medical conditions are evaluated for their proper indication and dosages are adjusted as needed. If the resident is taking behavior modifying medications, consents are obtained at the time of admission from the parent/guardian and every effort is made to obtain a detailed medication and behavioral history. The goals of this procedure are to identify the current working psychiatric diagnosis, if one is available, to specify the target behaviors and symptoms for which the medications are prescribed, and to develop a treatment plan which utilizes the minimum effective dosage of medication.

Any health issues or illnesses that arise daily are treated immediately in the clinic located in the Medical Services Building by the physician with the clinic nurse. If necessary, they are referred to a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. In order to make it more convenient for residents a podiatrist, gynecologist and neurologist who practice in the community have scheduled clinics at the facility as well as a psychiatrist from KU Medical Center via telemedicine video. Physicians keep in contact with the family regarding the medical conditions of their patient directly and through social workers.

Nursing

The nursing staff serves individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who live in a variety of residential homes on the facility grounds. The majority of residents are ambulatory and are working to develop life skills. Nursing care is patient focused.

Nurses participate in multidisciplinary treatment teams and work with physicians to meet the health care needs of residents. Each residential home has an RN Health Care Coordinator, who works closely with the physician to individualize and tailor treatment needs.

Because residents have longer lengths of stays than in traditional settings, staff get to know each resident, fostering relationships based on dignity and respect, reinforcing the belief that each person is unique with special needs, strengths and weaknesses.

Psychology

Treatment philosophy is based in behavioral analytic principals and therapeutic interventions are data driven and empirically based. Psychology staff work in conjunction with the treatment teams to clarify diagnoses, determine function of problem behaviors, identify variables that may maintain these behaviors, and generate positive replacement behaviors. The individual’s behavior, medications and adaptive skill level are fully assessed.

Treatment focuses on transition back into the community with the highest level of adaptive skill and the lowest level of psychotropic medications necessary to maintain behavior. Psychology staff provide both individual and group counseling utilizing various cognitive behavioral therapies (e.g., dialect behavior therapy, relapse prevention, anger management, etc.) and conduct multiple assessments (e.g., intellectual performance, adaptive behavior composites, behavior rating scales, etc.).

Radiology

The Radiology Department is staffed by a registered and licensed radiologic technologist and a board-certified radiologist who routinely reads radiographs. The department performs a variety of diagnostic imaging studies as well as electrocardiograms and the capability of performing routine chest x-rays or any other x-ray as needed.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Service encompasses the entire motor spectrum for residents. Sensorimotor integration, physical and occupational therapy principles, and adaptive equipment management are applied to the residents whose motor needs dictate these services.

Individuals are referred to the rehabilitation from doctors' orders and managed in a specific clinical setting or on the living unit. Duration of services range from lifetime management for the resident to short-term remediation of specific injuries.

Dental

Diagnostic and Preventive Dental services are provided to all residents. Residents are seen by a licensed hygienist who comes to the dental clinic at least twice a month. All residents able to cooperate have their teeth scaled and a full mouth exam performed every six months.

A dentist from the community comes every Friday. Higher level residents may have fillings, extractions, root canals, etc., performed in the dental office onsite. The dentist also has operating room privileges at Labette Health, where residents who are unable to fully cooperate or others who are in need of surgical extractions such as impacted wisdom teeth, have those procedures performed under general anesthesia.

Food and Nutrition

The Food and Nutrition Department strives to meet residents’ nutritional needs while providing meals that are appetizing. Meals are prepared in the cottages and served family-style to provide residents with the experience of a home-cooked meal, also allowing the opportunity for residents to be involved in meal preparation and shopping locally for groceries. Residents are supported in practicing skills related to food choice while also being provided with education about maintaining balanced nutrition.

Menus are created using the exchange lists established by the American Dietetic Association and American Diabetes Association. This system allows for planning of balanced meals while still being able to adapt meals for special preferences. Menus are planned in advance by the cottage cooks and residents and are reviewed by the food service supervisors and dietitians to ensure they meet guidelines established by The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Upon admission, a registered dietitian performs a nutritional assessment for each resident and recommends an individualized meal plan to suit unique needs, preferences, allergies and medical conditions.

Leisure Activities

The Leisure Department employs several important services for residents. The Leisure Education Coordinators (LEC) program individual and group activities based on the residents' leisure needs. Activities range from community based contacts (i.e., dinner outings, movies, church activities, sport events, fine art events, etc.) to specific individual leisure and motor needs.

An auditorium, gymnasium and pool that can be used by community groups as well as the residents are located on campus.

Resident Employment and Career Development

Employment Training and Career Development staff help individuals customize their employment training based on personal interests, choices and experience. Goals and skills training are then provided to the individual to promote successful employment. The Employment and Career Development Department, in conjunction with the Human Resources Department, also offers training for residents in the following areas: EEO representative, job search and interview and employment discrimination

• Parsons Vocational Department Employee Handbook

Vision

All residents visit the local ophthalmologist for eye exams and follow-up visits as recommended. Depending on insurance eligibility, resident may choose eyeglass frames and have eyeglasses made onsite or may select a frame and order eyeglasses through the Vision Office from an optical company in Merriam, Kansas.

Human Rights Committee

The Human Rights Committee provides oversight and review for the purpose of ensuring that the rights of residents at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center are respected and protected. Residents have the same rights as all other citizens. These include freedom of speech, religion, association, equal opportunity, and equal protection under the law.

The Human Rights Committee is made up of residents, staff and community members who have training or experience with issues and decisions regarding human rights. The committee meets on a regular basis in order to ensure all resident rights are supported and protected. Committee minutes, behavior program reviews and grievance reviews documentation are maintained in the Director of Social Work’s office.

Residents have the same rights as all other citizens. They are also provided opportunities to exercise responsibilities that accompany their rights.

Their rights include:

• Right to learn and get access to information about rights and freedoms.
• Right to freedom of speech.
• Right to vote.
• Right to religious preference.
• Right to live the way they want - where and with whom.
• Right to privacy.
• Right to affordable housing or ownership of property.
• Right to employment and equal pay jobs.
• Right to education and attend public school until age 22.
• Right to relationships; family, friends, marriage, parenting.
• Right to government information.
• Right to be safe.
• Right to their own opinions.
• Right to be treated as an equal.
• Right to medical treatment and information.
• Right to have personal information kept confidential.
• Right to be respected by others.
• Right to lobby, protest and demonstrate about rights.
• Right to choose.
• Right to freedom of movement
• Right to their own possessions.
• Right to live in the least restrictive environment.
• Right to public transportation.
• Right to handle their own money.
• Right to select services.
• Right to public services.
• Right to environments used by the general public.
• Right to due process.

Members of the Human Rights Committee are appointed by the Superintendent. Members include residents, staff, and community members who have training or experience with the issues and decisions regarding human rights. Community membership will be comprised of at least 33 percent of the membership.

• Parsons Human Rights Committee Manual

Order a copy of the "Rights + Responsibility = Respect" DVD ©2005 PSH Endowment Association.

Social Services

The Social Work Department provides social work services for assigned residents, families and interdisciplinary teams in the areas of pre-admission/admission; placement preparation and completion; maintenance of family contact and information dissemination; securing informed consents and arranging home visits; facilitating guardianship as needed; delivering of assigned therapy and counseling; and coordinating communication during hospitalizations, medical emergencies and end of life issues. The department also works to protect and promote residents rights and responsibilities.