July 22, 2008
FIRM DONATES DESIGN AND FUNDING FOR FLORIDA’S FIRST
PRIMARY CARE CLINIC FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS

Commissioner Mildred Fernandez Delivers Keynote Remarks at June 4 Ribbon-Cutting

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 22, 2008) – C.T. Hsu + Associates has donated its architectural services and $25,000 in funding to create Florida’s first medical and dental primary care clinic for the developmentally disabled.  The Threshold Center for Autism’s $1.2 million facility opens in July and will serve an estimated 4,000 patients annually.

“Developmentally disabled people have trouble getting health and dental care because they can be disruptive, violent and unable to communicate effectively,” said Threshold Center President Bob Wright, Ph.D., RN, FACHE.  Autism is lifelong brain disorder that begins in early childhood and is characterized by language impairment, abnormal behavior and social withdrawal.

C.T. Hsu + Associates designed the new clinic to address the considerable challenges to treating autistic patients and others with physical and behavioral disabilities who have been traditionally underserved by conventional doctor and dentist practices.  It features two wings: one with medical exam rooms particularly designed for special needs patients and the other featuring more traditional exam rooms.  Orange County District 3 Commissioner Mildred Fernandez was the keynote speaker at a June 4 dedication ceremony for the clinic located in Winter Park, Fla. 

In addition to serving Threshold’s clients, the clinic also will link to Orange County’s Primary Care Access Network and the non-profit Shepherd's Hope organization to provide medical and dental services to the area's uninsured and underinsured population.
 
The Threshold Center for Autism (www.threshold.ws) addresses the needs of the autistic individuals with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment programs along with providing resources to meet the unique challenges for the family.  Programs include a full-service primary medical and dental clinic for early intervention and treatment, a functional analysis laboratory, a virtual reality research laboratory, reactive analysis laboratories, a behavior tolerance unit, an enclave training division, a family counseling center, short and long term residential care facilities and ongoing broad based research to achieve cures.

C.T. Hsu + Associates (www.cthsu.com) is an Orlando-based architectural planning and design firm named 2006 “Firm of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects - Florida Association.  Established in 1984, the firm focuses on a mix of mid to large scale projects in the education, government, transportation and mixed use development sectors.  Its multidisciplinary approach ranges from urban planning and design to architecture and interiors.