Healthcare for People with IDD
The Lee Specialty Clinic provides compassionate, interdisciplinary care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A place where every patient is treated with tenderness, understanding, and respect.
Trusted by Kentucky families and recognized as an international leader in IDD care since 2014.
What We Offer
Specialized medical care designed around the unique needs of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Expert neurological evaluation and ongoing management for complex conditions.
One of the only dental programs in Kentucky designed specifically for patients with disabilities.
Movement and rehabilitation programs tailored to each individual's abilities and goals.
Evidence-based behavioral assessment and support to improve quality of life.
Mental health evaluation and treatment from providers who understand IDD-specific challenges.
Communication therapy to help patients express themselves and connect with others.
Building skills for daily living, independence, and meaningful participation in community life.
Rapid, compassionate response when patients and families need immediate behavioral or medical support.
Hearing evaluation and care from specialists experienced with developmental disabilities.
Dietary guidance and nutritional support for overall health and wellbeing.
Comprehensive eye care in an environment adapted for patients with special needs.
Foot and lower limb care addressing mobility and comfort for every patient.
Additional specialties coordinated through our interdisciplinary care model.
Why the Lee Specialty Clinic
The first interdisciplinary clinic of its kind in the nation — designed from the ground up to care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our physicians are recognized as international leaders in IDD healthcare, setting the curriculum and standards used by medical schools worldwide.
From dentistry to neurology to nutrition — 14 specialties work together so families don't have to navigate a fragmented system alone.
Every staff member is trained to listen, understand, and treat each patient as an important, valued individual — not a number on a chart.
Our CEO serves as Global Medical Advisor for Special Olympics, training thousands of healthcare providers to better serve athletes with IDD.
A welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable and families feel confident their loved ones are truly understood.
Our Story
For years, the healthcare community quietly turned its back on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Physicians, dentists, hospitals, and emergency rooms told patients with IDD and their families to find care elsewhere. There was no "elsewhere."
Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood shared a vision: an interdisciplinary clinic where adults with IDD could receive comprehensive, respectful care under one roof. In 2014, that vision became the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky — the first of its kind in the nation.
Today, the clinic brings together 14 specialties in a single, comfortable environment. The model Dr. Holder and Dr. Hood designed has influenced medical education worldwide, and the clinic itself has been recognized as an international leader in the field of developmental medicine and dentistry.
"It provides a safe, comfortable place for its patients to get the kind of all-round support and care that can be very hard for them or their families to find."
— Jimmie Lee, Founder
Our Leadership
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Matthew Holder is recognized as an international leader in the care of individuals with IDD. He took over the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry in 2002, setting the curriculum and standards that guide medical students and physicians worldwide. Since 2005, he has served as Global Medical Advisor for Special Olympics, training thousands of healthcare providers. Dr. Holder co-designed the interdisciplinary patient care model that became the Lee Specialty Clinic — the first of its kind in the nation. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
Chief Clinical Officer
Dr. Henry Hood is a nationally recognized leader in Developmental Dentistry whose entire career has focused on clinical care, teaching, research, and advocacy for patients with IDD. In 2014, the Kentucky Board of Dentistry designated the Lee Specialty Clinic as an independent teaching institution under his leadership. He has served as a forensic consultant evaluating abuse and neglect of individuals with IDD, and is co-founder and Past President of the AADMD. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Dental School.
Chief Administrative Officer
Patient Voices
★★★★★
"I put all of my trust in the team at Lee Specialty Clinic. The big difference here is the empathy and the listening skills that they have for people with disabilities. The Clinic has given me the tools, the resources, and the confidence to learn enough about my body to do things that have surprised not just me but everyone around me."
Chrissie Walker
★★★★★
"All of the staff are kind, welcoming, and very understanding. There are no other dental clinics that will take people with disabilities in Kentucky, so I have recommended the Lee to lots of friends. They all thank me every time I see them. It's a wonderful place."
Terry Leigh
★★★★★
"I have followed the evolution of the Lee Specialty Clinic for nearly a decade, and I've seen the results of the work done by the doctors who work there. They are truly international leaders in this field."
Timothy Shriver, PhD
★★★★★
"The idea behind the Lee Specialty Clinic was a dream of mine for many years. It provides a safe, comfortable place for its patients to get the kind of all-round support and care that can be very hard for them or their families to find. The clinic plays a vital role in caring for our special needs population."
Jimmie Lee
Common Questions
We provide healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). If you or a family member has a developmental disability and needs medical, dental, or therapeutic care, we welcome you. Please call us to discuss your specific situation.
Referral requirements may depend on your insurance plan. We recommend calling our office at (502) 368-2348 so we can help determine what you need before your first visit. Our team will guide you through the process.
Your first visit will be a comprehensive evaluation. Our interdisciplinary team takes the time to understand your health history, goals, and needs. The environment is designed to be calm and comfortable — we go at your pace.
We work with a variety of insurance plans. Please contact our office to verify your coverage before scheduling. Our administrative team will help you understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs.
Absolutely. We encourage family members and caregivers to be part of the care process. Their insights help us provide the best possible care, and we want everyone involved to feel welcome and informed.
Patients with IDD often have complex, interconnected health needs that require providers who truly understand developmental disabilities. Many healthcare settings are not equipped or trained to provide this level of specialized, compassionate care. The Lee Specialty Clinic was built specifically to fill this gap.
Get in Touch
Whether you're a patient, family member, or caregiver, our team is ready to answer your questions and help you get started. You can call us directly or send a message below.
Phone
(502) 368-2348Location
Kentucky