THE DFX DIFFERENCE
DFX is a Denver-based nonprofit committed to a vision of changing care as usual to create a more inclusive world.
At DFX, we are creating a system of transdisciplinary care provided within a child’s trusted community, in which the range and depth of services available to a family are not determined by their socioeconomic situation but rather available to all. We operate according to this principle in our clinic and share our models of inclusion through training and mentoring in Colorado and around the world.
Since our founding in 2003, we have taken our expertise in addressing the complex needs of children with Fragile X Syndrome and applied those skills to serve youth affected by mental health issues, developmental disorders, social/emotional delays, autism, other genetically identified conditions, and any combination of these issues. The children and families we reach are equipped with life-changing resources and ready to engage more fully in an ecosystem that is more aware and supportive of their needs.
DFX co-founder and executive director, Tracy Stackhouse, is a leading pediatric occupational therapist (OT) involved in clinical treatment, research, mentoring, and training regarding OT intervention for persons with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Fragile X Syndrome and autism. Tracy is a member of the National Fragile X Foundation Clinical Research Consortium, the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee, and the NFXF Advisory Council, and an expert advisor to the CDC and RTI Fragile X Priorities Panel. The DFX board includes professionals from throughout the Denver community who are leaders in healthcare delivery and administration, education, and other areas of expertise. Our clinical team is trained to provide multidisciplinary care adhering to our therapy that fits philosophy via occupational therapy, psychology, and speech language pathology.
DFX works to transform the lives of children who have neurodevelopmental disabilities and mental health challenges so that they can live to their fullest potential; to serve as a resource to families, educators, and other care providers by offering them the tools to understand and administer to the complex, individual needs of each child; and to share our knowledge and change the landscape of what transformative care looks like for children who are struggling and their families – locally, nationally, and globally.
We scale our mission through four key approaches:
- DFX Multidisciplinary Clinic in Denver – we scale deep for each child and family. We cultivate and provide therapy that fits through occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology services for local families.
- Clinic in the Community – our services scale beyond the clinic through wraparound programming that extends into homes and communities. DFX Clinic in the Community has formal programs through our school and early learning program initiatives that bring therapy that fits to programs and providers throughout the Denver area.
- Learning Journeys – our virtual education program, scales out our impact to therapists, educators, parents, and providers and expands our impact through online courses, training, podcasts, and mentoring services that have a global reach.
- Research, Innovation, and Advocacy catalyze our work and inform our therapy that fits philosophy which is integral to our core mission-driven programs allowing us to scale up our impact.
DFX has a strategic vision of our future that focuses on:
Impact: expansion of our impact on the lives of children with developmental disabilities through our mission-driven programs in the Clinic, Clinic in the Community, and Learning Journeys, creating systemic change rooted in communities of understanding and belonging
Innovation: exploration of innovative techniques related to providing therapy that fits through research, elaboration, advocacy, and dissemination of best practices
Infrastructure: investment in capacity building for leadership and clinical expertise as well as new, expanded clinic space