Benefits for children and adults with autism vary by state. In Arizona, individuals on the autism spectrum can take advantage of a variety of benefits including respite care, habilitation, and state-covered health insurance. State-provided services also cover several therapy options including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Although these services are available, obtaining access to the autism benefits in the state is not a quick and easy process. The Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) oversees the entire process and the first step is eligibility.
Arizona DDD Eligibility
In Arizona, children under the age of six that are considered at risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder may be found eligible to receive state services. Once a child reaches his sixth birthday, the only autism spectrum diagnosis eligible for services is autistic disorder, DSM code 299.00. Individuals with a diagnosis of PDD-NOS or Asperger’s Syndrome are not eligible for DDD services.
Once the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities deems a child eligible, the child’s case is then referred to the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). Due to budget cuts, only children that are eligible for funding under ALTCS actually receive services, even with DDD eligibility. ALTCS, which receives federal funding, is the state’s Medicaid program. Ultimately, ALTCS is the primary funding agency for autism benefits in Arizona.
Once a child is deemed to be both DDD and ALTCS-approved, then the child becomes eligible to take advantage of the various autism benefits available.
Respite Care and Habilitation
Although respite hours are awarded to a DDD-eligible individual with autism, this benefit is designed to help the parent or caregiver. Respite hours allow the caregiver to tend to personal health care needs, run errands, or just take a break. Being a primary caregiver for an individual with a disability can be exhausting and respite care allows this caregiver to get a break from the 24/7 demand of care giving.
Habilitation hours are designed to help the individual with autism meet certain life goals. These goals are created in conjunction with the individual’s DDD support coordinator and are tailored to the person’s specific developmental needs. For example, a five year-old child may work on toileting skills during habilitation hours while an 18 year-old will work on mastering independent living skills.
State-Covered Health Insurance
Once an individual on the autism spectrum is part of the ALTCS-system, he is eligible for state-covered health insurance. This insurance is provided through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), which is Arizona’s Medicaid program.
In most instances, Individuals covered by AHCCCS are not responsible for co-pays for doctor visits with a doctor that participates in the plan. Additionally, prescriptions on the plan formulary are covered in full and do not require a co-pay.
In addition to the basic health care benefits, the ALTCS Medicaid program also covers diapers and pull-ups. With a prescription from a pediatrician or primary care physician, the covered individual can receive free diapers or pull-ups.
Autism Therapy
Once a child has been deemed eligible by both DDD and ALTCS, the family can pursue therapy evaluations. Three of the more commonly used therapy options are speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
A child’s individual delays are assessed in determining eligibility for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Once eligibility is determined, goals are set and therapy hours are assigned by the state.
These are just a few of the autism benefits available in Arizona. In addition to state-provided services, there are also several autism centers in the state providing autism programs and services to Arizona families.
Source:
Navigating the System, Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities, July 2008
Melissa Hincha-Ownby - Melissa is a life-long writer. She started her freelance writing career in the 8th grade when the editor of her small town’s ...
