Services and Funding for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders Guide Sheet Q: What funding sources are available for my adult child/family member with ASD? A: There are 4 potential funding sources for adults with ASD. These include: 1. The Adult Autism Waiver 2. The Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) 3. P/FDS Waiver 4. Consolidated Waiver Q. How do I know which funding source my family member qualifies for? A. There are different *eligibility criteria for each fund source. This is broken down below: 1. Adult Autism Waiver Eligibility Criteria (overseen by Bureau of Autism Services): Must be a PA resident Must have an official ASD Diagnosis Must be 21 years of age (this waiver can be applied for prior to age 21, but only applications received 90 prior to an individual s 21 st birthday and later are approved. For example, if you turn in an application 6 months prior to an individual s 21 st birthday, it could either be denied or not reviewed at that time). To begin the application process you can contact The Bureau of Autism Services at 1-866-539-7689
2. ACAP Waiver Eligibility Criteria (overseen by Bureau of Autism Services): Must be a resident of either Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin or Lancaster Counties Must have an official ASD Diagnosis Must be 21 years of age To begin the application process you can contact The Bureau of Autism Services at 1-866-539-7689 Participants cannot require 16 or more hours of awake support, at intake 3. P/FDS and Consolidated Waivers Waiver Eligibility Criteria (overseen by respective county s Office of Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities: Must have an Intellectual Disability (mental retardation diagnosis) Do not have to have an ASD diagnosis The Intellectual Disability must have been diagnosed prior to age 22. Families can register with their respective County s Office of MH/ID when the person requiring services is age 14. Updated IQ testing will be needed to complete the process. While families can register as early as 14, funding may not be available until age 21. However, it is advised that families apply as soon as possible to get the process started as there are waiting lists. *Please note that the eligibility criteria listed is the general eligibility criteria and there may be more criteria specific to each fund source that might need to be met. Please ask this information when applying.
Q: What services does each different fund source provide? A: Each fund source provides several different services for adults with ASD/IDD. The following information is not necessarily exhaustive. 1. Adult Autism Waiver provides for services such as: Assistive Technology Community Inclusion Counseling Environmental Modifications Family Training Job Finding Residential Habilitation Supported Employment Therapies (Occupational, Speech and Language, Counseling) Behavioral Specialist Services Community Transition Services Day Habilitation Family Counseling Job Assessment Nutritional Consultation Temporary Crisis Services Supports Coordination Transitional Work Services 2. ** ACAP provides for services such as: Certified registered nurse services Intermediate care facility (ICF) Non-emergency medical transportation to services covered under the Medical Assistance program Nursing facility services Optometrists' services Chiropractors' services Audiologist services Dentist services Health promotion and disease prevention services Medical supplies and durable medical equipment Outpatient psychiatric clinic services Respiratory Services Targeted case management Assistive technology Family counseling Homemaker/chore services Pre-vocational services Supports coordination Prosthetic eyes and other eye appliances Hospice services Mental health crisis intervention services Behavioral support (similar to Behavioral Specialist Services in the Adult Autism Waiver Community transition services Crisis intervention services Adult day habilitation Environmental modification Habilitation Non-medical transportation Personal assistance services Residential support (similar to residential habilitation) Supported employment Visiting nurse Additional services determined necessary Physical, occupational, vision and mobility, and speech therapies (group and individual
* *It is important to note that ACAP is not a waiver program but operates more as a managed care model. Additional information about ACAP consumers may find helpful include: Becomes the participant's health plan Includes and coordinates physical, behavioral and community support services Support greater participation in community activities Keystone Autism Services and their network of providers (e.g. primary care physicians), provide most of the services 3. ***P/FDS and Consolidated Waivers provides for services such as: Home and Community Habilitation (Unlicensed); Licensed Day Habilitation Prevocational Services Companion Supported Employment Transitional Work Services Transportation Education Support Services Homemaker/Chore Nursing Therapy Services Supports Broker Services Assistive Technology Behavioral Support Home Accessibility Adaptations Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations and/or -Specialized Supplies Group Home Living (Consolidated waiver only) *** The P/FDS waiver has a cap of $30,000/year which is important to consider when deciding which services to pursue.
Q: How do I know which fund source is best for my child/family member? A: While choosing funding and services is a personal choice, it is important to consider several things. First, consider the eligibility criteria to see if your child/family qualifies. Second, consider the types of services each fund source offers and if it will meet the needs of your child/family member. For more information on funding and services for adults with ASD, the following links may be helpful: www.autismhandbook.org http://www.keystonehumanservices.org/autism-services/adult-communityautism-program/ http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/provider/waiverinformation/adultautismwaiver/i ndex.htm