heatherjudd
08-27-2005, 11:05 PM
Hi,
I have a 4 year old with Autism. Can you provide me with information on the programs available, ABA, scholarships, medicare autism waiver, and the steps it takes to get the services (also the amount of time it takes to get them and the counties worth going to),
thank you
I have a 4 year old with Autism. Can you provide me with information on the programs available, ABA, scholarships, medicare autism waiver, and the steps it takes to get the services (also the amount of time it takes to get them and the counties worth going to),
thank you
Sponsor
boysboysboys
08-27-2005, 11:35 PM
Hi,
I live in Wisconsin, near Madison, which is Dane County. I will try to give you some information, but I am just in the beginning stages of it all myself. (My twin almost 3 yr. old boys were just diagnosed 3 weeks ago). Here is some info I copied from a local site that explains the basics.
"Securing Medicaid funding for the purposes of intensive in-home autism treatment requires two critical components. The first involves applying for Medicaid. The second involves requesting a Medicaid “waiver slot” from the State. Both components are handled by your county autism services coordinator.
If your child is eligible for Medicaid, he or she will receive a Medicaid card which entitles him or her to a range of medically necessary services [LINK to http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm], including physician visits, OT, PT, speech and language, and mental health treatment, to name a few. However, the Medicaid card does not automatically make your child eligible for intensive in-home autism treatment. These services are available through a different funding mechanism, called the Children’s Long Term Services (CLTS) waiver, which serves a fixed number of children with autism per year. Even if your child becomes eligible for Medicaid services, he of she may have to wait until a “slot” becomes available to pay for intensive autism treatment expenses.
To secure Medicaid eligibility and a waiver slot:
Seek a diagnosis for your child’s developmental differences.
If your child has a significant disability (such as autism), you may qualify for Medicaid. A significant disability is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment which seriously limits the ability to carry our basic daily living activities such as self-care, learning, communication, and mobility.
Contact your county autism services coordinator [LINK to http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/bdds/autism/county.htm ] to apply for Medicaid. Although some families will qualify for Medicaid through income-based programs like BadgerCare, families with a disabled child may also qualify for Medicaid based on their child’s need for services.
Research possible autism providers. You must select an in-home autism treatment provider, and the provider must agree to accept your child into their program before the county can request a waiver slot from the state.
Notify your county human services department that you have selected a provider, and ask them to submit a request to the state for a waiver slot.
If Medicaid is approved and a waiver slot is secured for your child, the county will notify both you and your provider. Autism treatment services can begin shortly thereafter."
I read somewhere else that sometimes people have to wait up to 6 months for a slot to become available. In an earlier correspondence Lillyfires25 told me that she didn't have to wait very long, just 2-3 months, I believe. She is in a different of Wisconsin than I am, but I don't know if that makes a difference. If you are approved in the Madison area, there are 2 different ABA providers to choose from-Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) and Integrated Development Services (IDS). from what I understand both come to your home to provide intensive therapy for 35 hours per week. My sons' pediatrician says that the Madison Wisconsin area is one of the best for Autism services and that she has heard that quite a few people have moved here just to get these services. I don't know how long you have to live in the state to qualify. There is a center in Madison called the Waisman Center that is supposed to have some programs too. I am planning on calling them on Monday to see what services they provide.
Good luck in your search! Karen
I live in Wisconsin, near Madison, which is Dane County. I will try to give you some information, but I am just in the beginning stages of it all myself. (My twin almost 3 yr. old boys were just diagnosed 3 weeks ago). Here is some info I copied from a local site that explains the basics.
"Securing Medicaid funding for the purposes of intensive in-home autism treatment requires two critical components. The first involves applying for Medicaid. The second involves requesting a Medicaid “waiver slot” from the State. Both components are handled by your county autism services coordinator.
If your child is eligible for Medicaid, he or she will receive a Medicaid card which entitles him or her to a range of medically necessary services [LINK to http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm], including physician visits, OT, PT, speech and language, and mental health treatment, to name a few. However, the Medicaid card does not automatically make your child eligible for intensive in-home autism treatment. These services are available through a different funding mechanism, called the Children’s Long Term Services (CLTS) waiver, which serves a fixed number of children with autism per year. Even if your child becomes eligible for Medicaid services, he of she may have to wait until a “slot” becomes available to pay for intensive autism treatment expenses.
To secure Medicaid eligibility and a waiver slot:
Seek a diagnosis for your child’s developmental differences.
If your child has a significant disability (such as autism), you may qualify for Medicaid. A significant disability is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment which seriously limits the ability to carry our basic daily living activities such as self-care, learning, communication, and mobility.
Contact your county autism services coordinator [LINK to http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/bdds/autism/county.htm ] to apply for Medicaid. Although some families will qualify for Medicaid through income-based programs like BadgerCare, families with a disabled child may also qualify for Medicaid based on their child’s need for services.
Research possible autism providers. You must select an in-home autism treatment provider, and the provider must agree to accept your child into their program before the county can request a waiver slot from the state.
Notify your county human services department that you have selected a provider, and ask them to submit a request to the state for a waiver slot.
If Medicaid is approved and a waiver slot is secured for your child, the county will notify both you and your provider. Autism treatment services can begin shortly thereafter."
I read somewhere else that sometimes people have to wait up to 6 months for a slot to become available. In an earlier correspondence Lillyfires25 told me that she didn't have to wait very long, just 2-3 months, I believe. She is in a different of Wisconsin than I am, but I don't know if that makes a difference. If you are approved in the Madison area, there are 2 different ABA providers to choose from-Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) and Integrated Development Services (IDS). from what I understand both come to your home to provide intensive therapy for 35 hours per week. My sons' pediatrician says that the Madison Wisconsin area is one of the best for Autism services and that she has heard that quite a few people have moved here just to get these services. I don't know how long you have to live in the state to qualify. There is a center in Madison called the Waisman Center that is supposed to have some programs too. I am planning on calling them on Monday to see what services they provide.
Good luck in your search! Karen
heatherjudd
08-28-2005, 06:53 PM
what county is Lillyfires25 in that she only had to wait a couple months?
lillyfire25
08-29-2005, 11:45 AM
Hi...
I live in Fond du Lac county. I also just got the call this morning that our waiver slot was approved!! :bouncing:
boysboys gave you a pretty accurate description of how the process works here in Wisconsin. Our waiver has practically flown through. Jacob was diagnosed medically at the end of April, so it only took about 4 months to get the disability approval, then the waiver slot. We have already begun the admission process with WEAP (they are great!) and after a parent orientation next week, they will begin putting together Jacobs "team", and hopefully we can start his therapy in a few weeks!
Wisconsins "Autism Waiver" covers the all of the childs health care needs. Depending on your income, you may have to contribute to your childs services. I think if you make less than 50K a year, then you don't have to pay anything....
Are you looking to relocate? Don't quote me on this, but I think you have to live in Wisconsin for at least 6 months to be considered a resident, and be eligible for services.... I'll have to look into that for you. It may be worth it because I know that some other states with a autism waiver have a waiting list that takes years.....
Hope some of this helps... let me know if you have any other questions! :wave:
I live in Fond du Lac county. I also just got the call this morning that our waiver slot was approved!! :bouncing:
boysboys gave you a pretty accurate description of how the process works here in Wisconsin. Our waiver has practically flown through. Jacob was diagnosed medically at the end of April, so it only took about 4 months to get the disability approval, then the waiver slot. We have already begun the admission process with WEAP (they are great!) and after a parent orientation next week, they will begin putting together Jacobs "team", and hopefully we can start his therapy in a few weeks!
Wisconsins "Autism Waiver" covers the all of the childs health care needs. Depending on your income, you may have to contribute to your childs services. I think if you make less than 50K a year, then you don't have to pay anything....
Are you looking to relocate? Don't quote me on this, but I think you have to live in Wisconsin for at least 6 months to be considered a resident, and be eligible for services.... I'll have to look into that for you. It may be worth it because I know that some other states with a autism waiver have a waiting list that takes years.....
Hope some of this helps... let me know if you have any other questions! :wave:
heatherjudd
08-29-2005, 03:10 PM
What did they ask for you to provide to prove 6 months residency? I lived in Wausau for 6 months and then in Madison for 2 years
Fearless0911
08-30-2005, 01:17 PM
You had said that your child is 4 yrs. old. You did not say boy/girl. So I will start out with your child. Please get your child into any programs you can right now! Once your child turns 9 most programs will not except in WI. My sister whom I am very close with has a 9 year old with autism. It is a struggle! And depending on where your child goes to school that can affect him as well. You need good teachers who expect more out out your child. Rather then teachers who just tell you your child will not get any farther ahead in life. As sad as this is I have seen that! And with my sisters child. I also think back to my sisters pregancy. Her son was very active during all of her 9mths of pregnancy but then after birth it was like a whole different story. Sometimes I think the doctors that deliver your child have something to do with this as well. Go ahead and e-mail me if you would like. Take care!