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Autism Task Team

The Autism Task Team (Task Team) was formed to develop new recommendations on autism services in Kansas. To achieve this directive, the Task Team utilized a round table format to engage professionals and individuals with lived experience to identify and address core issues within the autism services system. This report summarizes the work of the Task Team and its recommendations to the Secretary of KDADS.

Autism Task Team Final Report

Autism (AU) Waiver Program

Photo of a child playing in a play place tunnel

The Autism (AU) waiver provides support and training to parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis to help ensure children with ASD can remain in their family home.

Services

Family Adjustment Counseling
Parent Support and Training (peer-to-peer)
Respite Care

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Autism waiver, an individual must meet the following criteria:

Must be 0-5 years old;
Be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified;
Meet the level of care eligibility score;
Be financially eligible for Medicaid based upon individual income.

The Autism services are limited to three years; however, an additional year of service is available in some cases based upon a review process. Requirements for this one-year extension of services beyond the three-year initial limit include the following:

The child must meet eligibility based on the Level of Care assessment at the annual review on the third year of services, and
Data collected by the Managed Care Organization must demonstrate a need for continued Autism Waiver services.

Enrollment

Instructions for Parents/Guardian on Completing the Application

Please begin by downloading the Autism Application (below) in English (por favor, descargar la Aplicación de Autismo en español).

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Step 1

Section 1 requests basic information about your child and family. Personal information will be protected according to HIPAA guidelines. Please provide your child’s name, date of birth, social security number (SSN), your name as the parent or guardian, your address, a phone number where you can be reached and, if applicable, your child’s Medicaid Identification Number.
Step 2

Section 2 includes two components. The first part requires you to indicate with a check mark which autism screening tool was used in your child’s diagnosis. Please check all that apply and if the screening tool is not listed, please specify which tool was used. The second part is a checklist of needed items to accompany this application. Please check next to “Documentation of Autism Diagnosis is Attached” if you have enclosed diagnosis documentation. Put a check mark by the “Signature of Licensed Medical Doctor or Ph.D. Psychologists” if a Medical Doctor or Ph.D. Psychologist has read, signed and dated the statement provided at the bottom of Section 2.
Step 3

The fully completed application can be submitted three ways:

1. Faxed to KDADS Community Services and Programs (CSP) at 785-296-0256,
2. Hand delivered to your local KDADS office to be time/date stamped, or
3. Mailed to:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Attention: Home and Community Based Services
503 S Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66603-3404

Once the application has been received and the child meets the above-mentioned criteria, the parent or guardian will receive a letter from the Autism Program Manager informing them that the child has been placed on the Proposed Recipient List and their numerical position on the list. When a position on the waiver becomes available the program manager will contact the family and if the family is still interested in waiver services a referral for a functional assessment will be sent to the assessing entity.

The Access Guide contains detailed information regarding enrollment.

Aplicación Autismo (en Español)
PDF, 177.27 KB
Autism Application (Englishl)
PDF, 154.45 KB

Public Comment for State Plan Amendment

LHDs - SPA Notice - Autism Service Providers Revisions

Additional Information

For additional information or assistance you may follow the provided link to contact the KanCare Ombudsman.

Renewal Information

Find waiver status, renewal, and public comment information here: Autism Waiver Information.

Contact Information

Interim Program Manager:
Leigh Smith

Phone:
785-296-3913

Email:
[email protected]

Fax:
785-296-0256

Mail:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Attention: Home and Community Based Services
503 S. Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603-3404

Long Term Services & Supports