Services & Programs » Long Term Services & Supports » Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) » Waiver Programs

Autism (AU)

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
  • FMS Services for Self-Direction

Eligibility

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

  1. Must be 0-5 years old;
  2. Be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified;
  3. Meet the level of care eligibility score;
  4. 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).

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

Once the application has been received and the child meets the criteria mentioned above, 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.

Public Comment for State Plan Amendment

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.

Additional Information

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

HCBS would like to keep you informed about what we are doing. Please sign up to receive email updates from KDADS / HCBS.

Contact

Community Supports Waiver Program Manager
Jessica Schadel
785-296-8131
Jessica.Schadel@ks.gov

Mail:
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Long Term Services and Supports
503 S. Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603-3404