Parent/Caregiver: 10 things you can do to secure services when you find out your child has autism
If under 3, get into the First Steps
Program immediately. Referrals should be made to the
Point of
Entry (POE) for residing area, POE found at
http://chs.ky.gov/commissionkids/firststeps/guide.htm
or call 800-817-3874.
Contact your local school to secure
special education services entitled to your child.
Services start at age 3 and your child is guaranteed a smooth
transition from First
Steps to public school services (Special
Education Department (502) 564-4970 &
Early Childhood Office
(502) 564-7056). Your regional coop also has complex needs
consultants who may assist in your child's programming. Your's can be found at
http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Student+and+Family+
Support/Exceptional+Children/Special+Education+Resources/Special+Education+
Cooperatives+-+Contact+Information.htm If your child has more needs than can be
met
by the regular school year, ask about Extended School Year (ESY) services.
ESY
is a service provided to students who are eligible due to
one of the following:
regression, critical point of instruction,
importance of age, severity of disability, no
progress toward
IEP, etc. There are many ways to qualify, and ESY is individual
to your
child's needs.
Enroll your child for Medicaid waivers
(currently there are waiting lists). These provide
a variety of
services in your home or in the community to help your child with
autism.
See http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/mws.htm for descriptions.
If you have limited income and limited
financial assets, apply for Supplemental Security
Income (SSI).
SSI provides help for disabled people with limited income and
provides
money for basic needs. www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/ or
www.socialsecurity.gov (look under SSI).
For insurance, check into the $500.00 allotment for autism medical and behavioral health
coverage: http://doi.ppr.ky.gov/kentucky/Documents/pubs/Autism_Facts_2005.pdf To
report a complaint, contact the KY Department of Insurance at (800) 595-6053.
Obtain respite services. You may be able to access respite through your local ARC or
your local Comprehensive Care Center (http://mhmr.ky.gov/CMHC/). A resource manual
at http://www.louisville.edu/kyautismtraining//documents/WholeEnglishRManual_051905.pdf provides a detailed listing of the ARCs and comprehensive care centers as well as other types
of services.
Plan ahead for day care and summer needs such as aftercare programs or YMCA programs.
If you plan to leave your child any financial assets, consult with an attorney who is
knowledgeable in estate planning. Your local ARC can assist you.
Join a support group. A list of support groups is also available from the Kentucky Autism
Training Center at:
http://www.louisville.edu/kyautismtraining//documents/Autism%20Support%20Groups.pdf
To help you understand your child's rights and advocate for your child's services, consult
KY Protection and Advocacy at (800) 372-2988.
