PA Bureau of Autism Services Adult Waiver

By: Lu Randall
Mar 10, 2009

The Bureau of Autism Service (BAS) has begun processing applications to consumers and will soon begin the evaluation process.. The initial plan was for the Adult Autism Waiver to serve 200 individuals. That number has remained unchanged. Applications will continue to be mailed out over the course of the next several months until 200 people are enrolled in the Adult Autism Waiver program.
  The eligibility requirements for the waiver program are as follows:
  *  Individual must have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  *  Must be age 21 or older at the time of application
  *  Must be a resident of PA
  *  Must meet financial and functional eligibility 
 In order for a person to be eligible, he or she must qualify for Medical Assistance, therefore financial eligibility is determined by the County Assistance Offices (CAO).
  Functional eligibility is determined by BAS. An in-person assessment will be made by individuals specifically trained to determine functional eligibility through a Level of Care evaluation. The  evaluation determines if the applicant has extensive limitations in daily living skills such as communication, learning, mobility or capacity for independent living.  
 BAS continues to see a positive response to the Adult Autism Waiver program both from providers and consumers. Nina Wall-Cote, BAS Director states: “We will continue our efforts in implementing our waiver program in a way that is most beneficial to the population we wish to serve-adults living with autism in Pennsylvania.”
 Services available under this waiver may include:  Assistive Technology, Behavior Specialist, Community Inclusion, Community Transition, Day Habilitation, Environmental Modification, Family Counseling, Family training, Job Assessment and Finding, Nutritional Consultation, Residential Habilitation, Respite, Supported Employment, Supports Coordination, Temporary Crisis Services, Therapies (Counseling, Occupational, Speech and Language,) and Transitional Work Services. 
 Interested in the waiver?  Please call 1.866.539.7689.  You will be guided to go through the voicemail system.  Then be ready to leave the following information:
Caller’s name, Applicant’s name (if different) Daytime Phone number, Address, Applicant’s county.