Applying to the Division of Developmental Disabilities is the first step in receiving services here in Arizona. It’s important to know that a diagnosis alone is not an automatic qualifier.
In order to be eligible for DDD, you must:
Useful Links
ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System) is the Federal Medicaid funding source to pay for the services that DDD coordinates. ALTCS must process your application within 45 days. There are two steps to applying for ALTCS:
1 – Financial Interview – this is a phone interview with a series of questions to make sure your child does not have more than $2,000 in their name
2 – PAS Interview – this is done in person in your home with a series of questions about your child and their development. You must have 40 points in order to qualify. Make sure to attend one of our Autism 101 classes held monthly to go over this step in more detail. The PAS Tool questions and links are listed below.
3 – Once you have been approved for ALTCS, you will be asked to select a health plan through Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Currently, there are two choices. This will then become your secondary insurance if you have Primary Care Insurance. You have 30 days from being approved to pick which plan you want and have the opportunity to switch once per year. Be sure to read the new member handbook and check for your current Doctors you use in each plan before you choose one.
First, DDD alone only covers support coordination. You MUST qualify for both DDD and ALTCS to get services. If you have both, please look at the links below:
In order to get appropriate services for your child in school, contact your local school district and ask in writing for a complete Psychoeducational Evaluation to be completed on your child. They have 60 days to evaluate your child. To find your school district, look up on the Arizona Department of Education at: www.ade.az.gov or call 602-542-5393. Once your child is evaluated for Special Education services, you will have a MET/IEP meeting to determine goals and what placement is appropriate for your child’s needs.
For more information on your rights, IEP’s and Special Education Law, visit www.wrightslaw.com
The free Autism 101 class is held once a month online via Zoom. This class is for parents and family members new to Autism or new to Arizona. This class will go over the steps to access services, steps to start the Special Education process, and offer other information and resources to help you have a successful journey. Parents are encouraged to watch the Autism 101 class online first, as well as click each of the links in the Autism in AZ section prior to attending the Autism 101 class so they are better prepared with their individual questions.
Our support group meetings are held monthly as a way for parents and caregivers to connect with each other, find valuable information and resources, and receive the support they need from other families. Each meeting is run a little differently, some of the meetings include a guest speaker, but all meetings provide the chance to connect with other parents.
We also sponsor three Autistic adult support group meetings, led by Autistic adults, which meet on Saturdays online.
We also offer a virtual game night and social opportunities. Please view our calendar of events to sign up.