After OPWDD approval, your family member qualifies for these core services. We connect you to the right providers — many at no out-of-pocket cost through Medicaid.
Trained aides who help with daily personal care at home — bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, and companionship.
Applied Behavior Analysis — evidence-based therapy and support for autism and developmental needs.
OT to build daily-living skills, fine motor control, and independence.
PT to improve strength, movement, balance, and mobility.
Support for communication, language, and feeding/swallowing where needed.
A Care Manager who helps organize and connect all of your services.
Autism spectrum disorder is one of the developmental disabilities that qualifies for OPWDD — when documented before age 22 and expected to continue. Once approved, individuals with autism can access the full range of services, including ABA therapy, OT, PT, and speech therapy.
For autism, OPWDD typically asks for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation (such as ADOS, ADI-R, or CARS-2) describing the specific symptoms. Don’t have one yet? We’ll guide you — these can often be obtained at no cost through an Article 16 Clinic.
Once your family member is OPWDD-approved, you can apply for Self-Direction — which adds respite, day and community habilitation, housing, supported employment, and the ability to control your own budget and hire your own providers. See Self-Direction →