On September 1, 2000, a Home and Community Based (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver for children with Autism ages 1 to 21, applied for by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), was approved by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA). Program implementation commenced on July 1, 2001.The Autism Waiver through Medical Assistance allows eligible children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to receive specific services to support these very high-needs children in their homes, educational settings, and communities in an effort to keep them from being institutionalized. Services provided under the Maryland Autism Waiver include respite care, family training, environmental safety modifications (i.e., locks, Plexiglas windows, fences), and regular or intensive day habilitation (i.e., extended school day currently provided under wrap-around services to children returning from residential care).Each child will be provided a case manager, who will assist the family with entry into the waiver and assure that appropriate waiver services are provided for the child. Local school systems, local infants and toddlers programs, and non-public schools, have been designated to identify possible beneficiaries of the Autism Waiver in Maryland.The Medicaid Autism Waiver is not an entitlement and differs from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The complex process of applying for the Waiver for each child requires the on-going involvement of a designated trained service coordinator and the services of a psychologist. Once a child has been approved for the Autism Waiver, a yearly recertification process must be completed.

For more information, contact
Debbie Henninger, Autism Waiver Program Coordinator
Baltimore County Public Schools, 410-887-8933.