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Developmental Disabilities Information
The focus of the Developmental Disabilities Services Division is to assist individuals and their families in choosing and accessing quality and cost-efficient services and supports that best meet their needs and requests. The mission is accomplished by offering an extensive array of services and supports either provided by the Center or through a network of private and public agencies and organizations.
This page contains information on:
Eligibility;
Definitions;
Intake;
In-Home Family Support Services;
Support Services;
Respite;
Supported Employment;
Autism; and
Service Coordination.
The Developmental Disabilities Services of the Austin Travis County MHMR Center are, basically, for people:
- With a diagnosis of Mental Retardatioin; or
- With a diagnosis of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, including Autistic Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder; or
- Provided referral or enrollment in certain Medicaid programs based on the presence of a related condition.
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A diagnosis of mental retardation requires that all three of the following criteria be present:
- Intellectual functioning lower than the majority of the general population (below an IQ of approximately 70);
- Limitations in adaptive behavior, or the ability to function independently in activities of daily living, as compared to other individuals of the same age and cultural background; and
- Onset prior to 18 years of age.
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What is Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder?
Pervasive Developmental Disorders, including Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and Rett’s Disorder, usually begin prior to age 10 and are characterized by severe impairment in the developmental areas of:
- Reciprocal social interaction skills,
- Communication skills, and
- The presence of stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities.
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What is a Related Condition?
A Related Condition is a severe and chronic disability that:
- Is attributable to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or any other condition, other than mental illness, that is closely related to developmental disabilities because the condition results in impairment in intellectual and adaptive behavior functioning similar to that of person with developmental disabilities;
- Is manifested before the age of 22;
- Is likely to continue indefinitely; and
- Results in substantial functional limitation in three or more areas of major life activity to include self-care, understanding and using language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and capacity for independent living.
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An intake appointment serves as the entry point to Developmental Disabilities Services and certain support services.
Intake appointments are made through the Center’s Intake specialist. Intake interviews are conducted at locations convenient to the individual and family. Psychologists provide a Determination of Mental Retardation (DMR) for persons seeking services in accordance with state law and rules of the Texas Department of Aging and Disablility Services.
Results of this assessment may lead to referral to other community resources and/or access to the Center’s network of providers.
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In-Home and Family Support Program assists children and adults with disabilities and/or their families in purchasing services and items that are beyond the scope of usual needs (i.e. basic clothing, food, shelter, general medical care, and education). Services/items funded vary based on individual needs and alternative resources available.
Eligibility Criterion for In-Home Family Support Services:
- Children and adults with developmental disabilities, autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and developmental delay (birth to age 4).
- The assistance meets disability-related needs that directly support the person to live in his/her natural home.
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Services are provided to assist individuals (who are not receiving Residential Services) in participating in age appropriate community activities and services.
Supported Home Living: Support services provided to an individual in the individual's home or community.
Specialized Therapies: Support services provided by licensed or certified professionals.
Family Support Services: Support services provided to the family of an individual to help preserve the family unit and prevent or limit out-of-home placement of that individual.
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Respite support is available to families and caretakers of individuals determined to be eligible for Developmental Disabilities services. The amount of respite support provided is individualized and based on each individual/family situation.
Respite support is accessed through Service Coordination and must be justified prior to resources being authorized and expended. Individuals have the option of utilizing respite providers from the Center’s network of providers or finding a provider of their own.
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Supported Employment Services assist people who want to work in their community. These services are available in both the Center’s Adult Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Networks.
Individual supports are built on consumer participation in person directed planning. Specific supports might include: employment planning; job development; job matching; job coaching (both in and outside of the workplace); assistance with job accommodations; ongoing support to maintain a job; development of natural supports; skill building for resume writing, interviewing, networking, effective communication, problem-solving and self-advocacy.
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Individualized coordination for consumers is provided through an assigned Service Coordinator. Service Coordinators assist individuals in gaining access to medical, social, educational and other appropriate services that will help them achieve quality of life and a level of community participation acceptable to each individual.
Service Coordinators support and assist individuals in achieving personal goals through screening and assessment, service planning and coordination, resource authorization, advocacy, monitoring and crisis intervention, as necessary. Services are comprehensive and individualized, and are provided at a frequency and intensity necessary to maintain successful community living.
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