What should I do if I think my child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Schedule an appointment with your child’s Arkansas Medicaid assigned primary care physician (PCP) to discuss your concerns about his or her development. Your child’s PCP will observe your child and conduct appropriate developmental screens to identify whether your child should receive an autism diagnostic evaluation.  If your child’s PCP determines an autism diagnostic evaluation is appropriate, your PCP will refer you to the clinicians who can conduct the evaluation.

How Does my Child Receive an ASD Diagnosis?

An autism diagnosis requires the agreement of at least two (2) of the three (3) following types of licensed clinicians:  physician, psychologist, and speech-language pathologist.

If your child’s Arkansas Medicaid assigned PCP determines an autism diagnostic evaluation is appropriate, the PCP will refer you to one of the following:

• A developmental center specializing in ASD that will perform a team autism diagnostic evaluation consisting of multiple clinician types; or

• A licensed psychologist or speech pathologist with expertise in the diagnosis of ASD.

If a developmental center team evaluation is performed, then the team alone can issue a qualifying autism diagnosis. If the autism diagnostic evaluation is performed by a licensed psychologist or speech pathologist, then your child’s PCP (or if your assigned PCP is not a physician, another physician with knowledge of your child) must review the licensed psychologist or speech pathologist’s evaluation report and agree with the autism diagnosis.

The following are some current developmental centers specializing in ASD where your child’s PCP can make a referral to perform a team autism diagnostic evaluation:

What Medicaid Services are Available to my Child with an ASD Diagnosis?

Autism Waiver

The Autism Waiver provides intensive one-on-one intervention services in your child’s home, school, church, park, or other natural environments, and actively involves you or other caregivers in the implementation of your child’s treatment plan.

Children must have an autism diagnosis and be between the ages of eighteen (18) months and five (5) years of age to enroll in the Autism Waiver.  A child must begin receiving services prior to their 5^th birthday and may receive a maximum of three (3) years of Autism Waiver services.  There is typically a waitlist for an Autism Waiver slot.

• Click here for more information on the Autism Waiver:  Autism Waiver Detailed Fact Sheet

• Click here for more information on how to apply: Arkansas Autism Partnership (AAP) – University of Arkansas Partners

Applied behavior analysis therapy services (ABA therapy)

ABA therapy teaches children how to manage their behaviors, allowing them to learn and develop new skills and improve social interactions in their day-to-day activities at home, school, and in the community. 

ABA therapy services are available to qualifying children with an autism diagnosis who are between eighteen (18) months and twenty-one (21) years of age and enrolled in the Children’s Health Services (EPSDT) program. Discuss obtaining an ABA therapy evaluation referral from your child’s PCP if you believe that your child would benefit from ABA therapy services. 

PCPs and ABA therapy providers can review the entire process for ABA therapy service qualification at the following link: ABA Therapy Process

Additional information regarding other services available to eligible children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delays can be found here: Services for Children with DD/ID Needs – Arkansas Department of Human Services

If a you have any additional questions regarding any of the above autism services or any other services available to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delays, then you can reach out to the DDS Intake and Referral Unit at (501) 683-5687, or submit an online referral at the following: Referral Intake. A DDS Intake and Referral Specialist will reach out to you within 24 hours.