The Eligibility Determination Process Kathleen Murphy, Ph.D. Director of Eligibility Connecticut Department of Developmental Services 1

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) serves individuals with an Intellectual Disability (formerly known as mental retardation) or an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Eligibility Determination Process Eligibility Determination Process 2

Eligibility Determination Process In order to be eligible for supports and services from DDS, a person must meet the following criteria: 3

Eligibility Determination Process  Be a resident of the State of Connecticut and  Have an intellectual disability as defined in Connecticut General Statutes Section §17a-210b; Subsection 1-1g. Or  Provide a medical diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), which is a neurobehavioral genetic disorder. Or  Have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 4

5 Eligibility Determination Process As of 2014, all applications for DDS eligibility are reviewed simultaneously for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Definition of Intellectual Disability More specifically, Connecticut General Statute 1-1g is the law that DDS is required to use in order to determine whether someone has an intellectual disability. An intellectual disability is defined by this statute as the following: “A significant limitation in intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior that originated during the developmental period before eighteen years of age.” 6

7 Definition of Intellectual Disability In other words, Connecticut General Statute 1-1g requires three basic criteria to be present for an individual to be determined eligible for DDS services:

Eligibility Criteria 1.A valid Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) Score of 69 or below on a test of intelligence. 8

Eligibility Criteria 2.Deficits in adaptive behavior, which means the degree to which a person is able to perform tasks of daily living that require practical, conceptual, or social skills. For example, health and safety awareness, hygiene and self- care, as well as expressive and receptive communication. Adaptive behavior is measured by tests such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, Behavior Assessment System for Children, and the Scales of Independent Behavior. 9

Eligibility Criteria 3.Documentation that deficits in intelligence and adaptive skills were present at the same time before the age of 18 years. 10

Eligibility Criteria In summary, you are being asked to submit psychological evaluations that show a valid Full Scale IQ Score of 69 or below and significant deficits in adaptive skills existing simultaneously prior to the age of 18 years. 11

Other Conditions For individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome, please submit a report from a physician that confirms the diagnosis through the use of genetic testing. 12

Required Documentation In addition to psychological evaluations, you are asked to submit the following:  a signed application  a HIPAA form  A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, medical insurance card, and social security card  the last medical examination report  the last three IEPs from the school system 13

Required Documentation Helpful Suggestion Sending all of the information together in the same envelope will lead to the fastest processing of your eligibility determination. 14

Eligibility for Services from the Autism Spectrum Division For individuals applying to the Autism Spectrum Division, in addition to the documents mentioned above, you are asked to submit an evaluation that shows the primary diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. This diagnosis must be made through a standardized test of autism, such as the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), or other similar test. 15

16 Resources This concludes our informational video. If you have specific questions regarding the DDS eligibility process please call or refer to the links provided on our website at