See our "Get Help" section which is filled with resources on various topics.

Autism Society of America's Local Michigan Chapters
ASA chapters are your best source of information and support. Most chapters are volunteer-led by parents, care providers, and other professionals. ASA has chapters across Michigan reaching out to individuals with autism and their families with information, support, and encouragement.

AutismSource
The AutismSource database features thousands of resources with listings in all 50 states. ASA continues to add programs and users can recommend resources to be added by following the prompts on the site. Listings include physicians, psychologists, speech, occupational and behavioral therapists, schools, camps, training programs, government agencies, and much more. To access AutismSource, click here.

Access Medicaid Waiver Programs
Under this program, a parent's income is waived when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Participants in this program receive Medicaid and Waiver services. Again, waiver services available vary between states. In Michigan, there are currently a little over 400 slots available in the Children’s Medicaid Waiver Program.

The Children's Waiver Program (CWP) is a federal entitlement program that provides Medicaid funded home and community-based services to children (under age 18) who are eligible for, and at risk of, placement into an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR).
Children with developmental disabilities and who have challenging behaviors and/or complex medical needs are served through this program.

The CWP enables children to remain in their parent's home or return to their parent's home from out-of-home placements, while receiving regular Medicaid State Plan services (i.e., case management, private duty nursing) and waiver services, regardless of their parent's income.

The waiver services include:

• family training
  
• specialty services (e.g. music, recreation, art and message therapy)
  
• community living supports
  
• transportation
  
• respite care
  
• environmental accessibility adaptations, and
  
• specialty medical equipment.
  

The program has a capacity to serve 417 children statewide. Although the program is at capacity, a waiting list is maintained, using a priority rating system to add new children to the program when openings occur.

To request more information regarding eligibility or to submit a prescreen application for the program contact your local Community Mental Health Services Program or contact Debbie Milhouse Slaine (517) 241-5757 or e-mail at Milhouse@michigan.gov.

Apply For Financial Resources/Benefits
Federal Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits - a Federal Social Security cash benefit available to someone who has contributed to the social security fund and becomes disabled. Spouses and dependent children are also eligible for benefits if the primary beneficiary becomes disabled, retires or dies. Recipients of this benefit also receive Medicare. Contact your local Social Security Offices for more information.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A Federal Social Security cash benefit available to a disabled individual who warrants financial need. A parent's income is used to determine eligibility for all applicants under the age of 18. Recipients of this benefit also receive Medicaid. Contact your local Social Security Offices for more information.

Special Needs Trust/Supplemental Needs Trust
A trust where the resources are not considered in determining eligibility for government benefits (551, Medicaid). Money in this trust can be used to supplement or augment services that Medicaid does not cover (e.g. vacations or extra therapies). Families should contact an attorney with experience in estate planning and developmental disabilities to set up such a trust.

Access a Service Coordinator/ Case Manager
Families should begin their quest for resources by obtaining a Service Coordinator, otherwise known as a Case Manager. This is an individual who assesses a family's needs and links them to available services and resources. They can help with filling out paperwork and making phone calls to agencies. Sources of funding for this service can come through Medicaid as well as Early Intervention and State Developmental Disabilities Offices.