Autism Society of America Lehigh Valley Chapter

WelcomeTo ASA-LV
Autism Information
Important Notices
FAQs
Contact ASA-LV
Quick Reference Phone #s
Officers & Committees
Letter from the President
Membership
Subgroups
Aspergers (aka SEAS)
Teens & Young Adults
Children Under 13
Autism & Down syndrome
Meetings & Events
ASA_LV Online Groups
Newsletter
Organizing Your Records
Autism Awareness Items
Make A Donation
Pay It Forward
Grants & Scholarships
Volunteer Opportunities
Member Recommendations
New to Autism?
Research
Advocacy/BHRS
Related Organizations
What's Coming Up..
Sports for Our Kids
Would you know it? Photos
Conferences & Workshops
Walk Now For Autism
Laws/Updates
Bullying

LVASA Teen/Young Adult Group

 

Next Event Saturday July 25:

 
BOWLING: Continues on Monday nights at 6:30 at Mountainville Bowling Lanes, S. 4th Allentown, behind Mountainville Shopping Center. $2 per game. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun. We bowl 1 or 2 games which includes use of a house ball and bowling shoes. Ramps and bumpers are available. This event is not limited to just the teens. Bring your family and friends and join in on the fun.
Note: Bowling will still continue each week even though the  Teen/Young Adult meetings are on hold for August and the beginning of September
 
July 25: (2 PM – 4PM)
Topic: In door activities: Crafts, games, Karioke, Wii bowling
PLACE: ARCH of LV (1347 Hausman Road, Allentown)
No August or early September meetings. Start again on September 19, 2009


RSVP: Mimi Ludwig – mlludwig@ptd.net or  (610)778–1016        
Note: Parents/caregivers must stay at the meeting for all activities.
 
We would like to start a photo album of past events and have the teens put the album together.  If anyone has photos, please bring them to the meetings, or if you have photos on your computers or cameras, send them by email to Joanne at jojo4146@hotmail.com or Mimi at mlludwig@ptd.net and we will have them printed. 

 



COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
BUREAU OF AUTISM SERVICES
www.autisminpa.org


Important Consumer Update - June 2009
 
v    The Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) continues to take requests for applications for the Adult Autism Waiver
v    The Waiver has Participants enrolled and receiving services across the Commonwealth
 
The Adult Autism Waiver was created to serve adults age 21 and over residing in Pennsylvania with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Consumer Applications can be requested by calling                1-866-539-7689         and following the prompts.
 
The services covered under the waiver are:
Assistive Technology, Behavioral Specialist Services, Community Inclusion, Community Transition Services, Day Habilitation, Environmental Modifications, Family Counseling, Family Training, Job Assessment, Job Finding, Nutritional Consultation, Residential Habilitation, Respite, Supported Employment, Temporary Crisis Services, Therapies (Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy) and Transitional Work Services
 
v    Medical Assistance eligibility rules are different for individuals who meet the Level of Care determination for the Waiver
 
Some people have been concerned that they have previously been denied Medical Assistance, and therefore, they will not be eligible for the Waiver.  If the individual is 21, has a diagnosis of an ASD, and lives in Pennsylvania, they are encouraged to request an application even if they have been denied Medical Assistance in the past.  Participants in waivers are allowed a higher income and resource limit than is allowed for regular Medical Assistance.
 
v    Adults with a diagnosis of an ASD can receive services from this Waiver with or without a diagnosis of MR
 
An ASD diagnosis is a requirement to be eligible for the Adult Autism Waiver.  The individual can have other diagnoses (or only an ASD diagnosis) whether or not ASD is considered primary or secondary.  The services are designed to meet the needs of adults with autism.  A supports coordinator, chosen by the participant, will help to make sure that all of the challenges a person faces will be considered when a plan for services is made.
 
v    It is very important to provide meaningful provider choice to  Waiver Participants


v    There are providers in every county in Pennsylvania and the list of enrolled agencies grows every day
 
We take pride in developing a large network of providers so that from the most urban to the most rural area in Pennsylvania, our Participants have access to the services they need.  BAS staff talks every day with new providers interested in the process of enrolling.  Ask your Provider if they are enrolled.  Providers who need more information should be encouraged to call the toll free number or use one of the other contact methods listed below.
 
Anyone who has a question, or concern please contact the Waiver Staff by phone 1-866-539-7689 or visit our website at
www.autisminpa.org or email us by clicking here Click here- Contact the Bureau of Autism Services or the link on the website home page.

    
The Waiver staff is interested in your questions and concerns, and uses this information to help improve our program.  All inquires will be addressed by a BAS staff person promptly.  Another school year has come to an end for children and adolescents in ASD in Pennsylvania.  For many of you, your older adolescent, age 17 and older, will complete their education in 1 to 3 years or already has! 

 

If your family member with ASD is age 17+, we invite you to join FamiliesOfAdultsAutism-ASAPhilly at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FamiliesOfAdultsAutism-ASAphilly/

 

Click on "Join this group," and expect to receive in your mailbox, further instructions on how to join this group.  This listserv is not limited to SE Pennsylvania. Family members who are residents in other parts of Pennsylvania are invited to join.

 

Many of us feel like we are starting all over, trying to understand how to navigate the system of services for adults with ASD, which will hopefully be more available. There is a tremendous need to have providers who are trained and qualified to serve adults with ASD.  At the same time, we are very concerned about how budget cuts will impact on our adult children, whose entitlements end.

 

We look forward to hearing from interested family members.

Thank you,
Ambry Ward



Yahoo Group for Families Of Adult Autism

 

The Yahoo Group for FamiliesOfAdultAutism-ASAPhilly is restricted to families who kive in PA, whose older adolescent children are age 17+. We don't want folks to feel that this is only for ASA Philly.  We feel that there is a need for family members to have their own place for discussions regarding "adults with ASD" in PA, so this group was created.  In a matter of time, there will be increasingly more adolescents reaching the age of 17/18.  We have members from counties outside SE PA.  

 

The focus of the group is on issues that impact adults with ASD. It would be best for family members who fit the membership criteria to join the group, in order to benefit from what other members have to offer, in terms of their own experiences and knowledge.  Click on the link below and join today!

 

FamiliesOfAdultsAutism


Contact ASA_LV regarding transition issues:

* First name (required):

* Last name (required):
* E-mail address (required):

Phone number:
* Message (required):