APD Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Disabilities Covered By APD Florida

You can apply for services through one of the APD regional offices if you have one of the following disabilities, (for resources at the end of this post):

Autism
Cerebral palsy
Spina bifida
Intellectual disabilities
Down syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
Phelan Mcdermid syndrome
Children age 3-5 who are at a high risk of a developmental disability

What is Autism

Autism means a pervasive, neurologically based developmental disability of extended duration which causes severe learning, communication, and behavior disorders with age of onset during infancy or childhood. Individuals with autism exhibit impairment in reciprocal social interaction, impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication and imaginative ability, and a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests. A diagnosis of autism may be made by licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists, or developmental pediatricians who have specific training and experience in making such diagnosis.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy means a group of disabling symptoms of extended duration which results from damage to the developing brain that may occur before, during, or after birth and that results in the loss or impairment of control over voluntary muscles. For the purposes of this definition, cerebral palsy does not include those symptoms or impairments resulting solely from a stroke. Diagnosis is confirmed by written documentation from either a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or other medical records documenting a diagnosis of cerebral palsy before the age of 18.

What is Spina Bifida?

Spina Bifida: Individuals with Spina Bifida have a medical diagnosis of spina bifida cystica or myelomeningocele. Diagnosis is confirmed by written documentation from either a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or medical records that document a diagnosis of spina bifida cystica or myelomeningocele before the age of 18.

What is Intellectual Disability?

Intellectual Disability: Individuals with intellectual disabilities have significantly sub average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior which manifest before the age of 18 and can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely. This is evidenced by IQ scores below 70, along with severe deficits in adaptive functioning as measured on standardized tests. Intellectual disabilities are determined by licensed psychologists.

What is Prader-Willi Syndrome?

Prader-Willi syndrome: Prader-Willi syndrome means an inherited condition typified by neonatal hypotonia with failure to thrive, hyperphagia or an excessive drive to eat which leads to obesity usually at 18 to 36 months of age, mild to moderate intellectual disability, hypogonadism, short stature, mild facial dysmorphism, and a characteristic neurobehavior. Diagnosis is confirmed by written documentation from either a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, medical records that document a diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome before the age of 18.

What is Phelan Mcdermid Syndrome?

Phelan-McDermid syndrome: Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare disability. Children are born with a specific chromosomal abnormality. Although the range and severity of symptoms may vary, Phelan-McDermid syndrome is generally characterized by low muscle tone, absent to severely delayed speech, moderate to profound intellectual disability, minor malformed or misshapen features, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and epilepsy.

How to Apply

Apply For Medicaid Waiver – iBudget FL

Sources: APD Florida, CDC, & MedicaidWaiver.org

To be eligible for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, you must be a Florida resident. Contact information for each office can be found by clicking on the map located at http://apdcares.org/region/.

If you are NOT in Florida, go to MedicaidWaiver.org to find your state.

APD Florida Contact Information

Phone: (850) 488-4257
Toll-Free: 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273)
Fax: (850) 922-6456
Email: APD.info@apdcares.org

To apply for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), submit an application to one of the local APD offices either by mail or in person. The waiting list is years long. Always make sure that your contact information is current and correct with APD.