Autism Services to be Discussed at Aug. 20 Task Force Meeting

 

North Dakota’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force will meet Monday, Aug. 20, from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Central Time to discuss services and supports for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, including access and usage.

The task force meeting is open to the public and will be held via video conference originating from the department’s Prairie Hills Plaza – Prairie Room, 1237 W. Divide Ave., Bismarck. Attendees should enter through Door 2 facing Divide Avenue.

Department representatives will brief members on the current participation in autism spectrum disorder services and related expenditures, the status of the state’s Medicaid Autism Waiver renewal, and Autism Voucher Program survey results. Work groups will provide updates and discuss the state plan, and members will discuss services to children and families in rural areas and the state’s Medicaid Telemedicine Policy.

Members will discuss ways to improve access to services, including ideas for enhancing program eligibility determination training and the application form. They will also review and discuss the service capacity of autism service providers and funding for the annual autism spectrum disorder training conference for professionals and parents. In addition, North Dakota State University Doctor of Nurse Practice Student Trevor Stavig will share his clinical dissertation regarding autism spectrum disorders.