Why are we covering the basics?

Based on community feedback received over the past two years, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas (GCDD or the Council) has shifted its focus to “back to the basics” education and information activities, while continuing to support access to leadership training, policy work, and systems change opportunities. The goal is to provide clear information about who we are and what we do, while highlighting available community-based resources and support systems that serve individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

The most repeated requests we got from community members across the state were:

• provide basic information on developmental disabilities
• inform about the existing programs, services, and supports available and how to access them
• to create/support additional regional & local opportunities to learn, connect, & work
• to prioritize access for individuals and families living in rural areas

What are developmental disabilities?

The term developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability that begins at birth, during childhood, or young adulthood and is likely to continue throughout one’s life.

Some examples are autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, sensory processing disorders, or spina bifida.

The Federal Definition of Developmental Disabilities

According to the Developmental Disabilities Act, section 102(8), “the term ‘developmental disability’ means a severe, chronic disability of an individual 5 years of age or older that:

1. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
    
2. Is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
    
3. Is likely to continue indefinitely;
    
4. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity;
   1. Self-care;
   2. Receptive and expressive language;
   3. Learning;
   4. Mobility;
   5. Self-direction;
   6. Capacity for independent living; and
   7. Economic self-sufficiency.
      
      
5. Reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, supports, or other assistance that is of lifelong or extended duration and is individually planned and coordinated, except that such term, when applied to infants and young children means individuals from birth to age 5, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.”
    
   
   
   NOTE: Links on this page will open in a new browser tab or window.
   

How common are developmental disabilities?

Over 5 million Americans are estimated to have a developmental disability. That means 17%, or 1 in 6 children aged 3-17, have one or more developmental disabilities. Find out more from the CDC by clicking this link.

According to the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, around 70,000 Arkansans live with developmental disabilities. That is about 2.26% of our state population (the Arkansas State population in 2025 was reported to be around 3.1 million, per the US Census Bureau).

Where does an individual or family start when looking for support?

Are you a parent of a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities or a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) in Arkansas?

Do you need services and supports and are not currently receiving services and supports?

The DDS Intake and Referral Unit is the best place to start. Call the helpline at 501-683-5687

or complete this form https://ardhs.my.site.com/DDSReferral/s/referral-intake 

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

DDS helps ensure Arkansans with developmental disabilities and delays get access to services to help them learn and thrive.

For Children with IDD For Adults with IDD

HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES IN ARKANSAS

Home and community-based services (HCBS) help people receive care in their own home or community. HCBS are a way for people to continue to live in their community as independently as possible, instead of receiving care in a long-term care facility. HCBS programs typically serve people who need ongoing help with everyday activities – for example: older adults, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health illnesses, and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Arkansas Medicaid has several programs that help people receive HCBS. Click here to learn more. 

DDS Frequently Asked Questions click to visit site

More to Know

Arkansas has waitlists for most Medicaid-funded programs and waivers. Call early, get yourself or your loved one on that list as soon as possible.

The DD Waiver (Adults with IDD)

Medicaid-eligible Arkansans of all ages with developmental disabilities may apply to get home- and community-based services through the Community and Employment Support Waiver, or Developmental Disability Waiver, to allow them to live in the community rather than in an institution such as a nursing home or Intermediate Care Facility. Services for this Waiver are delivered by the Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) program and include:

• Hospital services, doctor visits, personal care, specialized therapies, medications, and counseling
• Higher need services like respite, supported employment, supported living, specialized medical supplies, adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, crisis intervention, and more

The Autism Waiver (Children 18 months-5 years old)

The Autism Waiver provides intensive one-on-one intervention services in your child’s home, school, church, park, or other natural environments, and actively involves you or other caregivers in the implementation of your child’s treatment plan.

Children must have an autism diagnosis and be between the ages of eighteen (18) months and five (5) years of age to enroll in the Autism Waiver.  A child must begin receiving services prior to their 5^th birthday and may receive a maximum of three (3) years of Autism Waiver services.  There is typically a waitlist for an Autism Waiver slot.

What should I do if I think my child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Schedule an appointment with your child’s Arkansas Medicaid assigned primary care physician (PCP) to discuss your concerns about his or her development. Your child’s PCP will observe your child and conduct appropriate developmental screens to identify whether your child should receive an autism diagnostic evaluation.  

An autism diagnosis requires the agreement of at least two (2) of the three (3) following types of licensed clinicians:  physician, psychologist, and speech-language pathologist.

Learn more about the Autism Waiver in this flyer from DHS

The PASSE System (Arkansas Managed Care)

PASSE = Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity

A PASSE is a program that serves Medicaid clients with complex behavioral health, developmental, or intellectual disabilities.

There are four PASSEs that monitor their clients’ health care needs, keep them healthy, and help them reach goals.

A Medicaid client’s services are managed and reimbursed by the PASSEs if the person:

• is on the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
• is on the DD Waiver wait list and gets Medicaid state plan services
• lives in a private DD Intermediate Care Facility
• has a Behavioral Health (BH) diagnosis and needs services in addition to counseling and medication management
  
  

Learn more about the PASSE system by clicking here