The Office uses the definition of autism codified in
34-B MRSA §6002.
Autism refers to a developmental disorder characterized by a lack of
responsiveness to other people, gross impairment in communicative skills and
unusual responses to various aspects of the environment, all usually developing
within the first 30 months of age. In addition, for purposes of this rule, an
adult person with autism is one:
1.
Whose diagnosis, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fourth Edition (American Psychiatric Association) is within the
category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, including Autistic Disorder,
Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, or
Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified; and manifested
during the developmental period, (Developmental period is defined as age
eighteen (18) years or younger).and
2. Who has been assessed as having an
adaptive behavior score at least two standard deviations below the mean as
measured by an adaptive behavior scale as described below. The office will
require an adaptive behavioral scale test that has been completed within two
years of the date of eligibility determination and reserves the right to
request further testing.
3. 2. 1.
Assessment Tools. Only the following assessment tools shall be
used to determine a person's adaptive behavior score: Adaptive Behavior
Assessment System (2d ed., known as ABAS-II), the Vineland Adaptive Behavior
Scales (2d ed., known as Vineland-II), or other substantially similar
assessment tool as approved by the Office. Adaptive behavior shall be assessed
using one of these tools in the context of a clinical interview where, as
deemed clinically necessary, the examiner is able to evaluate responses from
one or more participants in the testing environment. Testing must occur in the
least restrictive setting available.
3. 2. 2.
Assessment Process. The
intake process described in 34-B MRSA §5467 shall be followed. In addition, as
part of the assessment process, the office will establish an advisory committee
whose members shall be appointed by the Office Director as follows:
1. One member who is a employee of the Office
of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities who shall act as the
committee chair;
2. One member who
is not an employee of the Department and is a psychologist who has a working
background in the testing and treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders,
is licensed to practice in Maine and meets the requirements to perform a
comprehensive evaluation as set out in 34-B MRSA §5468; and
3. One member who is not an employee or
provider with the department for any other service, is a professional with
knowledge of clinical evaluation standards, testing protocols and eligibility
criteria and has a working background in the testing and treatment of Pervasive
Developmental Disorders.
When requested by the office, this committee shall render an
opinion, at any time, on an application for eligibility by reviewing the
complete record, including the intake record, and all evaluation and test
results. The committee may request additional information or testing. The
committee may provide opinions or concerns regarding the tests and evaluations
reviewed. The committee shall provide its opinions in a written report to the
office.
