Who Do We Serve?

CARD serves children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism spectrum disorder (including autism, Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified); an autistic-like disability (documented on an evaluation that describes the characteristics that are being considered "autistic-like" by the evaluator); a dual sensory impairment; or a sensory impairment with other disabilities. It is a requirement of the legislation that created CARD that we have documentation of a qualifying diagnosis in order for an individual to receive our services. For children aged 0 to 5 years, we accept a developmental disability diagnosis with documented evidence of autistic-like behaviors.

Any document from the following list of examples can be accepted as documented evidence of a qualifying diagnosis:

• Most recent report written by a licensed mental or medical health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, pediatrician, physician, neurologist, or a neuropsychologist)
• Most recent report written by the school evaluation team (school psychologist, diagnostician)
• Most recent multidisciplinary team report from an early intervention program
• Most recent Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) - children 0 to 3 years of age
• Most recent Individual Educational Plan (IEP) - individuals 3 years to 22 years of age if the IEP shows the child being served has autism.

The following documents will not be accepted:

• A diagnosis written on a prescription pad
• Treatment notes from hospital or physician visits
• Therapy evaluations or treatment notes
• Letter from doctor that does not specify characteristics on the autism spectrum that lead to a diagnosis.