Addressing the Needs and Enhancing the Lives of Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in South Carolina

The primary objective of the Autism Division within SC DDSN is to address the needs and improve the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the state. The division focuses on promoting early intervention, diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals with autism and their families.

By pursuing these primary objectives, SC DDSN’s Autism Division aims to create an inclusive society that recognizes and supports the diverse abilities and potential of individuals with autism.

Primary Objectives:

1. Eligibility Evaluation: ensuring the timely and accurate eligibility evaluation of autism in children and adults. This objective involves collaborating with healthcare professionals, educators, and families to identify individuals with autism at an early stage.
2. Advocacy and Awareness: raising awareness about autism spectrum disorder and advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals diagnosed with autism in all aspects of society. This includes promoting understanding and acceptance of autism within the community.
3. Resource Identification: disseminating a range of support services information for individuals diagnosed with autism and their families. This includes counseling, therapy, vocational training, respite care, and social support networks to enhance the well-being and independence of individuals with autism.
4. Collaborating and Partnership: collaborating with community organizations, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and other government agencies to foster partnerships that promote a coordinated and comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism. This includes sharing resources, expertise, and best practices to optimize the outcomes for individuals diagnosed with autism.

Scheduling an Eligibility Evaluation:

The SC DDSN Autism Division’s team of eligibility evaluators are committed to providing accurate and comprehensive eligibility evaluations. All eligibility evaluations for individuals aged 2-20 are completed by Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist and meet the South Carolina Medicaid standard for autism assessments. There are two assessment methods available, Record Review or Evaluation.

• A record review is a review of submitted records. The documentation must contain a clinical interview, behavioral observations, autism-specific diagnostic tools, reason for the assessment, a diagnosis from the DSM and be completed by a licensed psychologist, Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist, developmental pediatrician, or a DDSN Autism Evaluator.
• An evaluation takes place at a Regional Eligibility Office by an evaluator. Together with the individual and their family, the evaluator works to complete a clinical interview, ADOS or CARS, standardized measure of intelligence, behavioral observation, and diagnosis from the current edition of the DSM.

Individuals can begin the autism eligibility screening process by phone, toll-free: 1-800-289-7012, 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. 

Eligibility evaluations can be conducted for individuals aged 3 years and older.

Locations:

• Midlands Autism Eligibility Office
  • 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203>
  • 803-935-5090
• Whitten Autism Eligibility Office
  • 28373 Highway 76 East, Clinton, SC 29325
  • 803-935-5090
• Pee Dee Autism Eligibility Office
  • 714 National Cemetery Road, Florence, SC
  • 843-832-5561
• Coastal Autism Eligibility Office
  • 9995 Miles Jamison Road, Summerville, SC 29485
  • 843-832-5561

For additional resources, click here.

Stephanie Turner, Director
Autism Division
Stephanie.Turner@ddsn.sc.gov

Division Links
Service Overview

Eligibility and Evaluation

Helpful Links

Autism Division Contact Information