Changes to DDA Enrollment Criteria: Coming October 2024
House Bill 2008 was passed in June 2022, requiring the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration to stop using intelligent quotients, better known as IQ, to determine DDA enrollment. Beginning Oct. 7, 2024, they will no longer use IQ to determine enrollment. DDA will rely on diagnosis and adaptive functioning only for enrollment eligibility.
Other changes made to DDA eligibility include:
- Enrollment for all qualifying conditions* is now available from birth to 3.
- Age of onset before 18 is now for all qualifying conditions
- The list of accepted adaptive assessments
- Expansion of the list of people who can make a diagnosis:
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For some conditions, and under specific circumstances, DDA can accept diagnoses from the Center of Excellence, naturopathic doctors, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Additionally, a geneticist can diagnose another neurological or a condition similar to ID.
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Diagnoses from before October 7th by a qualified diagnostician can be used.
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*Qualifying conditions are defined as Developmental Delays, Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Autism, and other neurological or other conditions similar to Intellectual Disability.
Changes to diagnosis criteria (Effective October 7th, 2024)
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DDA now accepts autism diagnoses from a COE, ND, ARNP, or PA affiliated with an autism or developmental center.
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DDA now accepts cerebral palsy diagnoses from an ND, PA, or ARNP associated with neurological practice.
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DDA now accepts developmental delay diagnoses from a ND, ARNP, or PA.
You, the applicant, are responsible for providing the information required to determine DDA eligibility.
How long does it take to complete a determination of eligibility through DDA?
DDA has up to 30 days from receiving the final requested documentation to decide if you are eligible.
To apply to be a DDA client, submit a Service and Information Request. To learn more visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/consumers-and-families/eligibility.
If you need help contact your local DDA office. To find your local office visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-locations.
Video From the DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN_8KDLeYw4
