Director’s Column
State to Serve New Disability
APD to Assist Those with Phelan-McDermid SyndromeBy Director Barbara Palmer
Today, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities will begin serving individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. During the Legislative Session, Phelan-McDermid syndrome was added to the list of developmental disabilities served by APD beginning July 1. The other disabilities served by the agency are cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, severe autism, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome.
In the Florida First Budget for Fiscal Year 2016-2017, Governor Rick Scott and the Legislature included $2.5 million to offer APD waiver enrollment to approximately 55 people from throughout Florida with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. The waiver offers 26 services that help individuals with disabilities remain in their homes and participate in their communities as much as possible.
We are very excited about being able to help additional people receive the services they require. I thank Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for their leadership and support of individuals with disabilities in our state. We look forward to welcoming those with Phelan-McDermid syndrome onto our Medicaid waiver so they receive all the services they need to remain in the community.
The 2016 International Family Conference for Phelan-McDermid syndrome will be held in Florida at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on July 20 through 23. For more information, visit www.pmsf.org or call 941-485-8000.
Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare disability. Children are born with a specific chromosomal abnormality. Although the range and severity of symptoms may vary, Phelan-McDermid syndrome is generally characterized by low muscle tone, absent to severely delayed speech, moderate to profound intellectual disability, minor malformed or misshapen features, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and epilepsy.
It is important for the state to meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. Individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome require intensive support and now APD will be able to help meet their needs.
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