Having a child who has developmental disabilities (DD), no matter the age of the onset of DD, can be overwhelming and challenging for parents, siblings, family, and the child with DD. The individual’s extraordinary needs due to DD usually continue throughout life.
An individual may have mild, moderate, severe, or profound developmental disabilities, which can cause each individual’s needs to be unique and differ from person to person with DD. No matter the severity of DD the child has, the child and/or their parents/family often need some level of services.
Disabilities can happen to anyone, of any age, of any social or financial status, of any race or color … even to Superman. It did happen to Superman via one of the actors who portrayed the Man of Steel, Christopher Reeve.
Developmental Disabilities Services
The Acadiana Area Human Resource District, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, is the single point of entry into the developmental disabilities services system for the Acadiana area in Louisiana.
View information on what is a developmental disability >>
DD services can be provided through 1) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), including waivers*, 2) Residental Services, or 3) No Services.
To view the list of services and to learn more about DD services, visit the AAHRD website.
HCBS is funded by Medicaid, which offers medical services to HCBS recipients. [This information was added to this op-ed on February 26, 2025]
HCBS, waivers*, and services for an individual with DD may depend on the level of care needed, eligibility, funding, and availability.
Appropriate Services and Funding
Appropriate services and care, free from abuse and neglect, are needed for those with DD, and assistance must be provided for their parents to take care of their child (whether a child or of adult age) with DD. Those with DD are some of Louisiana’s most vulnerable citizens. Helping to take care of Louisiana’s most vulnerable citizens is what we, as a civilized state and country, should do.
DD services are funded through various programs and governments, including the State of Louisiana and federal governments.
An effort should be made to ensure that all individuals with DD and their parents know and have access to available DD services.
Regardless of the individual with DD or their parent’s choice of where care would be received, Louisiana state legislators, the governor, and bureaucrats must understand the need for services of individuals with DD and their families to provide appropriate funding in the state’s budget for DD services whether the choice for services is HCBS or ICF.
Services for those with Developmental Disabilities
Home and Community-Based Services
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are provided through various services and waiver services to assist and provide care to individuals with DD in their own home within their community.
HCBS represents a least restrictive environment (LSE) for individuals with DD. Some services are provided through waivers* under HCBS in the individual’s home within their community.
Residential Services
Residential services for individuals with DD are provided outside the individual home, including the Intermediate Care Facility for Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD) or the Intermediate Care Facility for Intellectual Disability (ICF/ID), group homes, and community homes.
No Services
Individuals with DD and/or their parents may choose not to receive DD services. The decision of the individual or their parents may be due to 1) the parents feeling that they can provide the care needed for an individual with DD, 2) the parents may want to wait until their child with DD is older, or 3) they may not be aware of the DD services and waivers* that may be potentially available to them.
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*Waivers: Medicaid could only provide long-term care for a person in a facility. In the 1980s, President Reagan heard the story of Katie Beckett, who could not receive needed services at home and had to stay hospitalized. Hence, Regan’s administration started the required waivers* for receiving care at home. (Each state has to apply for waivers*)
