Many children in New York with developmental disabilities, including autistic children, need help with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, eating, moving safely, and toileting. A certified home health aide can provide that care at home — and in many cases, a family member or friend can be the one to provide it.
On this page we discuss home care services that developmentally disabled children may receive in addition to the services they receive through the OPWDD Waiver. These services help with activities of daily living and are covered by Medicaid.
A child can receive this care while remaining fully enrolled in the OPWDD Waiver — there's no need to choose between them. The two work side by side.
Children can receive care from a certified home health aide (HHA), who provides help with activities of daily living (ADLs):
Children may also receive therapy services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
New York State eligibility guidelines specifically mention the following disabilities:
Not sure if your child's diagnosis qualifies? Call us — we'll help you find out.
To move forward with the OPWDD application, these are the documents we'll need to submit. Don't worry if you don't have everything yet — we'll help you track down what's missing.
If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Call us at (929) 333-3955 or email info@ameliahomecareny.com — we're happy to walk you through it.
Most family members and close friends can become the certified home health aide who cares for your child — someone your child already trusts, instead of a stranger at the door.
Every caregiver — family or not — must be a certified Home Health Aide. That's what New York requires, and it's what makes the care genuinely skilled. Amelia connects your family member to a state-approved training program, pays for the certification course, and handles the paperwork. And if no one in your family is able to certify, we'll send a trained home attendant from our own team.
See if your family qualifiesThese home care services are covered by Medicaid.
No. These services complement services provided by the OPWDD Waiver but are covered by Medicaid separately — not under the OPWDD Waiver.
No. You can access these services while remaining enrolled in the OPWDD Waiver. These services complement services provided by the OPWDD Waiver but are covered by Medicaid separately.
New York State eligibility guidelines specifically mention the following disabilities: intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, neurological impairment, familial dysautonomia, Prader-Willi syndrome, and autism.
Children can receive care from a certified home health aide (HHA). Home health aides provide help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, transferring (mobility), and toileting. Children may also receive services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
Yes. An autistic child can receive care from a home health aide (HHA) in NYC and NY State.
Most family members and friends can be the home health aide (HHA). However, parents and guardians cannot work as the home health aide. Every caregiver must complete New York State HHA certification — Amelia connects the family member to a state-approved training program and pays for the certification course.
We can help with this service throughout New York City — all five boroughs: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island — and Westchester County.
We'll help you get home care for your child with a developmental disability — whether that means helping a family member or friend get paid as the caregiver, or sending a trained home attendant from our team.