Intellectual and Developmental

What is an intellectual or developmental disability?

• Substantial functional limitations:  long term inability to significantly perform an activity or task.
• Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning:  full scale IQ score of 70 or less, based on assessment that includes 1 or more individually administered standardized intelligence tests developed for the purpose of assessing intellectual functioning.

Substantial functional limitations and significantly sub-average intellectual functioning exists concurrently with demonstrated deficits in adaptive behavior.

• Deficits in adaptive behavior: significant limitation in a person’s effectiveness in meeting the standards of maturation, personal independence and social responsibility expected for the person’s age level and cultural group, as determined by clinical assessment and, generally, standardized scales.
• All conditions are manifested before the person’s 22nd birthday.

People that meet this criteria have a diagnosis of Mild, Moderate, Severe, or Profound Intellectual or Developmental Disability.  

Questions we ask when we are determining if someone is eligible for IDD Services:

• Is the IQ score 70 or below? 
• Was the condition present prior to the person’s 22nd birthday? If no…
• Is there another condition is present? If so, we then determine if there is a related condition…

What is a related condition?

If you have an IQ that is greater than 70, you may still be eligible for IDD services with a related condition. A related condition is a diagnosis of severe, chronic disability that meets all of the following conditions: 

1. Is found to be closely related to developmental disability because the condition results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with IDD and requires treatment or services similar to those required for persons with IDD.
2. Is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age.
3. Is likely to continue indefinitely.
4. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

• Self-care
• Understanding and use of language
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-direction
• Capacity for Independent Living

Common related conditions diagnoses include, but are not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Seizure Disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Assessment Requirements for Intellectual and Developmental (IDD) Eligibility

A formal assessment is reviewed to determine IDD eligibility. These are often referred to as diagnostic assessments, psychological evaluations, or neuropsychological evaluations. Formal assessments must be administered by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, certified school psychologist, licensed neuropsychologist, or certified psychometrist. We are happy to provide you with some resources on where to find this required assessment! 

Please note, a diagnosis made by a family physician or medical doctor (MD) will not be accepted; we are required to review formal diagnostic assessments. Additionally, assessment or IDD service requirements in other states may differ from the requirements in Minnesota!

We will review any testing you already have, but you may need have to pursue additional testing in order to meet IDD service eligibility requirements in Minnesota.  

Eligibility for Children under the age of 5

There are three ways that children under the age of five may be determined to be eligible for IDD services. The formal assessment must have been completed in the past 12 months.

1. Has formal assessment scores that are at least two standard deviations below the mean in two areas of global functioning. One area must be “cognitive” or a “mental” score and must be at risk of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.  
2. Has been assessed and diagnosed as having Global Developmental Delays
3. The child has a Related Condition and treatment is required similar to that of a child with IDD.

Eligibility for Children over the age of 5

1. The formal assessment indicates a full scale IQ of 70 or lower OR a diagnosis of a Related Condition. The formal assessment must have been completed in the last 12 months.
2. The Related Condition must have adaptive skills testing that indicates significant deficits, as well as requires active treatment and services similar to that of a child with IDD.  Many times this looks like an adaptive composite score of 70 or below. (Please note: A teacher interview may be required if the person is currently enrolled in school.)
3. A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) must be diagnosed and documented in a formal assessment completed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, licensed neuropsychologist, or certified psychometrist. An educational diagnosis of ASD alone will not be accepted. This means you may have to make arrangements for additional testing outside of the educational setting. We can provide you potential resources of where to get accepted testing.

Adults over the age of 18

1. Adults who have a diagnosis of IDD (full scale IQ of 70 or less) or a Related Condition (see above).
2. The diagnosis must be manifested, or believed to have started, before the age of 22.
3. Formal assessments must be current, but we are willing to review any assessments you have. If a formal assessment has never been completed, testing must be attempted and document either an IDD diagnosis or a Related Condition. 

To apply for Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Services, call 651-430-6484. You will be asked for some basic information over the phone, to determine if you may meet the criteria listed above. An application packet can be mailed to you or you are able to access those forms below:

• IDD Informational Guide (PDF)
• IDD Application Checklist for Applying for Rule 185 Case Management (PDF)
• IDD Application for Rule 185 Case Management (PDF)
• IDD Physical Exam Form (PDF)
• Application for Social Services (PDF)

At the same time, you will be referred for a MnCHOICES Assessment, which is a required part of the IDD Application process. When you return the IDD Application packet, an intake social worker may contact you to discuss the need for any further information. If eligible for services, you will be notified by letter, and an ongoing case manager will be assigned. The case manager will partner with you to identify and help support your outcomes, dreams, and needs by assuring the continuity of services and supports.

Submit information:

• Fax:  "ATTN: IDD Intake" at 651-430-6527
• Email Developmental Disabilities:
  (include "IDD Application Information" on the subject line)
• Mail:
  Washington County Community Services
  ATTN: Jane Fellerer/IDD Intake 
  P.O. Box 30, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN  55082