a handbook for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders

How do I ask for a Fair Hearing?You must ask for a Fair Hearing in writing. Send your request to:Department of Public WelfareOffice of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicesDivision of Grievances and AppealsBeechmont Building #32P.O. Box 2675Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675What information should I include in my request for a Fair Hearing?Your request for a Fair Hearing should include all of the following:Your child’s name.Your child’s Social Security number and date of birth.A phone number where you can be reached during the day.An indication if you want to have the Fair Hearing in person or by telephone.Any letter you may have received about the issue you are requesting yourFair Hearing for (provide that information).What happens after I ask for a Fair Hearing?You will get a letter from the Department of Public Welfare’s Bureau ofHearings and Appeals telling you where the hearing will be held and the dateand time of the hearing. You will receive this letter at least 10 days before thedate of the hearing.You may come to where the Fair Hearing is held or be included by phone. Afamily member, friend, lawyer, or other person may help you during the FairHearing.Community Care will also go to your Fair Hearing to explain why the decisionwas made or explain what happened. If you ask, Community Care will helpyou to file for a Fair Hearing. Community Care will give you (at no cost) therecords, reports, and other information that are relevant to your Fair Hearing.Commoncharacteristics ofAutism include:Disturbances incommunicating withothers.Repetitive orritualistic behavior.Extreme sensitivity(hypersensitivity) inone of the senses,or extremelynon-responsive(hyposensitive) toone of the senses.Selective hearingand may act asdeaf.- Page 27 -