When my daughter Millie was just 9 years old, her behavioral challenges escalated to the point where she needed a week-long inpatient stay. It was one of the most painful and overwhelming experiences our family has faced.
It wasn’t until that hospital stay that Millie was formally evaluated for autism — and finally qualified for services through Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), which is funded through Medicaid. That moment changed the course of our journey.
(Side note: Girls are often overlooked in autism assessments because they can be especially skilled at masking symptoms and appearing socially engaged.)
Through Medicaid-funded DDD services, Millie gained access to critical supports, including therapies for sensory processing, speech and communication, and emotional regulation. Before that, these needs were largely unmet. Our family was stretched to the brink — barely making it through each day. As heartbreaking as it is to say, we had serious conversations about long-term institutional care. That’s how desperate things had become.
As a parent of a child with intense behaviors, it’s easy to downplay our struggles — especially when comparing them to families facing severe medical issues. But over time, I’ve come to understand that Millie’s challenges are just as real, just as difficult, and just as deserving of support. Her needs may not involve machines or hospital stays, but they are urgent, complex, and life-changing all the same.
There is no doubt in my heart: Medicaid and DDD services have kept Millie out of the hospital and helped our family heal. They’ve provided structure, understanding, and most of all — hope.
~ Stacey Hickey