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Q: What is the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults (SIS-A ®) 2nd Edition assessment?
The SIS-A is an assessment tool developed and maintained by the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The SIS-A provides high-quality data that helps inform the Person-Centered Planning process for the individual who takes it. It also provides State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) with support information for the design of innovative service options through the new Lifespan Waiver.
Q: How does the SIS-A measure support needs?
The SIS-A assesses the support needs of people with IDD or autism. It has been in use since 2004. The SIS-A® focuses on what support a person needs to fully participate in community life. This includes taking care of personal needs, work activities or volunteering, housekeeping, maintaining relationships, and being an active part of their community. It also asks about a person’s medical and behavioral support needs.
Q: How could the SIS-A assessment be beneficial for you?
Information gathered during this free assessment and the conversations between the youth being assessed and their team will help identify the persons’ support needs and allow for planning to achieve goals and desired outcomes. The assessments will also help OADS to create new service innovations that will support Mainers. These innovations are focused on different support needs through the new Lifespan Waiver.
Q: Who should participate in the SIS-A assessment?
It’s preferred but not required that the person being assessed is present for the assessment. Accommodation can be made if the individual can only attend part of the assessment. It should also include two people who have known the person being assessed for at least 3 months and can accurately speak to the person’s support needs in a variety of life areas. In addition to the person being assessed, attendees can be family members, friends, teachers, direct support, or staff from residential or day service providers. The case manager should also attend.
Q: Who performs the assessment?
In order to have an objective and unbiased entity conducting the SIS-A, the State partners with Maximus Inc. to manage the administration of SIS-A assessment interviews in Maine. Each assessment is conducted by a trained SIS Assessor who has passed an approved AAIDD certification process. Assessors have experience working with individuals with IDD/autism and are knowledgeable on how to request and verify information from respondents.
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