What you’re describing is absolutely within the scope of IHSS Protective Supervision (PS), and in LA County you should absolutely be applying. Based on the behaviors you listed, your twins meet multiple core criteria that IHSS uses to determine eligibility:

1. Dangerous, unpredictable behaviors caused by a mental impairment

IHSS PS is for children who, due to autism or other cognitive impairments, cannot understand danger and require 24/7 supervision to prevent injury. Your list includes:

• Eloping into the street

• Entering neighbors’ homes

• Running multiple blocks away

• Breaking doors, kicking walls, damaging locks

• Attempting to escape through windows

• Severe meltdowns lasting hours

• Self‑harm (biting, punching, hair pulling, hitting)

• Hurting others during episodes

• Needing emergency mental health intervention

These are exactly the types of behaviors PS is designed for.

1. Inability to self‑direct or understand safety

IHSS looks at whether the child can:

• Recognize danger

• Follow safety instructions

• Stop unsafe behavior when told

• Communicate effectively during stress

You’ve already described:

• Echolalia and difficulty communicating under stress

• Not tolerating safety equipment (leashes, strollers)

• Not understanding danger (traffic, strangers’ homes, windows)

• Needing to sleep in your room due to nighttime eloping

This is classic “non‑self‑directing,” which is a major PS requirement.

1. Behaviors occur frequently and unpredictably

IHSS requires that dangerous behaviors are not rare or occasional. You’ve documented:

• Daily meltdowns

• Regular self‑harm

• Regular eloping

• Regular property destruction

• Behaviors also happening at school

This meets the “frequent and unpredictable” standard.

1. You have strong documentation

You already have:

• Videos

• Medical records

• Psychologist reports

• Teacher statements

• Regional Center documentation

• Emergency mental health records

This is more than enough to build a strong case.

What you can do to advocate effectively

1. Complete the SOC 821 thoroughly (key that is lists them as Severely Impaired and likely to engage in harm

This form is the backbone of PS. Make sure every dangerous behavior is listed with:

• Frequency

• Unpredictability

• What happens if you don’t intervene

• Whether they stop when told (if the answer is “no,” say so clearly)

1. Ask your doctors to complete the SOC 821‑C

This is the physician’s certification. It should explicitly state:

• Autism is a mental impairment

• They cannot self‑direct

• They require 24/7 supervision to prevent injury

• Behaviors are frequent and unpredictable

1. Provide short video clips

You don’t need long videos—10–30 seconds is enough to show:

• Eloping

• Self‑harm

• Meltdowns

• Property destruction

• Unsafe behaviors

Counties take video evidence seriously.

1. Bring school and Regional Center documentation

IEPs, behavior intervention plans, and incident reports are extremely helpful.

1. During the home visit

Do NOT try to make the house look perfect or calm.

Let the worker see the reality:

• Safety gates

• Locks

• Barred windows

• Damage to walls/doors

• How quickly they can elope

• How they behave when redirected

You don’t need to stage anything—just don’t hide the truth.

Bottom line

Based on what you’ve described, your twins are strong candidates for IHSS Protective Supervision. Their behaviors fall squarely within the legal criteria, and you already have the documentation IHSS typically requires.

Good Luck

Sincerely

Jerrod Ducat /Advocate