What are some community resources for families?

The following is a list of resources for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Each resource offers a range of different supports and also may have specific eligibility criteria, so it is important that you contact them directly.

The most important place to contact first is your local Autism Support Center. Currently in Massachusetts there are seven support centers located across the state which offer support, resources and referral information, parent trainings and workshops, and specialized programs for children, teens and young adults at no membership costs (please see below for locations and contact information). These centers are often staffed by people who have a child with an ASD, and they are there to explain what services and supports your child and family can benefit from. Call and introduce yourself and your child, ask to be put on their mailing lists, and tell them you would like to do an "intake" for services. Many of these centers also offer support groups and information sessions that can be very helpful to families.

The Support Center staff can also explain the benefits of applying for government funds and assistance through the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities (formerly known as DMR). In Massachusetts, DDS is the agency that provides a wide array of services and supports to children under 18 years old with autism or other conditions. Currently, there are two types of services you can apply for within DDS if your child has an ASD:

1) The DDS"Autism Spectrum Division" only program, which means that your child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Most children who qualify for these services do not also have mental retardation, global developmental delays or significant functional impairment, and therefore do not qualify for family supports. Under this program, you and your child will be able to access community-based recreational, social, and therapeutic programs that are individually coordinated by the Autism Support Centers. These programs are of no or minimal cost to your family. Also note that each center raises private funds so they might coordinate other programs that do have participation fees.

For more information about the DDS Autism Spectrum Division, contact Cariann Harsh at (617) 624-7769 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2) The "Dual Eligibility" for Family Support Services/Service Coordination program, which is for children who have an autism spectrum disorder, along with mental retardation, global developmental delay and impaired levels of functioning in at least three areas: self-care, communication, learning, mobility, self-direction and (for age 14 and older) capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency. A DDS team will review your child's documentation, and if he/she is found eligible, will assign a service coordinator from your DDS local office to your family. Under this program, your family might receive annual "respite"/flexible family support funds or other supports based upon need and where you live.

For information about the DDS eligibility guidelines and to download the application, go to www.mass.gov/DDS or call (617) 727-5608. Fill out the application form and send to your Regional Eligibility office coordinator (located on the website under "find a DDS office"). You will be contacted for a face to face interview and asked to provide diagnostic information and supporting documentation (ex. a report from developmental pediatrician or psychologist, IEP).

Autism Resources

Advocates for Autism-Massachusetts (AFAM): A parent founded and driven advocacy group for increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders and related current and pending legislation in Massachusetts. (781) 891-6270. http://www.afamaction.org/

Asperger's Association of New England (AANE): A comprehensive resource and support center serving the Boston and New England area for individuals with Asperger Syndrome (adults, teens, children) and their families. Provides an excellent website including information, lists of support groups, family grants, specialized programs, books and articles, conferences, trainings, and more. Staff includes service coordinators for adults, teens and children. 85 Main Street, Suite 101, Watertown, MA 02472. (617) 393-3824. www.aane.org/

Autism Special Education Legal Support Center at Massachusetts Advocates for Children: Through the Autism Legal Helpline, callers receive free technical assistance and answers to their questions about educational rights of children with autism. Boston. (617) 357-8431. http://www.massadvocates.org/autism_project

The Doug Flutie Junior Foundation For Autism: Raises public awareness and supports families and organizations through grants. Provides education, resources and links about autism. (508) 270-8855 or (866) 3AUTISM. www.dougflutiejrfoundation.org/

Massachusetts Resources

ARC of Massachusetts: A statewide resource and advocacy and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities The 22 chapters of the Arc of Massachusetts work throughout the commonwealth to provide services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, Down Syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy and their families on a case-by-case basis. (781) 891-6270. www.arcmass.org/

Asperger Association of New England (AANE): Serves all of New England; resources especially for individuals with Asperger Syndrome, high-functioning autism and nonverbal learning disability. Serves toddlers through adults, parents and professionals. An excellent resource for workshops, parent supports, advocacy and social skills groups. Annual conference is held. (617) 393-3824. www.aane.org/

Autism Services Association (ASA): Provides community-based vocational coaching and employment assistance, day programming and other supports to adults and young adults with autism. Wellesley (781) 237-0272.

Autism Society of America/Massachusetts Chapter: Wellesley (781) 237-0272. www.geocities.com/asamasschapter

Bureau of Family and Community Health Community Support Line: Offers statewide information, technical assistance and referral for families of children with special health-care needs. (800) 882-1435.

Children and Family Disability Resource Program: Springfield (413) 788-9695. www.cfs.org/

Department of Public Health: (617) 624-6060 or (866) 627-7968 SSI benefits specialist: Gail Havelick (800) 882-1435 or (617) 624-5961. www.state.ma.us/dph

Family Ties of Massachusetts: Access the “Directory of Resources For Families of Children with Special Needs,” updated annually; access Early Intervention (EI) programs and intensive services. Contact Tracy Osbahr, intensive services coordinator at the Department of Public Health (DPH) for Early Intervention. (413) 586-7525. www.massfamilyties.org/

Family Ties Regional and Parent to Parent Coordinator: (800) 905-TIES (8437) or (617) 541-2875.

MassHealth (formerly Medicaid): Fees based upon income, you may state you have a child with a disability and ask for a packet to be sent to your home. Customer service (800) 841-2900. Enrollment center to check status of application: (800) 665-9993. www.state.ma.us/dma or www.mass.gov/

Personal Care Assistant (PCA):

www.masscp.org/

Parent Information Network (PIN): Provides parent-coordinated support groups. Lakeville. (508) 767-9725.

Parent/Professional Advocacy League PPAL: Parent support. (617) 542-7860 or (866) 815-8122, Boston. (508) 767-9725, Worcester.

Parents for Residential Reform: A program of the Federation For Children with Special Needs provides family support for children who live in residential settings. (617) 236-7210 or (800) 672-7084. www.pfrr.org/

Urban Pride: A resource for workshops, parent supports and advocacy for families of individuals with disabilities living in city of Boston. (617) 989-3929. www.urbanpride.org/

Massachusetts Autism Support Centers

Some of the services offered at Autism Support Centers are: Information and Referrals, Lending Library, Parent Support Groups, Sibling Workshops, Trainings and Consultations, Speaker Series, Open Gym and Swim Sessions, Family Events, Camp Listings, Newsletters.

Autism Support Centers: TILL and Boston Families for Autism (two support centers who recently merged), Dedham. Serves Greater Boston. 781-302-4835. www.tillinc.org/autismservicesprovided.htm

Autism Resource Center, West Boylston. Serves: North Central, Worcester, South Valley areas. 508-835-4278. www.arccm.org/

Autism Support Center, North Shore ARC, Danvers. Serves: Northeast region.
978-777-9135, Ext. 2301 or 2302 or www2.primushost.com/~nsarc

The Family Autism Center, Westwood. Serves: Norfolk County. 781-762-4001, Ext. 310 www.sncarc.org/FAC.htm

Autism Alliance of Metrowest, c/o Morse Library, Natick. Serves: Metrowest, Middlesex West. 508-652-9900. www.autismalliance.org/

Community Autism Resources ”CAR,” Swansea. Serves: Southeastern region, Cape Cod & Islands. 508-379-0371. www.community-autism-resources.com/

Community Resources For People With Autism, Easthampton. Serves: Western region. 413-529-2428 www.communityresourcesforautism.org/

Autism Center of the South Shore/ACSS, Weymouth: Provides support and resources to families living in South Shore/coastal area. (Does not currently receive DMR Autism Division funding.) 800-482-5788.

Special Education Resources

Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts: Lynn. 781-581-1977. http://www.clcm.org/

Disability Law Center: Offers legal advice for children who have disabilities; sometimes take pro-bono cases. Boston, 617-723-8455 or 800-872-9992. Northampton and Western Massachusetts, 413-584-6337 or 800-222-5619. www.dlc-ma.org/

EdLaw: Advocates for low-income children in danger of not receiving appropriate educational services. The project provides legal representation, technical assistance, and training to families. For more information call (617) 989-8100 or www.youthadvocacyproject.org/

Federation for Children with Special Needs: Updated federal and state special education laws, advice, information and access to advocacy, IEP development and related resources, parent information guides, statewide parent workshops. Boston.800-331-0688 or 617-236-7210. www.fcsn.org/

Greater Boston Legal Services: 617-371-1234. http://www.gbls.org/

Massachusetts Advocates for Children, the Autism Special Education Legal Support Center: Information and advice on state and federal special education laws and parent rights, free community workshops. Boston. 617-357-8431. www.massadvocates.org/

Massachusetts Department of Education, Special Education: The state’s official website for education for parents of children ages 3 through 22. Provides state and federal regulations, IEP information, parent rights and procedural safeguards manual for working with your district’s special education department. Malden. 781-338-3000. www.doe.mass.edu/sped

Program Quality Assurance: Compliance issues and helpful advice to work with your special education team. 781-338-3700.
Bureau of Special Education Appeals: Mediation and hearing information. 781-338-6400.

New Center for Legal Advocacy: New Bedford. 508-979-7160 or 800-244-9023. www.ncla.net/

Special Educational Parent Advocacy Council Groups, the main website for SEPACS in Massachusetts: How to find your town and how to become a member; www.masspac.org/

Special Needs Advocacy Network: Specific information about educational advocacy. Access updated contact list of FCSN-trained private pay advocates. (508) 655-7999. www.spanmass.org/

SpedChildMass: This website has Massachusetts workshops and resources for children with special needs along with pertinent news. www.spedchildmass.com/

SPEDWatch: A Grassroots non-profit social change movement working to secure the educational rights of all Massachusetts school children with disabilities. www.spedwatch.org/

New England Resources

New England INDEX: Comprehensive list of resources. 800-642-0249. www.disabilityinfo.org/

Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities: For children with all disabilities. www.yellowpagesforkids.com/

Autism Project of Rhode Island: Family support, resources. 401-785-2666. www.autismproject.org

Autism Society of Rhode Island: (401) 595-3241.

Department of Education, Rhode Island: (401) 222-3505. www.ridoe.net/Special_Populations

Families for Effective Treatment, Rhode Island: Cranston, RI (401) 886-5015. www.featri.org/

Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council: (407) 737-1238. www.riddc.org/

Rhode Island Department of Education, Speical Education Services: (401) 222-4600. www.iser.com/state-gov/special-need.html/

Rhode Island Disability Law Center: (401) 831-3150. www.ridlc.org/

Rhode Island Parent Information Network: (401) 270-0101. www.ripin.org

Autism Society of America (Connecticut chapter): (888) 453-4975 or www.autismsocietyofct.org

Connecticut Autism Spectrum Resource Center: (203) 265-7717 or www.ct-asrc.org

Connecticut Families for Effective Autism Treatment: (860) 571-3888 or www.ctfeat.org

Connecticut Parent Advisory Center: (860) 739-3089 or www.cpacinc.org

Connecticut State Department of Education: (860) 713-6543 or www.sde.ct.gov

Hartford-New Haven Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC): (860) 297-4358

Connecticut Chapter of ASA: (888) 453-4975 or www.autismsocietyofct.org/

Stamford Education For Autism (203) 322-9767 or www.stamfordeducation4autism.org/

Autism Society of America, Vermont Chapter: (800) 559-7398.
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Autism Support Daily: (802) 985-8773 or www.autismsupportdaily.com/

Department of Education: (802) 828-2755, (802) 828-3121, (802) 828-3130. www.education.vermont.gov/

Vermont Division of Disability Autism Supports: (802) 241-2863 or www.ddas.vermont.gov

Vermont Autism Task Force: www.autismtaskforce.com

The Birchtree Center: A non-profit organization that provides programs and services. Portsmouth, NH (603) 433-4192. www.birchtreecenter.org/

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Lebanon, NH (603) 650-5000. www.dhmc.org/

Department of Education: Bureau of Special Education for New Hampshire (603) 271-3494. www.ed.state.nh.us/education

Easter Seals of New Hampshire: Offers Autism Support Program, supports and services for children, teens and families with developmental and behavioral needs. Dover, NH (603) 740-3534; Raymond, NH (603) 895-1522. www.eastersealsnh.org/

Jacob’s Bridge Through Autism: Developed by parents, has listing of local and national resources. Plymouth, NH www.jbtautism.org/

New Hampshire Chapter of ASA: Offers educational support and resources for parents. Concord, NH (603) 679-2424. www.nhautism.com/

New Hampshire Connections: A non-profit with a goal of strengthening and expanding family-school-community partnerships, to improve education for children with disabilities. www.nhconnections.org/

New Hampshire Resource Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Located at the Institute in Disability at UNH. (603) 228-4230. www.iod.unh.edu/autism.html

Parent Information Center: Call to speak with technical assistants about special education laws and advocacy information in New Hampshire, (800) 232-0986. www.parentinformationcenter.org/

Southeastern Regional Education Service Center: Education and behavioral support programs, services for families and schools and specific autism services. Bedford, NH (603) 206-6800. www.seresc.net/

Autism Society of Maine: (800) 273-5200. www.asmonline.org/

Children’s Behavioral Health Services: www.maine.gov/dhhs/CBHS

Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine: (207) 581-1084. www.ccids.umaine.edu

Department of Education: www.maine.gov/education/disabilities/index

Developmental Disabilities Council of Maine: (800) 244-3990 or (207) 287-4213. www.maineddc.org/

Disability Rights Center: (800) 452-1948. www.drcme.org

Maine Parent Federation: (800) 870-7746. www.mpf.org

National Resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org/ -- click on healthtopics/autism.

Autism, Asperger’s and Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Has comprehensive information, education, articles and “fact sheets” on autism, Asperger’s and pervasive development disabilities. www.autism-help.org/

Autism Society of America: Oldest parent advocacy group offers many resources. Annual conference. www.autism-society.org/

Autism Speaks: Dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. www.autismspeaks.org/

Center for Disease Control: Federal website with updates on national research initiatives. www.cdc.gov/

First Signs: Has excellent educational materials, articles, links for early screening and signs of developmental disabilities, geared for both parents of children with autism and related developmental disabilities, and clinicians and professionals. Founded by the author of the book “A Parent’s Guide to The First Signs and Next Steps: Could It Be Autism.” www.firstsigns.org/

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: www.nectac.org/topics/autism

Special Kids Special Help: www.specialkidsspecialhelp.org/

Wrights Law: Special education laws and advocacy information. www.wrightslaw.com/

What are some community resources for families?

Autism Resources

Massachusetts Resources

Massachusetts Autism Support Centers

Special Education Resources

New England Resources

Rhode Island:

Connecticut:

Vermont:

New Hampshire:

Maine:

National Resources: