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 eight support centers located across the state which offer support, resources and referral information, parent trainings and workshops, specialized programs for children, teens and young adults at no membership costs. (please see the side bar 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 Mental Retardation (DMR). In Massachusetts, DMR 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 DMR if your child has an ASD:
1) The DMR "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 DMR 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 DMR team will review your child's documentation, and if he/she is found eligible, will assign a service coordinator from your DMR 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 DMR eligibility guidelines and to download the one page application, go to www.mass.gov/DMR or call 888-DMR-4435. Fill out the application form and send to your Regional Eligibility office coordinator (located on the website under "find a DMR 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. 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. http://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
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/
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. http://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. http://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. http://www.cfs.org/
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. http://www.dougflutiejrfoundation.org/
Department of Public Health: 617-624-6060 or 866-627-7968 SSI benefits specialist: Gail Havelick 800-8821435 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. http://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 http://www.mass.gov/
- Personal Care Assistant (PCA): contact 800-924-7570 or 508-880-7577.http://www.masscp.org/. Your child must be eligible for MassHealth.
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. http://www.pfrr.org/
Urban Pride: A resource for workshops, parent supports and advocacy for families of individuals with disabilities living in city of Boston. 617-338-4508. http://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. http://www.arccm.org/
Autism Support Center, North Shore ARC, Danvers. Serves: Northeast region.
978-777-9135, Ext. 2301 or 2302. www2.shore.net/~nsarc/index.htm
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. http://www.autismalliance.org/
Community Autism Resources ”CAR,” Swansea. Serves: Southeastern region, Cape Cod & Islands. 508-379-0371. http://www.community-autism-resources.com/
Community Resources For People With Autism, Easthampton. Serves: Western region. 413-529-2428 http://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/
The 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. http://www.dlc-ma.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. http://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. http://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. http://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; http://www.masspac.org/
- http://www.concordspedpac.org/ is for the town of Concord. Website offers resources and links to all school district PACS in Massachusetts, guide on IEP process, getting independent evaluations and accessing advocates or lawyers.
Special Needs Advocacy Network: Specific information about educational advocacy. Access updated contact list of FCSN-trained private pay advocates. (508) 655-7999. http://www.spanmass.org/
New England Resources
New England INDEX: Comprehensive list of resources. 800-642-0249. http://www.disabilityinfo.org/
Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities: For children with all disabilities. http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/
Autism Project of Rhode Island: Family support, resources. 401-785-2666. www,autismproject.org
Autism Society of
Department of Education,
Families for Effective Treatment of
Connecticut:
Department of Education: 860-713-6543. http://www.sde.ct.gov/
Autism Society of America, Vermont chapter: 800-559-7398.
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Department of Education: 802-828-2755, 802-828-3121, 802-828-3130. http://www.education.vermont.gov/
The
Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education,
603-271-3494. www.ed.state.nh.us/education
Easter Seals of
Jacob’s Bridge Through Autism: Developed by parents, has listing of local and national resources.
Autism Society of
Children’s Behavioral Health Services: www.maine.gov/dhhs/CBHS
Child Development Services: 207-624-6660
Department of Education: www.maine.gov/education/disabilities/index
Developmental Disabilities Council of
National Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://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. http://www.autism-help.org/
Autism Society of America: Oldest parent advocacy group offers many resources. Annual conference. http://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. http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Center for Disease Control: Federal website with updates on national research initiatives. http://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.” http://www.firstsigns.org/
The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: www.nectac.org/topics/autism
Special Kids Special Help: http://specialkidsspecialhelp.org
Wrights Law: Special education laws and advocacy information. http://www.wrightslaw.com/