1. Autism Commission
Coordinating the Role of State Agencies; Resources for School Districts
Telephone number

2. Special Education and State Services
In addition to special education services available for students deemed eligible for special education under the IDEA and M.G.L. c.71B, there are additional services that students with autism ages 3-22 years of age may be eligible for from state agencies. This presentation is to help school personnel understand these additional service opportunities to help families connect with resources.

3. Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Services Available from State Agencies
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides funding for family support programs and services across the state designed to provide information, assistance, and an array of supportive services to families with children and adults with disabilities who are living at home.

4. Autism Support Centers
DDS has Seven (7) Autism Support Centers
The Autism support centers offer various trainings, workshops, and activities to help connect families and empower them to enable their children and adults with ASD to be full and integrated members of their communities. The link and the list below will guide you to the support center closest to your community.

5. Autism Support Centers
Advocates, Inc./Autism Alliance of Metrowest (508) Autism Resource Center: Central MA (508) Community Autism Resources: Southeastern, MA Autism Connections: Western, MA (413)
Northeast ARC (978) x2301 or
The Family Autism Center: Norfolk Co. & Surrounding Areas (781) x310
TILL: Autism Support Center (781)

6. Department of Developmental Services Family Support Centers
In addition to the Autism Support Centers DDS also has Family Support Centers that are available to assist families. There are 44 total Centers- 10 of which are designated as Cultural/Linguistic-Specific Family Support Centers.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Family Support Centers
Family Support Centers across the state provide a local presence and act as a hub for offering a wide range of general family support services and activities to families of children and adults who are eligible for DDS services.

7. The Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver
The children’s autism Medicaid waiver is a program that provides intensive in-home and other services to children with autism. Families must apply for these services. Eligible children must be: 1) Medicaid eligible; 2) ages 0-8; and 3) at risk of institutionalization now or at some point in the future. The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). At certain dates, DDS opens the application process for the program. There are a limited number of program slots.

8. Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education & Department of Developmental Services (DESE/DDS) Program
The DESE/DDS program helps provide in-home and community based therapeutic supports and services to students ages Eligible participants must show a need for services that prevent a restrictive, out of home residential placement. This program also helps support families with a child who attended a residential school and has returned to the home.

9. MassHealth or Mass CommonHealth
MassHealth Services
MassHealth Services
MassHealth or Mass CommonHealth
MassHealth (as a primary insurance) or Mass CommonHealth (as a supplemental insurance)provides comprehensive health insurance - or help in paying for private health insurance – to more than one million Massachusetts children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. or

10. MassHealth
If a child has been diagnosed with ASD, they may be eligible for Applied Behavior Analysis Services (ABA), alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices, personal care attendant (PCA) services, or the children’s behavioral health initiative (CBHI) through MassHealth.

11. Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Children under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with autism and are covered by MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth and Family Assistance are entitled to medically necessary ABA services. Coverage is also available to members who have MassHealth as secondary insurance.

12. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
In addition to insurance coverage for ABA services, the new law expands MassHealth coverage for medically necessary Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. In the past, MassHealth covered AAC devices but did not cover electronic tablets, such as iPads, used for AAC. MassHealth now covers electronic tablets dedicated to use as AAC, along with related software, when medically necessary for communication.
MassHealth customer service

13. Personal Care Attendant Services from MassHealth
Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Services from MassHealth
The PCA Program is a MassHealth program that helps people with permanent or chronic disabilities keep their independence, stay in the community, and manage their own personal care by providing funds to hire personal care attendants (PCAs). The PCA consumer (the person receiving PCA services) is the employer of the PCA, and is fully responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, training, and, if necessary, firing PCAs.

14. Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative
Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)
CBHI ensures that children with MassHealth who have significant behavioral, emotional and mental health needs and their families get the services they need for success in home, school, community, and throughout life.

15. The Massachusetts Autism Insurance Law (ARICA)
Health Insurance
The Massachusetts Autism Insurance Law (ARICA)
ARICA requires health insurers in Massachusetts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is important to note that not all private insurance plans are required to follow the Massachusetts law requiring insurance to cover autism treatment. If you have private health insurance you will need to ask your insurance company what coverage exists in your policy for autism treatment, including coverage for ABA services and AAC devices.

16. Autism Insurance Resource Center
The Autism Insurance Resource Center, part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School
The Autism Insurance Resource Center provides information, technical assistance, trainings, webinars, and other resources for consumers, providers, educators, employers, and others on issue related to medical insurance for autism treatment.
 Telephone number

17. Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
MRC is required under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to provide pre-employment services (PETS) to transition aged youth ages Services required by WIOA include: (1) job exploration counseling; (2) work-based learning experiences to include internship opportunities; (3) counseling on post-secondary educational opportunities; (4) workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living; and (5) instruction in self-advocacy (peer mentoring).

18. Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)
AANE works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome or similar autism spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives by providing information, education, community, support, and advocacy--all in an atmosphere of validation and respect.

19. Autism Speaks Additional Resources
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks provides an online tool kit that is designed to help assist families of children between the ages of 5 and 13 recently diagnosed with autism during the critical period following an autism diagnosis.

20. Family Ties of Massachusetts
Additional Resources
Exceptional Lives
Exception Lives offers a free Resource Directory, a searchable online database of disability programs and providers, and free How-to Guides, which walk people step by step through processes like special education, health insurance, guardianship and SSI.
Family Ties of Massachusetts
Family Ties is a directory of resources for families of children and youth with special needs.

21. Federation for Special Needs (FCSN)
Additional Resources
Federation for Special Needs (FCSN)
The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. They are committed to listening to and learning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities.

22. Wrightslaw Additional Resources
This resource provides information for parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

23. Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center
Additional Resources
Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center
Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center works with elected official and partners to create laws and regulations to ensure that children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have access to the services and resources they need in order to reach their full potential.

24. Autism Housing Pathways
Autism Housing Pathways (AHP) was created to provide information, support and resources for families who seek to create secure, supported housing for their adult children with disabilities. Autism Housing Pathways seeks to foster education and awareness and disseminate information about the creation of self-directed housing for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities; to promote and support the formation and maintenance of such housing; and to assist families in creating self-directed housing for their adult children that supports their residential, recreational and community needs.
Turning 18 Checklist
Turning 18 and Applying for Section 8 Voucher
Mini-tutorial on housing for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, including housing subsidies and supportive services   

25. Autism Commission Contact
Carolyn J. Kain Executive Director