• Sections:
  • General Information
  • ABA Services
  • Diagnosis
  • Transitioning to Adulthood
  • Wandering
  • Program Highlights

• See also:
  • Special Education
  • Special Needs Financial Planning

 

General Information:

• Autism Support Centers- MA Dept. of Health & Human Services
  • Background/historical document: State Funded Autism Support Centers

• Department of Developmental Services (DDS)- On August 6, 2014, Governor Patrick signed the Autism Omnibus Bill into law as Ch. 226 of the Acts of 2014. The law extended DDS eligibility to many persons with Autism, Prader Willi Syndrome and Smith-Magenis syndrome. Many individuals with autism do not have an IQ lower than 70 (previously required for DDS eligibility) but do have significant functional limitations (self care issues, mobility, learning issues). Rather than relying solely on an IQ criteria, DDS is now required to use the federal definition of “developmental disability” to expand eligibility to adults with ASD and PW who meet conditions for “substantial functional limitations”.
  • DDS Eligibility- Mental Heath Legal Advisors, 12/15.
• Autism Resources for Families- from mass.gov. Provides autism resource handouts for families, divided by age group.
• Autism Services in Massachusetts - Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, November 2015
• Asperger/Autism Network - provides MA individuals, families, and professionals with information, education, community, support, and advocacy
• Insurance Coverage
  • State and federal law require Medicaid/MassHealth to cover medically necessary treatments for children with autism who are under 21 years old – including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapies as well as dedicated and non-dedicated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices (as of July 2014).
    • In the news: MassHealth Struggling with Autism Services - families supported by MassHealth are experiencing prolonged wait times to access services for children with autism. (3/22)
  • Since 2010 state law has required coverage under commercial insurance.
  • Autism Insurance Resource Center provides information by phone or e-mail on insurance coverage for autism-related treatments and services. - MGH Community News, January 2017
    • Reference/More Information
      • New Federal and State Mandates for Autism Coverage - MGH Community News, September 2014
      • MA Law to Expand Required Autism Coverage - MGH Community News, September 2010

• Autism Resources in Massachusetts- The Basics for Parents/Guardians- MGH Social Service, family education document (Rev 5/19)
• MGH Autism Resources
  • Autism Care Questionnaire
  • Autism Care Questionnaire: Frequently Asked Questions
  • Autism Resource Guide for Case Management
  • Autism What to Expect on Admission
  • Autism Admissions Basics and Care Algorithm
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Care Collaborative: Taking Care of the Autistic Inpatient Adult:
    What Every Clinician Should Know
  • HealthStream:
  • "Supporting Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders"—Module 1

  • "Supporting Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders"—Module 2

• Autism Toolkit for Pediatricians and Family Support Handouts/Website from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - MGH Community News, October 2012

ABA Services- Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

• Understanding Autism and Treatments (including ABA and "Floortime" - also known as Developmental, Individual Difference and Relationship-Based approach or DIR)
• ABA FAQs - from the Lurie Center
• Lurie Center Caregiver Workshops
• Accessing ABA through Insurance - from the Autism Insurance Resource Center
• Insurance Factsheets - factsheets also in Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese and Chinese - Insurance Resource Center
• ABA Search Engines
  • autismspeaks.org/resource-guide
  • ma-directory.exceptionallives.org/
  • mabhaccess.com/ for Masshealth

Diagnosis

• Program highlight: Asyouare.com - Virtual Autism Diagnostic Evaluations for Kids, MGH Community News, April 2023

Transitioning to Adulthood

• Transitioning Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders; Resources and Timeline Planning for Adult Living - Guide from the Massachusetts Autism Consortium that has sections on High School Education planning, Guardianship, Independent Living Skills, Post-Secondary Education, Employment, Healthcare, Housing, Recreation and Day Rehabilitation Programs, Public Benefits and Government Agencies, and Financial Planning.

• 3LPlace (Transitioning to Adulthood for those with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities, MGH Community News, May 2013)
  • 3LPlace has developed a comprehensive transition curriculum which is free to families, educators, and non-profit organizations. For more information, see their brochure.
    
    

 

Wandering Resources (Link to Alzheimer's/Dementia wandering resources)

 

Program Highlights

Inclusive Sensory Gym (Wellesley) - MGH Community News, October 2021