• Local Chapters
• Advocacy
• Public Policy
• Autism Waiver
• Education
• Community Resources
• Events
• Autism Source

Local Chapters

Autism Society chapters are your best source of information and support. Most chapters are volunteer-led by parents, care providers and other professionals. The Autism Society has chapters in nearly every state reaching out to individuals with autism and their families with information, support, and encouragement.

Contact a Massachusetts Autism Society chapter.

Visit Autism Source to find local doctors, service providers and other useful resources in your area.

Advocacy

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network is a collaborative of four organizations that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Network partners accomplish this mission through advocacy, education, research and dissemination of information.

Disabilities Law Center, Inc.

Massachusetts Advocates for Children

Massachusetts Advocates for Children is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to being an independent and effective voice for children who face significant barriers to equal educational and life opportunities. MAC works to overcome these barriers by changing conditions for many children, while also helping one child at a time.

*Please note that in the context of Special Education Law, an "advocate" differs from an attorney in several ways. By definition, an "advocate" is one that supports or promotes the interests of another while an "attorney" is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on behalf of his or her clients. Although both may be able to help with your legal situation, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only attorney's fees are recoverable to families prevailing in lawsuits. This delineation was the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision in Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy, 548 U.S. 291 (2006). There is currently legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would reverse this outcome (the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, HR 434).

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2008 State Autism Profiles - Massachusetts

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

The mission of the MDDC is to provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance independence, productivity and inclusion.

Advocates for Autism

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts strives to ensure the human and civil rights of individuals of all ages across the entire autism spectrum and promote the availability of essential supports so that they may live fully and enjoy the same opportunities as other citizens of the Commonwealth. We educate individuals with ASD, their families and other AFAM members/supporters to be effective, vigorous agents of change.


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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

Department of Education

Institute for Community Inclusion

ICI offers training, clinical and employment services; conducts research; and provides assistance to organizations to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in school, work and community activities.


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Community Resources

Community Resources for People with Autism

Community Resources for People with Autism provides support, information and practical help for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families living in western Massachusetts.

Family TIES

Family TIES of Massachusetts is a statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness. It is administered by parent coordinators housed in each of the regional offices of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation

Our primary goal is to promote awareness and support families affected by autism spectrum disorders. We are committed to funding organizations that provide direct services, family support grants, education, advocacy and recreational opportunities with the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.

New England Index- Information on Disabilities Exchange

Contained within this site is a wealth of information for people with disabilities, their friends, families and the people who serve them. Information within this site focuses on Massachusetts.


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Autism Source

To find more information in your state, please visit www.autismsource.org.

The Autism Society welcomes your comments: If you would like to make a suggestion or share beneficial resources not included in this page, please click here to fill out our contact form.

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Last updated: 22 January 2009