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Executive Office of Health and Human ServicesMassachusettsAutism CommissionAutism CommissionIn August 2014, the Commonwealth ofCh. 226 of the Acts of 2014, the “AutismOmnibus Law” that established the AutismCommission as a permanent entity.The Commission is charged with makingrecommendations on policies impactingindividuals with ASD across their lifespan,and to file an annual report with the Governorand the Legislature. The Commissionis comprised of 35 members, includingrepresentatives from state agencies,advocacy organizations, parents and aself-advocate. The first Executive Directorby Governor Baker in March 2016.www.mass.gov/autism3OHDVH QRWH 6WDWH DJHQFLHV DQG the types of resources thatexist in the Commonwealth,and which may be availableto an individual with ASD.thestate agencies and toThis pamphlet is intendedto inform familiesand individuals aboutresources that MAY BEavailable to an individualspecial education servicesthat are provided byschool districts under anindividualized educationprogram (IEP).
State AgenciesDepartment of Developmental Services (DDS)The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides funding forfamily support programs and services across the state designed to provideinformation, assistance, and an array of supportive services to families withchildren and adults with disabilities who are living at /The Children’s Autism Medicaid WaiverThe children’s autism Medicaid waiver is a program that provides intensivein-home and other services to children with autism. Families must apply forthese services. Eligible children must be:1) Medicaid eligible; 2) ages 0–8; and 3) at risk of institutionalizationnow or at some point in the future. The program is administered by theMassachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). At certaindates, DDS opens the application process for the program. There are a limitednumber of program slots. For more information on the Children’s AutismMedicaid Waiver: You can link to information on the DDS Autism Services Waiver s/autism-waiver/ Mass. Advocates for Children, Autism Center, http://massadvocates.org/autism/ Masslegalhelp.org, Children’s Autism Medical Waiver, sm-medicaid-waiveralertDepartment of Elementary and SecondaryEducation & Department of DevelopmentalServices (DESE/DDS) ProgramThe DESE/DDS program helps provide in-home and community basedtherapeutic supports and services to students ages 6–17. Eligibleparticipants must show a need for services that prevent a restrictive, out ofhome residential placement. This program also helps support families with achild who attended a residential school and has returned to thehome. www.mass.gov/dds-dese-program2
State Agencies (continued)Department of Developmental Services (DDS)Family Support CentersFamily Support Centers across the state provide a local presence and act as ahub for offering a wide range of general family support services and activitiesto families of children and adults who are eligible for DDS ment of Developmental Services (DDS)Seven Autism Support CentersThe Mission of the Autism support centers, which are funded by DDS, isto provide support for children, and adults with ASD, and their familiesthroughout Massachusetts. The Autism support centers offertrainings, workshops, and activities to help connect families and empowerthem to enable their children and adults with ASD to be full and integratedmembers of their communities. The link and the list below will guide you tothe support center closest to your ort-centers-listAutism Support CentersAdvocates, Inc./Autism Alliance ofMetrowest(508) 652-9900www.autismalliance.orgAutism Resource Center: Central MA(508) 835-4278www.autismresourcecentral.orgNortheast ARC(978) 777-9135 x2301 or 2302www.ne-arcautismsupportcenter.orgTILL: Autism Support Center(781) 302-4600www.tillinc.org/autism training.htmlAutism Connections:Western MA(413) vices/autism-connectionsThe Family Autism Center:Norfolk Co. & Surrounding Areas(781) 762-4001 mlCommunity Autism Resources:Southeastern, MA508-379-0371www.community-autism-resources.com3
Health InsuranceThe Massachusetts Autism InsuranceLaw (ARICA)ARICA requires somehealth insurance companies in Massachusetts toprovide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism SpectrumDisorder. Not all private insurance plans are required to cover autismtreatment. Ask your insurance company what coverage exists in yourpolicy for autism treatment, including coverage for ABA services andAAC m/arica-factsheet.pdfThe Autism Insurance Resource Center, part ofthe Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMassMedical SchoolThe Autism Insurance Resource Center provides free information,assistance, trainings, webinars, and other resources on issues related tomedical insurance for autism treatment.www.massairc.orgMassHealth Services:MassHealth or Mass CommonHealthMassHealth (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 millionMassachusetts children, families, seniors, and people with ents/masshealth/ g-people-withMassHealth Customer Service: 1-800-841-2900If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, they may be eligible forApplied Behavior Analysis Services (ABA), alternative andaugmentative communication (AAC) devices, personal care attendant(PCA) services, or the children’s behavioral health initiative (CBHI)through MassHealth.4
Health Insurance (continued)Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)Children under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with autism and arecovered by MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth and Family Assistance areentitled to medically necessary ABA services. Coverage is also available tomembers who have MassHealth as secondaryinsurance. -asked-questions/(note: these services would be in addition to the services provided in yourchildʼs school)Augmentative and Alternative Communication(ACC) DevicesIn addition to insurance coverage for ABA services, coverage includesAugmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. MassHealthexpanded coverage for electronic tablets for individuals with ASD sshealth/guidelines/mng-aac.pdfPersonal Care Attendant (PCA) from MassHealthThe PCA Program helps people with permanent or chronic disabilities keeptheir independence, stay in the community, and manage their own personalcare by providing funds to hire personal care attendants (PCAs). The PCAconsumer (the person receiving PCA services) is the employer of the PCA,and is fully responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, training, and, ifnecessary, firing attendant-pca-programChildren’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)CBHI ensures that children with MassHealth, 21 years or younger,who have significant behavioral, emotional and mental health needs andtheir families get the services they need for success in home, school,community, and throughout life. www.mass.gov/masshealth/cbhi5
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) iscommitted to preparing all students for success in the world thatawaits them after high school.Technical Assistance AdvisoryRepresents “best practice” guidance from the Department ofElementary and Secondary Education to address a change to thespecial education law enacted in the spring of 2006 that affects specialeducation programming for students with disabilities on the autismspectrum. The purpose of this advisory is to assist school districts andother interested parties in understanding these new requirements and inimplementing best practices for meeting the needs of these 7 1ta.htmlSpecial Education Planning and Policy OfficeIndividualized special educational services are designed for students withdisabilities who - because of their disabilities - need specially designedinstruction or related services in order to make progress in the generalcurriculum and access the life of the school. The Special EducationPlanning and Policy Office has many resources available for families.://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/These resources include Technical Assistance Advisories andGuidance. Some of these resources provide information specific toindividuals diagnosed with t.htmlPublic School Monitoring (PSM)PSM implements the Department’s compliance monitoring and providestechnical assistance to school personnel and the public regarding theimplementation of laws and regulations.http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/ 781-338-3000Problem Resolution System (PRS)PRS receives and resolves complaints from the public qa/prs/781-338-37006
A Parent’s Guide to Special EducationWritten by the Federation for Children with Special Needs in collaboration withthe Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,the Guide is a resource for parents, and the organizations that servethem. The Guide contains the most current and accurate informationavailable regarding the special education in g Prevention and Intervention ResourcesThis document assists schools and IEP Teams to prevent bullying ofstudents with iderations-bully.htmlAdditional ResourcesAsperger/Autism Network (AANE)AANE works with individuals, families, and professionals to help peoplewith Asperger Syndrome or similar autism spectrum profiles buildmeaningful, connected lives by providing information, education, community,support, and advocacy—all in an atmosphere of validation and respect.http://www.aane.org/Autism SpeaksAutism Speaks provides an online tool kit that is designed to help assistfamilies of children between the ages of 5 and 13 recently diagnosed withautism during the critical period following an autism ices/tool-kitsFamily Ties of MassachusettsFamily Ties is a directory of resources for families of children and youth withspecial needs.http://www.massfamilyties.org7
Additional Resources (continued)Autism Commission – Printable Guide on Transition ServicesA guide intended to help families and individuals betterunderstand the types of resources that exist in the Commonwealthand which may be available to an individual withASD. www.mass.gov/service-details/secondary-Exceptional LivesException Lives offers a free Resource Directory, a searchable onlinedatabase of disability programs and providers, and free How-toGuides, which walk people step by step through processes like specialeducation, health insurance, guardianship and SSI.www.exceptionallives.orgFederation for Special Needs (FCSN)The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides information, support,and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professionalpartners, and their communities. They are committed to listening to andlearning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life byall people, especially those with disabilities.http://fcsn.org/Massachusetts Advocates for Children Autism CenterMassachusetts Advocates for Children Autism Center works with electedofficials and partners to create laws and regulations to ensure thatchildren and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) haveaccess to the services and resources they need in order to reach theirfull potential. http://massadvocates.org/autismWrightslawThis resource provides information for parents, educators, advocates, andattorneys for accurate, reliable information about special education law,education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.www.wrightslaw.comContact the Autism CommissionCarolyn Kain, Executive Director500 Harrison AveBoston, MA 02118(617) 624–7848www.mass.gov/autism
The Autism Insurance Resource Center, part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School The Autism Insurance Resource Center provides free information, assistance, trainings, webinars, and other resources on issues related to medical insurance for autism treatment. www.massairc.org MassHealth Services:
