Autism Spectrum Disorders/Asperger's Syndrome

Since its inception in 2002, the Autism Special Education Legal Support Center of the Massachusetts Advocates for Children has become a vital force within the autism community, providing training, legal assistance, advocacy, and services to thousands of parents and professionals to ensure that children with autism overcome lowered expectations and receive equal educational opportunities. The Center also provides intensive training and legal advocacy for parents who face cultural and language barriers in selected Haitian and Latino communities.

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts strives to assure 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. Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts provides education to individuals with ASD, their families and other AFAM members/supporters to be effective, vigorous agents of change. In addition, this organization provides legislative advocacy on behalf of individuals and families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and their website provides up to date information on legislative changes impacting these individuals and their families. They also provide a newsletter and host events to raise awareness about the need for services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, including advocacy for the growing and anticipated number of adults who will need support.

The Asperger's Association of New England (AANE)'s mission is to foster awareness, respect, acceptance, and support for individuals with Asperger Syndrome and related conditions and their families. Their Information Line (617-393-3824) provides parents, adults with AS, teachers and professionals with information, support, resources and referrals. Additionally, they have three Family Grant Programs, funded by the generosity of the Edwin Philips Foundation, the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, and an esteemed private donor. Support and social groups are also offered at their Watertown location, as well as throughout Massachusetts and other Northeastern states.

Parent Support Group
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, LLC
1st Saturday, 10am-12pm
9 Acton Road, Suite 17, Chelmsford, MA 01824
April Farley: (978) 256-6579 x21 or afarley@glpaonline.org

The mission of the Autism Alliance of MetroWest, Inc. is to provide families in the MetroWest area of Boston with information, education and support. The organization plans and implements programs and events to aid families while increasing public awareness regarding autism. They currently service over 625 families and employ 125 specialists in the field of Autism.

The Autism Resource Center was conceived in 1996 by a group of parents to serve primarily as an information and referral service for children and families affected by disorders within the Autism Spectrum. The Center services the eastern portion of DDS Central-West Region. This encompasses North Central, Worcester, and South Valley areas.
This program is funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and administered by Horace Mann Educational Associates, Inc. The Autism Resource Center is designed to help parents, educators, service providers, and medical professionals provide effectively for those diagnosed within the Autism Spectrum.

The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. Education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research form the cornerstones of ASA's efforts to carry forth its mission. The Massachusetts Chapter of ASA can provides information about Autism as well as information regarding available services for Autism across the state of Massachusetts.

The Autism Support Center (ASC) was created in 1991 to support parents and professionals who expressed a need for assistance finding information and support about autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and Asperger's Syndrome. The Autism Support Center empowers families who have a member with autism or related disorder by providing current, accurate, and unbiased information about autism, services, referrals, resources, and research trends. In addition, the ASC provides educational opportunities for families, professionals and surrounding communities; promote networking; increase community awareness; and advocate for services and opportunities. General information is available to any parent, professional or person who contacts the ASC. However, their primary service area is Northeastern Massachusetts and the suburbs of Boston. It is directed by a Parent Advisory Policy Committee comprised of parents of children with Autism/PDD. The organization also maintains a comprehensive resource list of professionals with interest and experience with Autism Spectrum Disorders. At the family's request, ASC can arrange home visits (in their service area) to help parents best understand how to help their child. Support groups are also offered throughout the geographic area for parents and siblings. Parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters are able to find others who understand their concerns and gain strategies for home, school, and community integration.

The College Internship Program at the Berkshire Center provides individualized, post-secondary academic, internship and independent living experiences for young adults with Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD and other Learning Differences.

Community Autism Resources is a family created and oriented community services organization. The valuable input received from families and professionals sustains their continued focus on assisting and educating families and professionals so that they can better meet the needs of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). They promote building collaborative relationships with those involved in an effort to provide comprehensive and individually tailored supports. The organization also offers a variety of services and events for families, professionals and community members at no cost. Their area of coverage includes most of Southeastern Massachussetts, the Cape, South Shore, and the Islands.

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.
Community Resources was founded in 1989, and continues to be directed by, parents of children with autism. Their goal is to help families, schools, professionals, agencies and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism, and foster their inclusion in the community. They offer support groups, a referral directory, and educational advocacy, as well as a multitude of information and resources.

The Family Autism Center was created in 1996 by SNCARC. We have a Steering Committee made up of family members of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Their mission is to provide advocacy, supports and services to people with ASD and to their families.

Family TIES of Massachusetts is a program for families of children with special needs and chronic illness, and the professionals who support them. Family TIES offers parent-to-parent support, information and referral services, and workshops to ensure that parents feel confident in caring for their children's special needs. The website offers information about services and supports, as well as personal experiences from early intervention through transition to adulthood. In addition, Family TIES offers regional coordinators who help parents of children with special needs get connected to support groups in their area.

First Signs is dedicated to the early identification of and intervention for children with autism and other related disorders. The organization aims to educate parents, healthcare providers, early childhood educators, and other professionals in order to ensure the best developmental outcome for every child. They focus on improving screening and referral practices to lower the age at which young children are identified with autism and other related disorders.

The Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS) center has joined with MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome to create a single resource for families, individuals, and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder / Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS). This web site provides articles, educational resources, links to local, national and international support groups, sources of professional help, lists of camps and schools, conference information, recommended reading, and moderated support message boards. The web site resources are an addition to the annual conference, newsletter email and phone support provided by MAAP Services.

The Lurie Center (formerly LADDERS) is a highly successful program designed to evaluate and treat children and adults having a wide variety of developmental and handicapping conditions. Our mission is to provide the highest quality clinical, social and support services to those diagnosed with autism, pervasive developmental disorders and other developmental disabilities.
LADDERS, a program of Mass. General Hospital, is unique because of the population it serves and because it uses a multidisciplinary approach which begins with comprehensive medical evaluations and extends to supporting the well-being of patients and families. Nurses, social workers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, neuro-psychologists, special education professionals and family members are involved in the treatment processes in addition to the physicians. Each has a depth of expertise in their respective field.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness maintains a helpline for informaion on mental illnesses and referrals to local groups. The local self-help groups have support and adocacy components and offer education and information about community services for families and individuals. For information about the Alliance's affiliates and activities in MA, contact NAMI Massachusetts.

Understanding Our Differences, Inc. is a nonprofit organization working to increase information, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and individual differences. Since 1978, Understanding Our Differences has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults in Newton, Massachusetts through the delivery of a unique and creative disability awareness curriculum in collaboration with the Newton Public Schools. This award-winning program has been disseminated to more than 200 schools and organizations nationwide.

Autism-PDD.Net is an information and resource site for parents of children and caregivers coping with Autism. We provide an online support community forum parents to express thoughts, ideas and seek help. We will continue to provide the most current information to help you.

We are 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. It is our firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle. Autism Speaks. It's time to listen.

Do To Learn is an online collection of hands-on resources for children with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and learning disabilities. Most of the materials on the website are free; they include games, puzzles, songs, and charts that help children learn social skills, emotion recognition, verbal communication, and other important skills. There are also extensive resources for teachers, such as classroom activities and organizational plans. In addition, the website offers information to parents on autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.

Organization for Autism Research is the only autism organization which focuses solely on applied research. Putting research to work providing answers to questions for those confronted directly and indirectly by autism and funding research studies that investigate treatments, educational approaches, and statistical aspects of autism.

The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. We believe that disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members. Consequently, we want to increase the peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs and to increase parents' and providers' understanding of sibling issues. Our mission is accomplished by training local service providers on how to create community-based peer support programs for young siblings; hosting workshops, listservs, and websites for young and adult siblings; and increasing parents' and providers' awareness of siblings' unique, lifelong, and ever-changing concerns through workshops, websites, and written materials. Visit the website for local listings of "Sibshops", i.e. sibling support programs.

The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression) is committed to alleviating the suffering of mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research. The BBR Foundation offers news on the research it funds as well as information (documents and videos) about these and other disorders in children and adults. It also provides guidance and resources for families coping with a child or parent with mental illness.