Autism Support Center
DDS Autism Waiver Service Program (AWP) Open Interest Period 2024
The Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) administers the Children’s Autism Waiver Program (AWP) which provides one-to-one interventions to help children with autism who exhibit severe behavioral, social and communication challenges through a service called Expanded Habilitation, Education (intensive in-home services and supports). This service occurs in the child’s home or other natural settings under the supervision of trained clinical staff and is available for a total of three years. AWP also provides related support services such as community integration activities and respite. At the conclusion of the three years of intensive services, a child may access supplemental services that meet the child’s needs and help with the transition out of the intensive AWP until the child’s 10th birthday.
The 2024 Children’s Autism Waiver Open Request Period information and application forms will be available in September 2024. The 2024 open request period runs from October 18 through November1, 2024. Applications will be accepted during this period only.
Helping families stay
INFORMED. EMPOWERED. CONNECTED.
Since 1991, Northeast Arc’s Autism Support Center has been empowering families who have a member with autism or a related disorder by providing current, accurate, and unbiased information about autism, services, referrals, resources, and research trends. The Center is directed by a Parent Advisory Policy Committee comprised of parents of children with ASD and it is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services.
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Services & Supports Include
Information, Resources, & Referrals
Our experienced team connects families with needed services and supports, both inside and outside Northeast Arc.
Training for Self-Advocates, Parents and Professionals
Workshops on vital topics such as behavioral supports, estate planning, special education rights, self-care, healthy relationships and more.
Family Activities
Free and low-cost events that provide opportunities for families to connect in a supportive, low-stress environment.
Flexible Funding
Cash assistance is available to families to help them meet the needs of their loved ones, thanks to funding from DDS, The Flutie Foundation and private donations.
Parent Support Groups and Networking
Facilitated meetings bring caregivers together to share experiences and wisdom, and nights out together provide fun, community, and respite.
Social & Recreation Programs
A variety of community-based activities that address a wide range of interests, offering diversion and social time with peers.
Touch to Talk
Funded through grants and donations, it gives access to AAC technology and training for parents and educators to support children’s success as communicators.
The Autism Support Center serves the following communities: Acton, Amesbury, Andover, Arlington, Bedford, Beverly, Billerica, Boxborough, Boxford, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Essex, Everett, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester, Marblehead, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Stoneham, Stow, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westford, Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn.
The Autism Support Center is located at 100 Independence Way STE D3, Danvers, MA 01923 and the general phone number is 978-777-9135.
Nancy Lucier
Autism Support Center Program Director
978-924-5732
Gloria Ricardi Castillo
Autism Support Center Director
978-924-5834
Support Groups
“I am so grateful for the monthly Autism Support meetings. The parents that I have met through this group, and the information that has been shared, have helped my son and our family immensely. The parents in the group, just ‘get it.’ I felt so alone when we first received Charles’ ASD diagnosis. All of our immediate friends have neuro-typical children and none of them could understand what we were going through. Not only have I met wonderful people, who I now consider friends, but we were able to get Charles set up into an After 3 program that he loves. And I would have never known about this program had it not been for this support group. I look forward to continued meetings and workshops as both have been extremely informative.”
Our support groups give parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters an opportunity to find others who understand their concerns, and gain strategies for home, school, and community integration.
Contact Northeast Arc’s Autism Support Center at 978-777-9135 or via email.
Resources
Below you will find a list of web resources recommended by the Autism Support Center (ASC). To learn more about available resources and services, you can call the ASC at 978-777-9135 or complete this form to have a member of the ASC staff contact you.
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Autism Support Center Web Resource Library
Financial
- Attainable Savings Plan (ABLE) fidelity.com/able/attainable/overview
Housing
- Autism Housing Pathways http://autismhousingpathways.org
Insurance
- Autism Insurance Resource Center massairc.org
Legislative
- Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) afamaction.org
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
- DDS Area Office https://areaofficelocator.dds.state.ma.us/Home/LookupByCity
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
- MRC Locations https://www.mass.gov/vocational-rehabilitation/locations
Organizations
- Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism flutiefoundation.org/
- Federation for Children with Special Needs http://fcsn.org
- The Arc of Massachusetts http://thearcofmass.org
- Massachusetts Advocates for Children https://www.massadvocates.org/
Publications
- Disability Scoop disabilityscoop.com
- Greater Massachusetts Special Needs and Events: Sped Child and Teen spedchildmass.com
- Exceptional Lives offers a free Resource Directory http://exceptionallives.org
Massachusetts Autism Support Centers
Advocates, Inc./Autism Alliance of Metrowest
Serving the Metrowest region
14 East Central St., Natick, MA 01760
(508) 652-9900
Autism Resource Center
Serving the Central region
71 Sterling Street, West Boylston, MA 01583
508-835-4278
Community Autism Resources
Serving the Southeastern region
33 James Reynolds Rd. Unit C, Swansea, MA 02777
508-379-0371
Autism Connections (a Pathlight Program)
Serving the Western region
116 Pleasant Street; Suite 366, Easthampton, MA 01027
Phone: (413) 529-2428
Toll-free: (800) 892-7003
SNCARC: The Family Autism Center
Serving Norfolk County & Surrounding Areas
789 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, Massachusetts 02090
(781) 762-4001 x310
TILL Autism Support Center
Serving Metro Boston
20 Eastbrook Road, Suite 201, Dedham, MA 02026-2056
(781) 302-4600
Other Massachusetts Resources
The Doug Flutie, Jr., Foundation for Autism
P.O. Box 767, Framingham, MA 01701
1-866-3AUTISM
Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE)
51 Water Street, Suite 206, Watertown, MA 02472
617-393-3824
The Autism Support Center at Charles River
Paul D. Merritt Building
59 East Militia Heights Road, Needham, MA 02492
781-972-1000
Autism Society of America, Massachusetts Chapter
c/o Autism Services Association
47 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
781-237-0272 x17
Advocates for Autism in Massachusetts (AFAM)
217 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453
781- 891-6270
Massachusetts Advocates for Children
100 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116
617-357-8431
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