Early Intervention in Massachusetts is a statewide, integrated, developmental service available to families of children between birth and three years of age. Children may be eligible for EI if they have developmental difficulties due to identified disabilities, or if typical development is at risk due to certain birth or environmental circumstances.
Once your child has been referred, you and your child have rights which follow you throughout your involvement with Early Intervention. These rights are required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Early Intervention staff will review these rights with you in your native language unless it is clearly not possible. The EI staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have:
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/early-intervention-division
Printable Guide
This brochure provides information about what happens when a child involved with Early Intervention (EI) approaches age 3, and may need special education and related services from the local school district.
Resource Guide for Children Aged Three with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PDF)
Resource Guide for Children Aged Three with Autism Spectrum Disorder: CHINESE (PDF)
Resource Guide for Children Aged Three with Autism Spectrum Disorder: HAITIAN (PDF)
Resource Guide for Children Aged Three with Autism Spectrum Disorder: PORTUGUESE (PDF)
Resource Guide for Children Aged Three with Autism Spectrum Disorder: SPANISH (PDF)
Resource Guide for Children Aged Three with Autism Spectrum Disorder: VIETNAMESE (PDF)
Quick Links
Autism Speaks (100 day tool kit)
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/100-day-kit
Autism Support Centers
The mission of the Autism support centers, which are funded by The Department of Developmental Services, is to provide support for children, and adults with ASD, and their families throughout Massachusetts. The Autism support centers offer trainings, workshops, and activities to help connect families and help them to enable their children and adults with ASD to be integrated members of their communities. The link and the list below will guide you to the support center closest to your community.
www.mass.gov/info-details/dds-autism-support-centers-0
The Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver
The children’s autism Medicaid waiver is a program that provides intensive in-home and other services to children with autism. Families must apply for these services. Eligible children must be: 1) Medicaid eligible; 2) ages 0-8; and 3) at risk of institutionalization now or at some point in the future. The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). At certain dates, DDS opens the application process for the program. There are a limited number of program slots. For more information on the
Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver
You can link to information on the DDS Autism Services Waiver at http://www.mass.gov/.
- Mass. Advocates for Children, Autism Center, http://massadvocates.org/autism/
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DDS Autism Waiver Service Program (AWP) Open Interest Period 2021 | Mass.gov: https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-autism-waiver-service-program-awp-open-interest-period-2021
Insurance
The Massachusetts Autism Insurance Law (ARICA): ARICA requires health insurers in Massachusetts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is important to note that not all private insurance plans are required to follow the Massachusetts law requiring insurance to cover autism treatment. If you have private health insurance you will need to ask your insurance company what coverage exists in your policy for autism treatment, including coverage for ABA services and AAC devices. https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/12/08/ARICA-FAQs-10-15-2015-Accessible.pdf
The Autism Insurance Resource Center, part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School
The Autism Insurance Resource Center provides information, technical assistance, trainings, webinars, and other resources for consumers, providers, educators, employers, and others on issue related to medical insurance for autism treatment. www.massairc.org
MassHealth Services
MassHealth or Mass CommonHealth
MassHealth (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 million Massachusetts children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/masshealth/
MassHealth customer service 1-800-841-2900
If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, they may be eligible for Applied Behavior Analysis Services (ABA), alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices, personal care attendant (PCA) services, or the children’s behavioral health initiative (CBHI) through MassHealth.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Children under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with autism and are covered by MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth and Family Assistance are entitled to medically necessary ABA services. Coverage is also available to members who have MassHealth as secondary insurance.
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (ACC) Devices
Addition to insurance coverage for ABA services, the new law expands MassHealth coverage for medically necessary Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. In the past, MassHealth covered AAC devices but did not cover electronic tablets, such as iPads, used for AAC. MassHealth now covers electronic tablets dedicated to use as AAC, along with related software, when medically necessary for communication. https://www.mass.gov/media/1869921/download
PCA Services from MassHealth
The PCA Program is a MassHealth program that helps people with permanent or chronic disabilities keep their independence, stay in the community, and manage their own personal care by providing funds to hire personal care attendants (PCAs). The PCA consumer (the person receiving PCA services) is the employer of the PCA, and is fully responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, training, and, if necessary, firing PCAs. www.mass.gov/masshealth-personal-care-attendant-pca-program
Family Ties
https://www.massfamilyties.org/
Health and Human Services
www.mass.gov/dph/earlyintervention
Mass. Act Early
http://www.maactearly.org/
Massachusetts Act Early - 1, 2, 3, Grow!”
A TV program about early childhood development for families of young children in 8 languages and cultures available on cable television stations across Massachusetts and on YouTube, starting in Spring 2018.
The program hosts, physicians and parents of young children who speak on these shows represent the languages and cultures of their audiences: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. There is also a show in English focused on African-American concerns.
Using videos and advice from pediatricians and parents, the shows share information about healthy development and signs of concerns, and share where to get free resources and referrals to local providers in Massachusetts.