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Local Resources
LifeLinks
Lifelinks offers a variety of programs for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Greater Lowell area.
Lowell Public Schools Resources
Lowell Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council
e-mail: Lowellspedpac@aol.com
Lowell Public Schools Special Education Home Page
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – Lowell
55 Techology Drive, Suite 202
Lowell, MAÂ 01851
978-322-4300
DDS Northeast Region Adult Autism Resource Guide (online)
NAMI Greater Lowell
PO Box 692
Tyngsboro, MAÂ 01879
978-677-0618
namigreaterlowell@yahoo.com
Northeast Arc – Autism Support Center
6 Southside Rd.
Danvers, MAÂ 01923
978-777-9135
Northeast Arc is the DDS-funded Center for the northeast region, which includes Lowell and the surrounding communities. They offer activities and events to families living with autism. They help parents find the services and supports, offer support groups, workshops and more. This agency offers in-home services, early intervention, recreation, employment and more.
Paul Center for Learning and Recreation, Inc.
39 Concord Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
978-256-4396
Provides services for people with special needs and their families including workshops, respite and vacation programs, and more.
South Bay Community Services
Lowell Early Childhood Services
Early Intervention
1-800-244-4691
Provides screenings, referrals, services, and support for children birth to age three and their families
Thom Anne Sullivan Center
126 Phoenix Ave.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 453-8331
Provides screenings, referrals, services and support for children birth to age three and their families
Parent Support Group
These free meetings are open to anyone parenting a child or adolescent with behavioral or mental health special needs.
The meetings are held in Lowell on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 6 PM – 7:45 PM. Contact for location.
RSVP: Nancy Collier, Family Support Specialist, at 508-668-5739 or at ncollier@eliotchs.org.
www.ppal.net
This program is a collaboration between MSPCC, PPAL, CTI and DMH
Spanish Language Support Group
Family and Youth Initiative
130 Parker St., Lawrence
Meets 3rd Friday of the month
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Contact: Gloria Ricardi Castillo at 978-624-2320 or gcastillo@ne-arc.org
Transition Planning Group
Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the month from 6 PM – 7:45 PM.
CTI Lowell
126 Phoenix Ave., 3rd Floor, Room 3
RSVP: Nancy Collier, 508-688-5739 or ncollier@mspcc.org
www.ppal.net
In Collaboration: CTI, MSPCC & PPAL
UMASS Lowell Center for Autism Research and Education (CARE)
The center promotes interdisciplinary research involving UMASS Lowell students. The center also offers workshops and programs about ASD open to the public. CARE also offers various services for individuals with ASD and their families such as an Autism Support Group for parents, a monthly social networking program for young adults, and a group for UMASS students who have ASD.
State and New England Resources
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity
51 Water St., Suite 206
Watertown, MAÂ 02472
617-393-3824
AANE works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Autism.
The Autism Insurance Resource Center
800-642-0249
info@disabilityinfo.org
The center provides information for families, providers, clinicians, employers, and educators on issues related to medical insurance for autism treatment
Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism
The goal of the foundation is to help families affected by autism live life to the fullest.
They offer various programs that support families, from programs, to assistance finding resources, as well as financial assistance for resources.
Exceptional Lives
This online database allows people to search for special needs resources by state. The database also provides free personalized how-to guides.
Family TIES (Together in Enhancing Support) of Massachusetts
A statewide network of information and support for families of children with disabilities.
Northeast Office
978-851-7261 X4018
800-905-8437
email: debra.candeloro@state.ma.us
Lurie Center for Autism
1 Maguire Road
Lexington, MAÂ 02421
781-860-1700
The center provides treatment for children, adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum.
Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Autism Center
25 Kingston St., 2nd Floor
Boston, MAÂ 02111
617-357-8431
The Autism Center works with elected official and partners to create laws and regulations to ensure that children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have access to the services and resources they need in order to reach their full potential.
The center also provides training to parents about state services and programs to help their children as well as their legal rights to obtain these services.
Massachusetts Sibling Support Network
MSSN provides support and resources to siblings of people with disabilities
MassMATCH
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington St.
Boston, MAÂ 02111
877-508-3974
info@massmatch.org
Promotes the use of assistive technology and services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities.
New England Center for Children
33 Turnpike Rd.
Southborough, MA 01772
508-481-1015
http://www.necc.org
Offers a huge array of programs for youth on the spectrum including at home services as well as a residential program
SPED Child and Teen Newsletter
http://spedchildmass.com/newsletters
Monthly online newsletter about state and New England services for special needs families.
Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids
An online resource of services and providers
YouthCare
Massachusetts General Hospital
15 Green Street, Third Floor
Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 726-0060
Fax: (617) 726-0064
www.2.massgeneral.org/youthcare
This is a program of Massachusetts General Hospital. It provides children on the autism spectrum opportunities to learn and work on social skills.
National Resources
ASPEN
Asperger Syndrome Education Network
Autism Cares
http://www.autismcares.org/site/c.mqLOIYOBKlF/b.4745901/k.BD21
Autism Cares provides financial assistance for ASD families who are struggling with cost of living issues. Those needed help must complete an online application.
Autism Resources: A Complete Guide for Parents of Autistic Children
https://doodlebuckets.com/kids/disabilities/autism
This resource is part of the Doodle Buckets online resource.
Autism Society of America
Childnett.tv
http://www.childnett.tv
Former pro football player, Dan Marino, has a son with Autism. This site is primarily funded with resources from the Dan Marino Foundation. It contains various online video resources about ASD for families and also those who work in the autism field.
Financial Planning for Special Needs Children
The web page, the Simple Dollar, has an article about financial planning for special needs children.
OAR was founded in 2001 by seven individuals whose lives and families had been affected by autism. OAR’s mission is to apply science to address the challenges of autism. This site includes information about autism as well as resources for families, educators, and researchers.
OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) @ MAAP
http://aspergersyndrome.org
Information about Asperger Syndrome and Autism. Contains articles, links, and many more resources
Sensory Smart Parent
http://www.sensorysmartparent.com
This online resource is for parents and caregivers of kids with sensory issues. Often kids on the autism spectrum do have sensory challenges and this web site provides tips and advice.
Sibling Support Project
http://www.siblingsupport.org
This group is dedicated to the concerns of siblings of those with special issues, whether they be physical, developmental or mental health.
Understood
Understood is an organization whose purpose is to provide resources for special needs people and their supporters to help them navigate the world.
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy
http://www.wrightslaw.com
This is an online special education law site.
Keeping People with Autism Safe
This site about keeping loved ones with autism safe was recommended by Mary from Seattle. Although the site is a home improvement site, it provided much excellent information about autism and safety including many resources.
Keeping Your Autistic Kids Safe at Home (from the website Home Advice)
Major Vision Centers Treating Children with Developmental Disabilities (from Children’s Vision Massachusetts)
Boston Children’s Hospital
300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Ph: (617)-355-6401
(Also satellite locations)
Boston Medical Center
Department of Ophthalmology
850 Harrison Ave 3rd Floor,
Boston, MA 02118
Ph: (617) 414-4020
(Also satellite locations)
Cotting School
453 Concord Ave,
Lexington, MA 02421
Ph: (781) 862-7323, Extension 111
MCPHS University School of Optometry
10 Lincoln Square, Worcester, MA 01608
Ph: (508) -373-5830
NECO Center for Eye Care
930 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Ph: (617)-262-2020
Perkins School for the Blind
175 N Beacon St, Watertown, MA 02472
Ph: (617) 924-3434
New England Eye Center
Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington Street, #450
Boston, MA 02111
Ph: 617-636-6769
(also satellite locations)
UMass Memorial Eye Center
281 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01605
Ph: (508)-334-6855
Other resources:
Eye Doctors in MA serving Children with
Intellectual Disability: (from Children’s Vision Massachusetts: DDS Resource List for Eye Care Providers)
Assistive Technologies
10 Best Assistive Tech Apps for Children with Autism
DailyWireless reviewed apps that could be utilized by people on the autism spectrum.
Financial Planning
Financial and Estate Planning for Children With Special Needs
From Moneygeek
Financial Planning Resources for Special Needs Parents and Families
From Fiscal Tiger
Other Online Resources
A Guide to Moving with Children Who Have Autism
Moving can be stressful for anyone. Here is an online guide from a website that provides online resources related to moving. This site includes information about helping people on the spectrum cope with a move.
Resource Guide for Seniors on the Autism Spectrum
This guide covers the following:
– Symptoms of autism in older adults
– Challenges faced by older adults on the spectrum
– Support for older adults with autism and their caregivers, and more.