360 West Boylston Street, Suite 204
West Boylston, MA 01583
Phone: 508-595-9101
Fax: 508-854-8148
E-mail: Autism@HMEA.mhs.compuserve.com
The Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts was created in 1996 by a group of parents to serve primarily as an information and referral service for children and families affected by autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s or other related disorders. It was developed to serve the Central Region of DMR along with the Middlesex West and Newton-South Norfolk areas (approximately 90 towns). This program is funded by the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) and administered by Horace Mann Educational Associates, Inc. The Autism Resource Center is a family governed project and is directed by a Family Steering Committee comprised of parents representing the different geographical areas within the service region.
Education, networking, and technology assistance are other vital services the center provides. It is designed to help parents, educators, service providers, and medical professionals effectively deal with the disability. The Autism Resource Center does not recommend any single program or treatment that would benefit individuals with autism. The diversity of children with autism makes the decision-making process in choosing an effective program a very individual one.
Resource Library: Families can preview or borrow books, video and audio tapes, professional journals and educational materials housed in W. Boylston. Books related to autism have also been purchased for the Worcester Public Library and are available through interlibrary loan.
MNIP Access: The Massachusetts Network of Information Providers is a computer data base containing information about programs, resources, and services for children and adults with disabilities. The MNIP includes all agencies in MA, some surrounding areas, and national organizations.
Autism Hotline: Calls will be answered via phone, fax, or E-mail within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Digital Camera and Video Recorder: A video recorder is available for loan to families wishing to videotape their children for educational purposes. A digital camera can be used to create communication boards and other educational materials.
Quarterly Newsletter: A publication featuring stories of interest to families, articles written by families, a Q & A column, information updates, and scheduled seminars is sent out four times a year. Call the Autism Resource Center to be added to our mailing list.
Database: A database for the Central Region has been created. The center can match parents to parents within communities. Eventually, it will serve as the basis for a phone tree.
Helping Hands: Creation of a volunteer bank where families can offer service to others in their areas of expertise and in turn receive support in another area.
Support Groups: The Autism Resource Center offers both sibling and parents support groups in areas where they are needed.
Family Education Series: Training sessions focused on family identified needs will be offered in various locations.
Advocacy Education: Formal and informal training mechanisms will be established for families.
Best Practice Series: Families, educators, physicians, and therapists will be invited to discuss successful approaches and the newest developments in the autism field.
Annual Family Conference: An informational conference to be held in the Worcester area.
Family Fun Activities: The center sponsors holiday parties and outings to provide positive social activities for parents, children and siblings in a supportive environment.
Individuals with autism usually have at least half of the traits listed below. Intensity and severity can vary from symptom to symptom, which is why autism is often referred to as a spectrum disorder. The behavior usually occurs across many different situations and is consistently inappropriate for their age.
Autism is a developmental disability that appears sometime during the first three years of life. Autism is the third most common developmental disability in the U.S. affecting an estimated 400,000 people. It occurs in approximately 15 of every 10,000 individuals and is four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
From 290 west, take 190 north (Fitchburg). Take Exit 4 (W. Boylston, Rte. 12) and turn left. Make an immediate left into the CVS Plaza parking lot. Center is on the 2nd floor with access through the door next to J&J News.