County resource guide
Dukes County, Massachusetts
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Dukes County. Massachusetts statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
7 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Oak Bluffs
Martha's Vineyard Hospital — Pediatric Referral (telehealth / ferry required)
Martha's Vineyard Hospital provides general pediatric care for Dukes County but does not offer comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations on-island. Families must either travel by ferry (45 minutes to Woods Hole) to access Boston Children's Hospital, Lurie Center, or Cape Cod Healthcare, or use telehealth for initial consultations. Planning ahead is essential.
No comprehensive autism evaluation available on-island. Most families use telehealth for initial consultation, then ferry to Cape Cod Healthcare (Hyannis) or Boston for full evaluations. Plan well in advance.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Oak Bluffs
Martha's Vineyard Early Intervention — Island Program
Early Intervention services for Dukes County children 0–3 under IDEA Part C are provided through a local island-based program. Free evaluations and in-home services including speech and developmental therapy are available for eligible children. This is the most accessible service pathway for island families.
FREE under IDEA Part C. EI is typically the most accessible early-support option for island families — providers come to you. Call immediately for children under 3.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Edgartown
Telehealth ABA — Island Families (via mainland MA providers)
In-person ABA therapy is not available on Martha's Vineyard. Families on the island primarily access behavioral support through telehealth ABA services from mainland MA providers, supplemented by whatever school-based services the Vineyard school district provides. The MA ABA insurance mandate applies to island families as well.
On-island ABA providers do not exist. Telehealth ABA is the primary option. Your child's school district (MVRSD) may offer ABA-based support through the IEP — request it in writing.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Edgartown · multi-county
Autism Society of Massachusetts — Cape & Islands / Dukes County
Island families in Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) connect to the broader Cape & Islands autism parent community through the Autism Society of Massachusetts. Most in-person programming is on the Cape (Barnstable County), accessible by ferry. Telehealth peer support groups are available year-round.
Geographic isolation on Martha's Vineyard makes telehealth support groups especially valuable. Ferry access to Cape Cod programming is possible seasonally.
Nantucket · multi-county
Autism Society of Massachusetts — Nantucket / Cape & Islands
Nantucket families connect to the broader Cape & Islands autism parent community through the Autism Society of Massachusetts. Most in-person programming is on the Cape. Telehealth peer support groups are available year-round and are the most practical peer-connection option for island families.
Geographic isolation makes telehealth peer groups especially valuable. Autism Society MA can connect you to mainland families and online community.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Edgartown · multi-county
Federation for Children with Special Needs — Dukes County IEP Support
Massachusetts's federally funded PTI center serves Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) families at no cost by phone and virtual appointment. Essential for island families navigating the Martha's Vineyard Regional School District's special education system and understanding IDEA rights.
FREE. Phone and virtual appointments — no ferry trip required for IEP advocacy support. Critical resource for island families dealing with a small school district.
Nantucket · multi-county
Federation for Children with Special Needs — Nantucket IEP Support
Massachusetts's federally funded PTI center serves Nantucket families at no cost by phone and virtual appointment. IEP advocacy and special education rights support for families navigating the Nantucket Public Schools system. No ferry trip needed — all support is available remotely.
FREE. Phone and virtual only — no travel required. Nantucket families deal with a very small school district; having an advocate who knows MA special education law is essential.
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