County resource guide
Nantucket County, Massachusetts
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Nantucket County. Massachusetts statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
7 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Nantucket
Nantucket Cottage Hospital — Pediatric Referral (telehealth / ferry/flight required)
Nantucket Cottage Hospital provides primary care for the island but cannot offer comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations. Families must travel by ferry (2–2.5 hours to Hyannis) or flight to reach Cape Cod Healthcare, Boston Children's Hospital, or other diagnostic centers. Telehealth consultations for initial assessment are strongly recommended before planning travel.
No autism diagnostic services on-island. Start with a telehealth consultation from Boston Children's or Cape Cod Healthcare before planning travel. The ferry to Hyannis is 2+ hours; flights are available seasonally.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Nantucket
Nantucket Early Intervention — Island-Based IDEA Part C Services
Early Intervention services for Nantucket County children 0–3 under IDEA Part C. Free evaluations and in-home services for eligible infants and toddlers are provided locally on the island. EI is the most accessible developmental support pathway for Nantucket families with young children.
FREE under IDEA Part C. EI providers come to you on the island — this is the most practical early intervention pathway. Call immediately for any child under 3 with developmental concerns.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Nantucket
Telehealth ABA — Nantucket Island Families
In-person ABA therapy is not available on Nantucket. Island families rely on telehealth ABA services from mainland MA providers and whatever behavioral programming the Nantucket Public Schools provide through the IEP. The MA ABA insurance mandate applies to Nantucket families and can fund telehealth sessions.
No on-island ABA providers. Telehealth is the only option beyond school-based services. Push your child's IEP team to include behavioral support goals — school services are your primary local resource.
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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